Evening star., 1942-01-25
Veto Of Pensions
For Congress Asked
By Senator Capper
kunsun Tells President
He Fuvors Other Ports
Of Retirement Bill

Of Retirement Bill
Senator Capper. Republican, of
Kansas last night asked President
Roosevelt to veto the Hberalized civil
service retirement bill because OF
the provision allowing members OF
Congress TO 60 on the retirement
roll without making any back pay
mentS into the fund.
In taking this unusual course, the
Kansan went on record against pen
sions for members of Congress, but
made it clear he had no objection
to the remainder of the bill, designed
to give civil service employees gen.
orally more liberal optional retire
ment opportunities.
The Senator said he did not want
4 pension and would never ask for
one, but understood that, as the bill
now stands, he could receive pen
sion for the rest of his life on pay
nent of $139, or per cent Of his
salary for one day.
Byrd Amendment Rejected.
Before the bill passed, Senator
Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia tried
without success to have it amended
to require elected officials, in OBJ
tanning the option to enter the re-
tirement system. to deposit in the
fund back payments for at least
five years. His amendment was
beaten.
AS the bill passed, members of
Congress were given the remainder
Of this calendar year to exercise the
option of entering the system and
pay the S per cent salary contribu-
ton only between the time they
enter the system and retire. The
$1.39 payment is based on the as
sumption a Senator or Representa-
tive who has reached the required
age (62) and served for at least five
years, waited until the last day OF
the year to join and then retired
Immediately.
Senator's Letter.
Senator CapperS letter to the
President yesterday follows:
Lear MI. fIeSiOeiAL.
Il am taking the liberty of max
Ing what may seem to be an unusual
request. I am asking that you re-
turn to Congress, without your ap-
proval, a bill on which I am re-
corded in the Senate as having cast
an affirmative vote.
'I refer to H. R. 3487, an act to
further amend the civil service. In
section of this bill there is a pro-
vision for pensions for members OF
Congress, which I believe is con-
trary to public policy, and should
not become law.
II never for one minute believed,
nor do now believe, that members
of the Congress of the United States
should be entitled to pensions upon
retirement from office, no matter
under what language the pension is
provided.
II was unavoidably absent during
most of the debate on the bill and
did not understand that that pro-
vision was in the bill when I cast
my vote for it on final roll call I
took it for granted that the measure
simply made necessary changes to
improve the provisions of the Civil
Service Act. And as one who has
consistently supported civil service
legislation, I cast my vote for it.
Opposes Pensions for Congress.
IT was surprised to discover, after
the bill passed both branches of
Congress that apparently I, myself,
II I chose to retire, could receive a
pension for the rest of my life upon
payment of $139, or per cent Of
my pay for one day. I understand
it is the opinion of the Civil Service
Commission that that would be the
effect of the language of the act.
Nov, don't want a pension and
will never ask for pension. I do
not believe members of Congress
should receive pensions or retire
ment pay from the Government
for their services in Congress.
Accordingly, I am respectfully
requesting that you return H. R.
3487 to Congress without your ap-
proval. with the recommendation
that all reference to pensions or
annuities or retirement pay for
members of Congress be stricken
from the bill if it is to be returned
to you for your approval. I think
the legislation is desirable if the
language relating to members of
Congress is removed from the bill"
Chairman Ramspeck of the House
Civil Service Committee said that
10 of the 531 members could retire
at the end of their present term
next December and receive an an
nual sum of $1,000. Some 81 others,
he said, could receive as much as
$4,000, and the majority OF others
eligible less than $1,000.
The measure would increase from
~ to per cent the premium de-
ductions of Federal jobholders and
would make 10 the uniform retire
ment age for civilian employees.
They could, however, retire volun-
tarily on pension at 81 after IS
years of service and at so after 30
years.