The Washington times., 1926-03-27
Will Congress Dodge a Just Duty
TO Government Workers?

Now comes the ominous Republican leaders Of the
House may postpone liberalization of retirement annues to
Government employees grounds Of alleged economy briefly
might put in position where he would have
pay dollars of his pockets to give retired
workers halfway living annuity.
It is even limited somebody has given President Cool
idge the idea that liberalization of retirement might IN
volve Government extent and that the Pres
dent favorable amending the present law IS now
somewhat cool toward it.
Congress fails to do right and just thing in
this case it will deserve severest condemnation
There are people still speak of these measy annutes
TO old and faithful pensions by the Government
No matter what the indirect obligations of the Government
may be in managing this annuity trust fund for its own en-
poye that the United States has not
directly appropriated penny toward paying these annue
though as the largest employer of and in the
United States should generously set the example Of aiding
in provision the last years Of its workers.
The great Government United States stands practical
~ among large nations of the world too measy to
care what happens and who have given their
lives to its service.
There is at present in the retirement fund surplus Of far
over $40oOOO00 huge surplus has been accumulated
under the present law which compe deductions Of 2h per
cent from the salaries employees The original Lehbach
and Sterling bills which would increase the highest annual
annutes Of $720 per year 200 and the lower annuies
proporOnaey require deductions from salaries Of sa per
cent meet the increased cost
Actuaries and experts odds exactly what the
increased would but ont Of the Of differences
seems clear under circumstances would the Govern
ent have contribute penny toward annues for many
years come, ever.
therefore bitterly unjust that party leaders in
Congress should permit this economy cry stand in the
Of doing the right thing by supeannuated employees who are
being taken Of by the money contributed BY fellow
pOyes
And though Is admitted that the Government has not
directly paid any money into the retirement fund.- is con-
tended by all experts that benefits the
many thousands Of dollars by the retirement
o old and and the substitution in their places Of
young and active Private industry banks business in
stituons with pension plans Of found retire
profitable thing because replaces increasing inef
ficiency with efficiency.
Technically the Government does pay the annuties but
collects that money from employees None Of from
the taxpayers Of the country Yet the Government did
have 60 into its pockets to replace the nefency Of old
age with the efficiency Of youth it would still be financial
gamer
The unpleasant truth that politicians in Congress are
coWard When they for reelection they fear that
opponents viii spring the that they voted for
for Government employees and that win be difficult for them
TO explain that these pensions paid from funds collected
from employees though they should be able to show that far
the Government has appropriated thin dime toward
making more pleasant the last Of its faithful workers