Evening star., 1942-02-10

Don't Use Pensions,
Roosevelt Solution
Of Congress TangIe
Advises Ignoring Of
Benefits; Romspeck
Defends Retirement

President Roosevelt suggested
at a press conference this after
noon that members of Congress
might find q safe way out of the
embarrassment Of receiving pen
sions-by not applying for them.
Questioned about recently enacted
legislation that would permit the
pensioning of legislators, the Pres
ident laughingly remarked that .
friend had advised him he could draw
the pension himself by paying a few
dollars per year and eventually
draw $37 500. It would be q good
investment, he added with . broad
smile.
Asked If he would sign q repeal
bill. he said that would depend on
how the measure was phrased.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that. he had
been under the New York State re-
tirement plan during his four years
as Governor, but that he had been
given . refund Of the premiums paid
and is not now eligible to draw .
pension.
,Ramspeck States Views.
At the Capitol, Chairman Rams
peck OF the House Civil Service
Committee defended on the House
floor this afternoon the new Gov
eminent employe retirement law he
sponsored which provides pensions
for members Of Congress.
He declared the legislators, who
have deluged both House and Sen
ate with bills to repeal pensions
for Congressman" feature Of the re-
tirement act, were "unduly excited"
and charged that newspaper reports
Of the plan had been distorted"
IF the facts are known, I am sat
isfied the people of the country vii.
see the justice in the action that
Congress took" he declared.
Cites Supporting Editorials.
Mr.. Ramspeck cited editorials
from q number of newspapers in
dorsing pensions for members OF
Congress, and added that some of
the opposition to the plan is coming
from certain interests" who hope to
destroy the Nations social security
system. q
Despite the activities of these
certain interests" Mr.. Ramspeck
predicted Congress would eventually
extend the system to provide old-age
security for every person in the
country.
Representative Case. Republican,
Of South Dakota, did not agree with
Mr.. Ramspeck, however. He told
the House that contrary" to Rep
resentative Ramspecks statement, it
was q sorry day" when Congress
set up pension system for its mem
bers.
Senator Wellgren and Representa-
tive Smith, Washington State Demo-
Gratis, said today that influential
members Of Congress were highly
incensed over the bundle for Con-
gress" campaign which started in
Spokane.
A Spokane club launched the
movement after Congress enacted
legislation making Its members elgi-
BILE to retire on Government pensions
under the civil service retirement
rules.
Questioned About "Screwballs."
Senator Wallgren said a colleague
had asked him what kind Of screw
balls do you have in Washington"
but he laughed and walked away
Mr.. Smith said In an interview
that he feared the resentment might
result in a reduction of Federal
funds appropriated for use in his
State.
Il fear that when the next ap-
preparation bill comes before the
House for an appropriation to be
used in the State, we will lose sup
port of many who heretofore have
been solidly behind u.s. Mr. Smith
said mo state in the Union, on
basis Of population. has received
more money from this Congress"