Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1912 — HAS SERVED NATION 63 YEARS [ARTICLE]

HAS SERVED NATION 63 YEARS

Thomas Harrison, Dean of the Clerical Force In Washington, in Odd Request. Washington.—ln a few days Thomas Harrison, chief clerk in the naval observatory, will have completed probably the most remarkable term of continuous service in the government on record. He will have been for sixtythree years, a longer period than the average life time, at the same desk in his department. No record comparable to this exists in this government, and it is doubtful if any such record ever existed before. And there la another thing about Harrison that is unprecedented. He has asked to be demoted. He has volunteered to take a position of less salary and less Importance,, and has Insisted upon it when hia superior officers were disinclined to authorize IL A year ago Harrison went to the acting secretary of the navy and asked to be transferred. He said that old age had come upon him; that his faculties could not be expected to respond much longer, and that before incompetency forced itself upon him he wanted to take up other duties less responsible. Mr. Winthrop listened to the veteran clerk, and then refused the request The secretary said that any man with Harrison’s record was entitled to full pay to the and of his fife, if not tor present efficiency, then for the work hahad done in the past of his services pleased Harrison. It made him feel that he had not spent

his elxty-two years at hard work without his reward. And he returned to work and remained at work until a week or so ago. Then the old man wrote a letter to the secretary, renewing his request that he be relieved of responsibility, but that he be given some work that would support him for the remainder of his life. Harrison was obdurate. He had made up his mind to turn his responsible work over to a younger man end finally convinced the secretary of the merit of Ms plea. This time, Mr. Winthrop stood aside and ordered the transfer to be made. Harrison Is now eighty years old.