U.S. At War: Pensions for Good Boys

With a straight and pious face, the Senate and House extended the civil-service pension system* to all elected Federal officials: namely, the President, the Vice President—and themselves. To be eligible, members will have to ante 5% of their salaries, but Congressmen gave themselves until year's end to ante up—a rare privilege, especially for those not re-elected next November. They also decided on full pensions—as if they had been paying their 5% since their Federal service began.

Virginia's economy-minded Senator Harry F. Byrd pointed out that the bill could mean pensions up to $4,175...