The Washington times., 1919-12-31
DENY PLAN TO
GUST CLERKS
Federal Employees Union Repu.
dates Statements Credited
To Organization Official.

James c. Blackwell. first vice prcsi-
dent OF the Federal Employees Union
No. >, was the most talked about man
in Washington today in offices where
clerks are employed.
The Blackwell Creed" for the Fed
ersl Employees Union. promulgated
through the press yesterday, and
which would transform the Federal
employees union from trade 5
union" INTO a workers union" that
would aim to have $4,000 incompe-
tent and unit employees" dismissed
brought down on him today the con-
demnation of the other officers of the
organization who repudiated his plat
form almost in toto.
IndigDation Mccting.
"An impromptu indignation meet
ing OF officers of the National FEEDER
alton OF Federal Employees and OF the
local unions in Washington was held
at headquarters of the federation" il
was announced today, land emphatic
statements were made repudiatins
the action OF J. c. Blackwell, first vice
president of Local No. 2, as reported
in the newspapers of yesterday"
Blackwclps expulsion from the
union was predicted by an officer of
the National Federation at headquar.
ters today. 1t is declared that he has
failed to grasp the significance of the
work Of the organization.
so far as / know" John S. Beach,
president of Local No. 2. said today,
Mr.. Black wells statement represents
nobody but himself.
a resolution endorsing the. plan for q
that resolution nor anything that was
had any reference to such
a proposal as the dismissal of 10000
so-called inefficient employees"
Doubts Authority.
Upon what foundation does MIR
Blackwell base his idea that $4,000
employees are Inefficient" asked Sec.
e. J. Nevmyer. of
the National Federation OF Federal
Ineffciency nust be
proved in each individual case before
anybody. or any organization would
be justified in recommending dis
nissa1. T odo otherwise would be a
violation of the whole theory OF the
civil service law. as we'll as of the
policies of our organization"
Mr.. Blackwell Is called on by Mr..
Newmyer to explain how he arrived
at the conclusion that one fourth of
the Government employees were over
paid, that one-fourth are paid what
they are yorth and that so per cent
are underpaid.
I'VE do advocate a central personnel
d gency 10 perpetuate the work OF the
Commission, and we
do stand for efficiency which shall
be determined through entrance and
promotion tests for all, employees"
Mr.. Newmyer said. But we Certainly
dismissal of any employees except such
individuals whose inefficiency had
been specifically provided.
Legislative Program.
Our legislative program, moreover.
calls for the immediate passage of
the Nolan minimum wage bill to pro-
vide. at least, a living wage for all
employees. 1t calls for a general sal
ary increase twice the amount of the
bonus OF last year, pending the re-
classification. upon which We arc re-
lying 10 readjust salaries on an
equitable basis"
This is the first time that I have
ever heard the statement made that
our organization Is not trade union 3"
Mr.. Newmyer said. The National
Federation of Federal Employees, to
which Federal Employees Union, No.
.. is subordinate, IS affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor,
and is now and always has bcen. a
regular trade union in every sense of
the word.
Furthermore. We expect to continue
in the future as We have in the past,
and do everything possible to further
the labor movement as represented
by the American Federation OF La
bor."
Everybody UnherpaIA.
Every one of the 200 employees in
the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing from the charwomcn up 10 the
director are underpaid" Miss Gertrude
secretary Of the Woman's
Union OF the bureau declared today.
The reclassihcation commission. she
said, is counted on to remedy this sit
uation.
EVERY cmploye in the bureau" said
Miss McNally, performs a full days
work every working day in the year
an dtheenormous amount of securities
delivered by the bureau during the
year proved beyond a doubt that we
have no Inefficient on our rolls"
OverIcoks Facts.
'lnasmuch 80 Mr.. Blackwell fails
to recognize his organization as a
trade union" said s. f. Blassingham.
president OF the PostoffiCe Depart
ment branch, "it is not surprising
that he overlooks the fact that the
labor movement OF which the Federal
Union is a part is a po-
litical movement as we'll as an eco
nomic one.
Federal employees do not use the
strike. They must accomplish their
ends by legislation, and to secure leg
iSlation requires political methods"