Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-07
Opportunity for a Good Deed.

Now that conferences have begun on
the revised Dale-Lehlbach hberaliZeo
retirement measure, the usual funeral
bells are tolling and pessimistic predic-
tions are being made as to the outcome
There is no reason to take a gloomy
view of the situation. The conferees
held their first meeting on Thursday
and after a two-hour discussion ad-
iourned without agreeing on date TO
meet again. This may have explained
the statements that the meeting Ibroke
I'D in a row." but there was no row,
and 1t Is probable that the conterees
will meet again this week. In the
meantime, the Senate conferees met
Saturday and planned to meet again
today, going over the involved measure
with actuarial experts. One must re-
member that about the only objections
voiced to the new Lehlbach measure
were based on the fear that 1t was too
complicated to invite expeditions action.
The Senate conferees are making them
the Dale bill, and there is every reason
to believe that after a thorough inter-
change of views with the House men,
bers the conference report will be ready
for action.
The conference on this measure pro-
vides a fine opportunity for bit OF
remedial legislation that has been rec
commended from responsible sources
and in justice to the Government, as
we'll as to relatively few faithful and
skilled employees, should be enacted.
Section of the Lehlbach bill, anc
also the present law, contains the pro-
vision for automatic separation from
the service of employees reaching the
retirement age-as specified for theil
| branch of work-with the exception Of
those who, by reason of efficiency anc
willingness to remain in the service ano
whose continuance in Office would be
advantageous to the Government, are
permitted to continue for four years
more. But after August 20, 1880, nc
employe will be continued in the service
beyond the age of retirement for more
than four years. This provision has
already received exceptional notice
because Of the extraordinary character
of some of the men whom it will affect
Some of the most valued and trusted
employees in the service will go out
Their mental and physical vigor hal
not been impaired by their years o.
work. Their superiors, in probably every
case, desire their continuance in service
| and this desire is not based wholly or
sentiment-though sentiment is nothing
to be despised-but on their actua
value to the service. The case Of DR.
Tindall is perhaps better known thar
others, for DR.. Tindall is a beloved
institution in the municipality. But hi
is only one of others just as deserving
who fill Offices Of even more importance
Special legislation in the case of one
man may not be practicable. But the
conferees on the new retirement legisla-
ton may with perfect propriety amplify
the phraseology to permit OF retention
in the service of specially qualified men
whose work is not learned by rote but
by the ripened experience of years
There are not many of these men. Con-
gress would be safe in resting their
retention in the discretion of their
department heads. Sometimes this
might be embarrassing to the depart
ment heads, requiring the performance
of painful duty. But not often. Life
Is short.