Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1914 — LETTERS FROM OUR READERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Yes? Mr. Peterson Would Also Pension Government Employes. Mr. Editor: As an old line Jeffersonian democrat I want to say a few words regarding Congressman John B. Peterson’s "stand” for “democratic principles” during the time he has been in congress. I have noticed at various times his attitude on the congressional mileage graft, which has been condemned for years by the democrats, and the fact that he was the, only member of the Indiapa delegation in congress who did not vote against retaining this 20 cents per mile when the matter came up In that body last spring and summer. We all know that this 20 cents per mile fee for traveling expenses was fixed years and t years ago When members (raveled by slow stages to and from Washington and in many cases much of the way on horseback, before the luxurious mode of travel by rail at 2c per mile had become a possibility, and that the graft has been condemned by democrats and the rank and file of other parties for many years. And yet Mr. Peterson alone among our thirteen democratitc congressmen from Indiana did not vote to abolish the outrageous graft,when he had the opportunity to do so. I ve also noticed that he favors tiring government employes on a pension when they have reached a certain age, thus adding hundreds of thousands to a pension list for all time to come and increasing our expenditures of government millions upon millions of dollars each year. His position on both these questions is undemocratic and humiliating to the voters of his party, and, especially, < on the latter, is positively dangero’us. In proof of how popular he is, however, with the government em-

ployes who hope to get through a measure of this kind, let me quote from the Hammond Daily News in its report of a meeting held in that city last February, of government or civil service employes, to further this scheme. The paper from which we quote is of the issue of Monday, Feb. 23, page two, column three. The News is the democratic organ of Lake county and is supporting Mr. Peterson for re-election, therefore its statements should be taken as absolutely correct in this matter. “The public meeting held in Baptist hall on Saturday night under the auspices of the Lake (’ounty Association of Civil Service Employes, Branch 187, was a decided success. The attendance was good and by the applause given the speakers, the public expressed themselves as heartily in favor of the movement. "The object was to inform the public of an effort that is being made at Washington to take care of the old and faithful civil service employes. "The Baptist orchestra rendered valuable assistance by furnishing several selections which were greatly appreciated ' by all present. “James R. Beilby, president of Lake Co., A. P. S. C. E., pre-, sided and gave a brief history of the organization and aims of the local branch. The chairman read a letter from John B. Peterson, our congressman, who stated that: “I have felt that employes of the government, especially the classified service, are underpaid and it has been my effort while in congresswlienever an opportunity offered itself, to try to do justice to the ones above mentioned." On Jan. 23, congressional record, page l 2272, Mr. Peterson’s sentiments are recorded. Mr. Peterson sent his best wishes to all of the branch and this the veriaus members appreciated. "Mr. Ed I. Gayner, national vice president of letter carriers of Mnincie, then spoke of our duty to fellowman. Reference was made to the good work done by Congressman Peterson, and Mr. Gayner said that when congressmen take the „ noble stand that our congressman has, there will be only a short time and the employes will be taken care oJ as they should he.”

Now here is the undisputed evidence in Mr. Peterson's own words. What do you think of it? Why not retire the farmer, the laborer or the mechanic on a pension? He is highly commended by the “public”—the civil service employes who attended this meting -for his “noble stand” in behalf of such a pension scheme. .This “noble stand" of pensioning the great army of civil service employes, who already receive large salaries compared with other occupations, work eight hours or less per day, are given many holidays and annual vacations each year without loss of pay, and whenever a vacancy occurs hundreds of good, honest, intelligent and just as competent men are willing and anxious to take their places at the handsome salaries provided, is contrary to the wishes and desires of 85 per cent of Mr. Peterson’s constituency in this district. Of course the ones who expect to profit will be for him —who ever saw an officeholder ttiat thought he was getting all the salary he ought to have and did not think he should be given a pension for life as soon as he was let out of service—but the people who must suffer should Mr. Peterson’s expressed views in this matter go into effect, are decidely against any such proposition.

I am sorry to see our congressman go pn record not only as a mileage grafter and a salary grabber for the civil service employes—he says, “It has been my effort while in congress whenever opportunity offered itself,” etc., and that he thinks government employes “are underpaid” —but I am especially pained and humiliated to think that he would endorse and give his hearty approval to the pension scheme of this organization that is endeavoring to get such legislation through congress. J EFFERSONI AN DEMOCRAT.