Evening star., 1926-06-02
Mediation Urged as Session
Nears Close Without
Any Legislation.
STANFIELD EXPLAINS
MOVE is UP TO HOUSE
Refusal Of That Body to Accept
Any Of Senate Bills Features
Held Cause of Delay.

Oh IcGlSiAIlOu 10 IlDSt8nEc
the retirement law for Federal en-
ployes, becoming alarmed at the in
ability on the part Of the Senate and
House leaders to reach an agreement.
are now looking to the President to
save the situation at this session of
Congress.
The House leadership has made il
evident that 1t will not agree to
conference with the Senate unless
the latter gives assurance.beforehaHd
that such a conference would result
in bill providing annuities and age
limits corresponding with those In the
Lchlbach bill. which passed the
House, and precisely the same in the
other major features.
The Stanfield bill, which passed the
Senate and which Is not acceptable to
the House leadership, provides for
$1,000 maximum annual pension for
retired employees and a 65.year age for
voluntary retirement. The Lehlbach
bill which in reality is the plan offered
by Gen. Lord. director Of the Budget.
and approved by President Coolidge.
provides for a $1,000 maximum an
nuity and a 70-year age limit for vol
untary retirement.
Oppose Further Liberalization.
1nasmuch as the House bill as pas
sed was virtually drafted by the Presi-
dent. the leadership of that body Is
resolute in refusing to entertain any
ideas looking toward making the re-
tirement act more liberal, as would be
done by the Senate bill. The leaders
explain that their position is taken as
a result Of the views Of the President
and his insistance that the liberaliza-
ton be kept down to the figures con-
tained In the House bill.
With the possibility of this legisla
ton remaining in its present inactive
state as a result Of the attitude of the
House leadership, the President has
been asked to use his influence in
bringing the leaders in question to an
understanding that will result in the
enactment Of hberalized retirement
legislation during the brief remaining
time Of this session.
As q result Of talks the President
has had within the past few days with
several party leaders Of the Senate
and House, Senator Stanfield of
Oregon. who has sponsored this legis-
lation in the Senate, was called to the
White House today for a conference.
Waiting for House to Act.
The Senator said afterward that he
outlined the position Of the legislation
so far as the Senate Is concerned, and
described the attitude Of the members
of his committee who have been han
ding the measure He said he told
the President that the Senate has
been awaiting some word from the
House regarding its intentions, but TO
date nothing had been received from
the House that would indicate that
that body would accept the Senate bill
or that 1t desired the matter to go 10
conference.
Indications are. however, that. fol
lowing his interview with President
Coolidge today, Senator Stanfield will
suggest to his committee members
that the President is anxious to have
this matter disposed of and that he
is insistent upon the Lord plan, which
is embodied In the House bill. beins
enacted. Senator Stanield made no
secret Of the fact that he gained the
impression that the President does not
favor the bill passed by the Senate
and thinks that 1t would be unwise
to enact 1t into law at this time. 1t
was inferred that the President let
Senator Stanfield know that 1t would
others of the civil service committee
would not insist upon the House con
sidering their bill. and would give
assurance to the House that II they
70 into conference 1t will be with
the understanding that they Will
agree to a bill the same. or very SIM
liar, to the measure passed by the
House.
Senator Stanfield's bill is estimated
by experts to increase annuities to
such an extent that the cost to the
Federal Government would be more
than 5000, 900 in excess Of the cost
under the House BILL which would be
practically the same as under the ex
listing retirement law.
Provides Greater Contributions.
The Stanfield bill also provides for
contributions Of 4 per cent from the
salaries Of employees. whereas the
House bill provides for contributions
of 31A per cent.
Senator Stanfield gave the irnpres-
sion that he and the President went
into the retirement question as it
stands today in considerable detail.
and while the President made 1t very
plain that he Is anxious to have the
House bill enacted. he did not say out,
right that he would not sign liberal
ized retirement bill II. when 1t reaches
him finally. the liberalization features
are slightly In excess or rnose In the
House bill.
Those who have been working in
the interests Of liberalized retire
ment were becoming worried at the
time being lost by Congress In dis
posing of the matter definitely after
both houses have passed hberaliza-
ton bills. Because Of the positive
stands taken by advocates of the
legislation in the House and the
Senate. it was beginning to appear as
though they would be unable to iron
out their differences Of opinion and
get together in time to save this leg
islation from becoming lost in the
last minute shufYie Of this session.
It Is thought. however, by those who
are anxious to see this legislation
enacted as soon as possible that
since the President has let the SEN
ate know his attitude and his de-
sires the whole matter will now be
cleared up and the legislation en-
acted before adjournment.