Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-10
Retirement
Raise to Face
Opposition

firemen.
The bill was expected to draw
opposition. Senator Williams,
Republican Of Delaware, OBJ
jected to the measure several
weeks ago and it was re-referred
to the District Committee so
that a detailed analysis could
be made to answer some of
his objections.
Retroactive Measure
The measure, retroactive to
last october, would cost each
policeman and fireman an
average of $65 to become ELI
gible.
Chief complaint of the Della
ware Senator was the cost to
the District government. Advo-
Gates of the measure contend
that the proposed increases
would bring police and firemen
more nearly in line with raises
recently granted Civil Service
employees and at the same time
make allowances for hazards
involved in law enforcement
and fire fighting.
"One grave inequity con-
tanned in the present law =,
is that there is no provision for
retirement Of a member for a
disability not incurred in per-
Torrance Of duty" the District
Committee reported to the Sen
ate. In such cases, under pres
ent law, such a member must
be removed by trial, board &C
ton. Inefhciency is charged in
that the disability physically
incapacitateS him in perform
ance Of duties, eliminating in a
finding of guilty.
"A potentially sinister con-
notation to such members's
separation from the service is
the result, when, in fact, such
member had incurred a physical
disability through no fault of
his own.
Loss of Rights
Another grave inequity re-
sulting from such q dismissal
IS the loss Of retirement rights
to which such member would
have been entitled had he re-
NAMED in service until he could
qualify for retirement under
the age and length Of service
provisions of present law.
This means that a member
could serve well and faithfully
for many years, and through
no fault Of his own, incur q
disability not IN line Of duty,
such as an alitonaQhile acci-
dent. with the. result thet he
would be separated rom the
service and al be Nplild have
to show for his years of faith
full service would he 4 Eefund
of retirement. contfibut lions. He
would. have lost all credit to-
ward retirement and would be
entitled to no other annuity
whatsoever.
IF he were unfortunate
enough to die soon after such
separation from service. then
the inequity would spread to
his widow and children"
Earlier House Action
Earlier this week, the House
passed complimentary legisla-
ton to provide increased bene-
fits for police and firemen who
retired prior to last october /.
Their widows and children also
would benefit.
The pending bill takes care
Of those retired since october /.
In addition to police and
f1remen, other beneflciarieS
would be members of the Park
police, the White House police
and some members of the Secret
Service.
The bill has eight principal
features:
/. Credit would be allowed for
prior Federal or District serv-
ice in computing pension bene-
fits.
2. Pay deductions would be
raised from 5 to SIS per cent.
8. Medical and hospital serv-
ice provided for disability in
Cured in line of duty.
4. Non-service connected dis
ability benefits 2 per cent of
basic salary provided after five
years Of service. The maximum
limitation would be 70 per cent.
S. Service connected disabil-
ity benefits would be increased
from the present maximum of
so per cent to a minimum OF
6625 per cent and a maximum
Of 70 per cent.
Age for Retirement
6. Specifies the ulnimum age
for retirement would be so years
after 20 years Of service.
7. Increases survivor annu-
tiles for widows and children
of members and former men,
bers.
8. Requires the District Com
mlssionerS to administer the
act.
THE members coming un-
der the purview Of this legis-
lation," the District Committee
reported, would pay is Vel
cent Of their basic salary from
the effective date of the act, Oc.
tober /, 1856 it is the in.
tent Of the committee that thu
Commissioners formulate anC
implement a method Of amor
tizing the members liability OF
an equitable basis Of install
mentS.
AT the present time. thu
approximate average indebted
ness per man from october ]
1866 would be $685.
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