Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-09
/, Charge of Selfishness ON
Retirement Bill Unjust

To the Editor Of The star:
The article in your paper written
by Mr.. j. Erwin Latimer has been read
with much interest, but I must take
issue with him in the statement that
Mr.. Alcorn "is somewhat selfish in his
desire to have all organizations support
the Dale-Lehlbach bill" Nobody who
knows Mr.. Alcorn and his devotion to
the cause could ever accuse him OF
selfish motive.
Mr.. Alcorn Is one Of the best friends
of which Government employees can
boast on retirement matters, and If he
is advocating support OF the Dale
Lef1lbach bill it must be because he
believes that there Is no opportunity
for any other bill to pass at this ses-
sion. You must remember that It was
Mr. Alcorn who obtained SUFFICIENT sig~
natures of Congressman to bring the
retirement bill out of the rules COM
mittee where Chairman Smell had re-
tanned 1t for so long.
know that Mr.. Alcorn Is just as
anxious for the passage of the bill
which the League of American Civil
Service Is sponsoring. granting optional
years Of age, as Is Mr.. Latimer, or any
the rest of us. know that Mr.. Alcorn
desires to see the minimum annuity
raised from 9 cents day to 1865 per
annum and the maximum to S1,5OO
He would like to see employees, who
have retired for disability and who later
recover, restored to q position in the
Government instead of losing all an
nuity as well as their positions If they
eminent service within go days after
recovery from their disability, and If
he believed there was the least chance
for such bill to displace the Dale-Lehl-
bach bill and pass Congress at this ses-
sion am sure he would be using all
his influence to that end.
The Dale-Lehlbach bill Is ready for
immediate passage. It reduces the age
limit to SO optional, but it grants
$1,000 annuity. True, only about 1000
employees will receive the maximum
but even the little bit extra which the
other $4,000 will receive will be life
saver In many cases.
Can we. who are employed, stand In
the way of those poor souls so badly
in need, or shall we be unselfish and
help pass the Dale-Lehlbach bill at
next session with our plea for larger
annuity and optional retirement after
80 years service2
The retirement fund now in the
United States Treasury has reached the
enormous sum of $145,000, 900, and by
July /, 1880, will be over $3.50, 000, 900.
This sum draws 4 per cent compound
interest. Ere long the interest alone
will pay the annuities without touching
the principal Figure it out for your
selves, the actuaries to the contrary
notwithstanding.
The sum contributed by Government
employees. together with the interest,
during the last fiscal year amounted
to $50 ,929, 045, and there was paid out
in annuities, refunds and retirement for
disability the sum of s16,072.472. These
authentic figures show that employees
contributed S16.856,573 more than was
needed to pay all requirements.
We have good reason for asking for
higher annuity ($1,500) and optional
retirement and we believe we have
shown the Congress the necessity for
such legislation and that they are of
q mind to pass such bill at the next
session. They would pass it now only
for the fact that the Dale-Lehlbach
bill has twice passed both houses and
can easily be rushed through at this
time
MARGARET H. wORRELL,
President League Of the
American Civil Service.