Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-02-19
Mclaughlin Fights
16% Pension Boost
But Fuvors Rise
For Widows of
Police, Firemen

Commissioner Robert E. Nc
Laughlin today fought an up
hill battle on Capitol Hill
against legislation to increase
by Is per cent pensions of po-
licemen and firemen who re-
tired before August /, 1856.
AS the same time, he sup
ported a boost in payments to
widows and children Of such
men.
His testimony was given be.
fore a House District subcom-
mittee, obviously in favor OF
added benefits for the police
fire veterans if they could be
financed
A standing-room crowd Of
$50 retired officers and widows
applauded committeemen's
questions disputing the views Of
Mr.. Mclaughlin, president Of
the Board of Commissioners,
The pension bill was spon-
sored by Representative Nc
MILAN, Democrat Of South
Carolina, head of the full Dis
trict Committee. 1t was passed
by the House last year but
could not be rescued before
adjournment from a Senate
House conference. The Senate
followed the Commissioner
advice and voted pension in.
creases for widows and chill
dren only.
Differ on 1857 Accord
Mr.. Mcmillan said he had
understood two years ago that
District officials would back
pension reforms soon after
pay bill for active officers
cleared Congress.
That never was my UNDER
standing Mr.. Mclaughlin
said, 1--WE always have favored
increases for widows and chill
dren, whose benefits have been
unchanged since 1949."
AS for the men themselves.
they have received added re-
tirement benefits since 1923 in
line with salaries of the active
force, Commissioner McLaugh-
lin noted.
A retired policeman and fire.
man who left the service in
l945 at retirement pay of $3.50
now is receiving $3.276 annu-
ally, compared to $2,411 given
retired civil servants. he noted.
The Mcmillan bill would give
such an officer 1892 annually.
Widows now receive $l2S
monthly and their children un.
der 10 get $25 each. Mr.. Nc
MILAN would increase benefits
to an average of $3.50 per widow
and $50 for each dependent.
Living Costs Cited
Representative H armo on.
Democrat of Indiana, said he
wanted retired employees TO
have as much money as they
possibly could, High living
costs should be considered. as
we'll as the Districts tight fis-
cal situation, he said.
This was in answer to Mr..
McLaughlin'S major argument
in opposition to the mems pay.
From 1860 through 1881 the
cost of the Mcmillan oil for
retired members would be $3.50
million, he estimated.
What makes you believe
that these retired members will
be living in 1902" asked Rep
resentative Davis, Democrat Of
Georgia. who is subcommittee
chairman.
Some Retiring Young
Commissioner Mclaughlin
said he had been advised by an
actuary that some retirees'
benefits would run past the year
1000. Fourteen of the men to
be covered by the Macmillan
bill were only % when they re-
tired, he said.
Taking issue with the Com
missioner were Webster r. Frye,
president, Retired Firemen's
Association; Sergt. Richard A.
Burton, Retired PolicemenS
Association; Thomas G. WAL
tiers, Government Employees
Council; 1t. Edward H. Ring.
Policemen's Association of d.
c., and 1t. Alvin E. Davis, Fire.
mems Association Of D. c.
The hearing was adjourned,
TO be resumed at the call Of
Chairman Davis. Postponed for
lack of time was a hearing on
separate legislation to revamp
District punishment laws.