Evening star., 1934-12-02
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY

BY WILL r. hENNEDf
The United States service is about
to lose one of its grand old men, who
for 40 years has been proud of his
Job as In the days when "Knighthood
Was in Flower" had he been "in the
Kings command"-John s. Beach,
who on January / will be retired for
age. He will be 10 years old on
Tuesday.
In the retirement Of this man all
Government employees lose tried and
true friend, who has been known as
the father Of the retirement law
and who for nearly Is years has
worked earnestly and effectively for
the betterment of each of them.
During Mr.. Beach's incumbency as
chief of the Retirement Division, Bu-
reau of Pensions, and chief Of the
Retirement Subdivision, Veterans Ad-
ministration, covering period OF a
little more than IA years, there were
64,506 employees retired, Of whom
19,o30 were dropped for death or
other causes, leaving 45,476 annuitants
on the rolls August 81. last.
When Mr.. Beach was selected by
the commissioner Of pensions as the
chief Of the Retirement Division, i'm
mediately following the passage Of
the original act Of May %, 1920, he
had only desk and copy Of the
law to begin with. From that humble
start has grown an activity where now
there are 100 employees engaged upon
retirement work.
During the past year or two Mr..
Beach's health has not been good,
due in part to advancing years, and
also to the fact that he has worked
for more than so years, of which 40
were in the Government service.
After his retirement on January he
plans to spend several months in
Florida recuperating and then go
back to his native State, New York,
and establish residence with his
daughter. near Albany. II his
health permits he would like to en-
gage in writing articles dealing with
his experiences in the Government
service. and particularly with the
subject so dear to his heart-retire-
ment Of Government employees, in
which he took such an active part.
Mr.. Beach became identified with
the Federal Employees Union almost
Immediately after its organization in
March, 1916. He was elected mem
ber of the first Executive Committee.
Subsequently he was made chairman
Of the Committee on Retirement and
in that capacity was instrumental in
drafting retirement bill which was
introduced by Senator Wadsworth Of
New York in the Senate and Repre-
sentative Dale Of Vermont In the
House, In February, 1917. From that
time until the original retirement law
was enacted. May %, 1920, he was
most active in support Of the proposed
legislation.
Mr.. Beach was detailed from the
Bureau of Pensions to the Congress
sional Joint Commission on ReclaSsifi-
cation of Salaries, and served as a
statistical clerk from June l6, 1919, to
March IL, 1920. Following the termi-
nation of this detail he returned to his
regular position in the Bureau Of Pen
Sions.
In addition to hts Government serv-
ice Mr.. Beach was for many years ac-
tive in organization, civic and fra
ternal work. He was made Mason
in 1887 and filled many positions of
honor in the fraternity, notably as
high priest Of Mount Vernon Chapter,
No. 3, r. A. NJ, and commander Of
Washington Commandery No. l, K. T.
He is a nonresident member of the
Cornell Hook and Ladder Company
of New Baltimore, N. Y.