392 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LI. No. 1320 



ested in this rather puzzling question may 

 study it to see whether there is anything in 

 the theory suggested here. 



H. J. Conn, 

 E. S. Breed 

 Agriodltukai Experiment Station, 

 Geneva, N. Y. 



pensions for government employees 



The American Association for Labor Legis- 

 lation calls attention to the very serious evils 

 arising from the lack of a pension system in 

 the government bureaus at Washington. 

 They say : " It is now reported that of a total 

 of 878 employees in one federal bureau in 

 "Washington, 303 are over 65 years old, 104 

 over 75, and 29 over 80. The Treasury De- 

 partment alone has 1,000 aged who average 

 only 25 per cent, efficiency — 1,000 drawing full 

 pay for work that could be done by 250." 



This is a matter which concerns scientific 

 men. I remember several years ago calling on 

 one of the most eminent zoologists in the Na- 

 tional Museum. I found that he was writing 

 all his letters by hand, because the stenographer 

 assigned to him was too old to do the work. He 

 explained that of course he could not, or would 

 not dismiss her; but as a result he was left 

 without the assistance he should have had. I 

 recall a scientific assistant, retained by a bu- 

 reau long after he had ceased to be able to do 

 anything of value, but required to spend his 

 days at his desk. 'No one would have thought 

 of turning him away unless he could be ade- 

 quately provided for. The effect of these con- 

 ditions on the progress of science is obvious 

 and lamentable. 



It appears that there is now a bill before 

 Congress, providing for retirement on part pay 

 at 65, the employee contributing 2i per cent, of 

 wages, the government the rest. It should cer- 

 tainly be supported. 



t. d. a. cockerell 



Universitt of Colorado, 

 March 1, 1920 



THE RECENT AURORAS 



The Weather Bureau is compiling observa- 

 tions of the auroras of March 22-23, 23-24, 



and 24^25, 1920, as seen in the United States, 

 or elsewhere, with a view to publishing a 

 detailed account of this remarkable display 

 in the March, 1920, issue of the Monthly 

 Weather Review. It is hoped that those who 

 observed an aurora on any of the dates 

 mentioned will notify the bureau, and if 

 details were noted will send copies of their 

 notes. Information about any display which 

 may be seen on April 18, 27 days after the 

 brilliant night in March, or auroras observed 

 on other dates in 1919 or 1920 will also be 

 appreciated. Communications should be ad- 

 dressed to "Editor, Weather Bureau, Wash- 

 ington, D. C," and should reach Washington 

 by the end of April. 



Charles F. Brooks, 

 Meteorologist-Editor 



QUOTATIONS 



CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS 



After years of haK-hearted consideration 

 Congress seems about to pass a bill for the re- 

 tirement and pensioning of employees in the 

 federal service. It will be applicable only to 

 those in the classified service, about 300,000 in 

 all. It is a measure of justice and at the same 

 time a measure of economy, for the govern- 

 ment hasn't been heartless enough to turn the 

 superannuated loose. Thousands of them re- 

 tain their places, but do little or no work. 



The government retires employees in the 

 military and kindred services. It ought to set 

 a similar stajidard for faithful civil employ- 

 ment. The retirement age in the army is 

 sixty-four, and in the navy sixty-two. Taking 

 into consideration the easier conditions of civil 

 employment, the bill which has just passed 

 the Senate fixes seventy as the civil retire- 

 ment limit. The allowances will vary accord- 

 ing to length of service, from thirty years down 

 to eighteen years. Persons disabled through 

 disease or injury in the line of duty may be re- 

 tired before reaching seventy. 



Another distinction is to be made between 

 civil and military beneficiaries. An annuity 

 assessment of 2J per cent, will be levied an- 

 nually on the salaries of civil employees until 

 a retirement fund is accumulated. This assess- 



