Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-14
A Plea for Justice to
Elder u. S. Workers

To the Editor OF The Star:
The matter of retirement with a
monetary allowance for Government
employees will never be arranged so it
will suit everybody, which includes all
of the citizens of the United States, be-
cause If we are not affected as a bene-
ficiary We are interested as a benefac-
tor.
1t is the public money that is provid-
ing for the benefits, whether it is taken
directly from the Treasury or paid to
the employees as wages and then a per-
centage deducted from their salary for
the purpose of establishing capital TO
pay to the ones entitled to the same.
The folks getting the large salaries
supply the largest amount to the fund,
but it seems that they are better able to
do that because after the kitty has
been fed" they have a larger stake on
hand. In other words, they are winners
both ways, because they have more SAL
airy while employed and larger allow
ance when retired.
This is fact, and it is to be hoped
that no class war will be started by
mentioning it, because We cannot all be
first-class passengers in the Ship of
State; some have to accept and fill
lower berths, while others have to do
hard manual labor so it will be a har-
moniouS crew and so that our captain
in the White House may steer us safely
through his administration.
The rank and file of the Government
employees were not elected to office, and
have to depend upon their friends I'M
der the big white dome to look out for
them l believe that legislators are APP
preciative of the work that is being
done by us and will provide more lib
orally until at least half are satisfied.
fhiE ic q frHy ~ for1 "A
will have to go at that. But do not wait
too long, for the majority will grow
greater every day.
Those who are so fortunate as to have
Government job have fulfilled certain
requirements before they enter the serv-
Ice. There are legal residence allotments
according to States. Then some merits
are justly granted individuals who have
served the country in other ways. Then
there are the physical and the mental
tests. Then you have to meet some
petty chief and make a hit with him
before you can get anywhere, provided,
OF course. all the preliminaries of the
civil service examination have been sue
cessfully passed.
Now there are lots of folks who have
tried. and are trying each day, to secure
public job. A few succeed, but
greater number fail. It is to be hoped
a
JOB elsewhere, and that they are still
our friends and will help us to better
our condition.
There was a time, it is said. when
Government jobs went begging for ap-
pIlcantS to fill them. Can you imagine
that? Then there was some talk of let
ting clerical positions out by contract:
to be awarded to the lowest bidders per
annum in real money
Mona 81
account Of their good looks, although
there are some handsome specimens.
both male and female, on the Govern
ment rolls Some leave the service for
better things, they have our best wishes.
IL is well known that when a Struc-
lure begins to weaken on account of de-
terlorating material it is time to do
something. If the wornout Government
| employe cannot compete with the newer
and perhaps more capable help, do not
retlre the inefficient worker with an in
| adequate allowance
whether they were paid $1,000 or
| $4,000 year was not always their own
tault, but the fault of system, and it
! now seems the time to correct one of
| the bad features of the system bv lib-
eralizing the retirement law.
Lawmakers have our sincere thanks
| for what has already been done. and
VIII earn the gratitude of many persons
II they will succeed in improving some
deplorable and many pitiful cases now
depending upon a pittance to support
| them.
Now give us law so that we can all
be thankful upon how human and lust
we are to our retired Government
| servants.
! 1t would take the wisdom of Solomon
ana the Wit and eloquence of Shake
speare to submit proper brief in this
case. But let us depend upon the fair
sense OF justice of our Senators and
Representatives in Congress and the
! sanction of our President for fair deal
Tor the Government employe, for salary
While employed and allowance to live
upon when retired from work.
! A very few could not properly pro-
vide for themselves if they had many
times their present salary and worked
Tor 80 years. So Uncle Sam steps in to
provide for them as he will eventually
| look out for all. He is slow sometimes.
put always sure to secure justice for his
people.
Nobody seems to object seriously to
the proposition for better conditions.
Please let US have speedy action
CHARLES j. SIMPSON.
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