Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-09
BY DONALD A. CRAIG.


Striking out boldly In favor of more
radical changes in the civil service re-
tirement law than those proposed
either in the Dale-Lehlbach bill or the
plan of the National Federation of Fed
eral Employees, another organized group
of employees, known as the League of the
American Civil Service, of which Mrs.
Margaret Hopkins Worrell is president,
is asking the House to increase the
maximum annuity to $500 year, to
provide that no annuitant shall receive
less than 1865 a year. or 81 day, and
to liberalize the law in other important
particulars. The bill was passed by
the Senate this week without amend
ment.
Through my work among Govern
ment employees and study of conditions"
Mrs. Worrell says In letter to mem
bers of the House. II believe I may
truthfully say they desire an amend
ment that will effect certain changes in
the retirement act. These changes are
set forth in the inclosed bill"
Mrs. Worrell inclosed a complete
draft of the bill proposed by the league.
ing important changes In the law be
cause of the great suffering, untimely
deaths and some suicides among old
and faithful employees Of our Govern
ment."
An important provision of the bill
sent to members Of Congress by Mrs.
Worrell Is for optional retirement at so
years of age or after 80 years of service.
She contends that not many persons
kaI lua v,ta nf
as most employees desire retention in
the service even after reaching the
age Of 10.
But the knowledge that they can
retire will greatly help in restoring
the morale" declares Mrs. Worren.
This measure also proposes that an
nuities be computed upon basis OF
any five years of allowable serivce-not
the last five years, as provided in the
Dale-Lehlbach bill.
Many Government employees suffer
material reduction in salaries during
the last five years of their service"
explains Mrs. Worrell. while the
Army and Navy raise the salaries of
their personnel during their last years
of service, in order that they may re-
tire on living wage, the salaries OF
the civil service employees are usually
reduced"
Method of Computing.
The provision of the leagues pro-
posed bill dealing with increased an
nuities reads as follows:
THE annuity of an employe retired
under this act shall be computed by
multiplying the average annual basic
salary, pay or compensation, not to
exceed $4,000 per annum, received by
such employe during any five years Of
allowable service at the option of the
employe, by the number of years of
service, not exceeding 80 years, and
dividing the product by 40 In no
| case, however, shall the annuity ex-
coed $500 per annum nor be less than
1866 per annum."
Mrs. Worrell's letter to members of
the House and Senate sets forth in the
| lowing facts which cannot be con-
| troverted." Here are the IL points in
which she sums up the case for the
Government employees, as seen by the
league she represents:
Il. The annuity now in the United
States Treasury has reached the enor-
nous sum of $l44 100000, and by July
/ /. 1880, will in all probability exceed
$50, 900, 600
%. This sum draws per cent COM
| pound interest, but even at a fixed
straight 4 per cent rate the interest
would amount to $4,000 900 per annum,
which is almost half the sum that was
| paid out Of the fund during the last
! fiscal year.
| -. Government employees during the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1929. con-
| tributed Through 3l2 per cent reduce
/ ton from their salaries every two
weeks the sum of S28,4822 PSF to the
retirement fund, which, together with
| the interest, totaled $32,929.045. The
! Government made its first contribution
/ of s19,950,0o0.
"A. There was paid out in annuities,
refunds and retirement for disability
! during the last fiscal year the sum of
S16,072,472 leaving a surplus of $16,-
! 856.572 contributed by employees over
and above the demand.
1902 Draw Maximum.
IS. Out of the total number on the
retirement roll 15,383) only 1902 draw
the maximum (now 81 900 per annum)
while 1901 draw very much less. About
5000 draw less than $500 per annum
about 600 draw less than $500 per an
mum, number even less than 500 per
annum and one ~$34.44 per an
mum, or a little over 9'eents day.
IS. Persons entering the service al
the age of 20 years must serve SO years