The Washington times., 1919-05-16

The aims of the National Fedora
ton of Federal Employees, plans for
action during the coming session of
Congress. the reforms accomplished,
and the growth OF the organization
from a handful OF members to a great
federation including $4,000 Govern
ment employees, were explained by
Luther c. Steward, president. in an
interview today.
For the present. said Mr.. Stew
ard. the National Federation of Fed
eral Employees is working for the
following: a living wage for all
Government workers; retirement with
pay for all superannuated employees:
Standardization OF duties and wages
and automatic increase in pay based
on merit; a Federal personnel board,
with authority to adjust salaries and
conditions of employment as circum-
stances warrant Cthe employees hav-
ing representation on such board);
equal pay for equal work for Gov
eminent employees, men and women;
equal suffrage, greater political free
dom for Federal employees, a real
merit system. including a non-par-
tisan civil scFVice commission to sue
coed the present bipartisan commits
sion, and training school where all
Government employees may be given
an opportunity to study for executive
positions-this school to be main
tanned by the Federal Government.
Changes Obtained.
Among the changes which were
brought about, largely through the
activity of the unions. are the follow
ing: The defeat OF the Borlaad
amendment which proposed to length
en- the working hours of the Govern
ment emplOye without increase in
pay; in 1917 an increase in salary o.
10 per cent for year for all Govern
ment employees receiving $1,000 or less
and an increase of ) per cent for one
year for all Government employees re-
ceiving from 81 200 to 81 500 salary a
year; at the next session of Congress
fat increase Of $40 a month for a
year for all Government employees re-
ceiving up to $500 annually.
AT the last session of Congress the
Federation asked an increase of 81 a
day in pay for all Government work
ers; a measure containing provisions
for a $40 increase or bonus was
passed. The Federation also sue
ceeded in obtaining the inclusion of
the War Risk Bureau in the benefits
of this measure. The clerks of thai
bureau obtained $12O in addition to
their basic salary. The federation has
also been active in urging salary re-
classification. and it was largely be
cause of the federation the joint COM
mittee on the reSIassification of sala-
ries was created.
Back Nolan Law.
THE federation also urged the pas
sage or the Nolan measure providing
for minimum wage of So a day for
all adult full-time employees. This bill
passed the House. but because of the
congestion of business during the
closing hours of Congress was not
acted upon by the Senate This meas
ure will he reintroduced during tn,
coming session and. We expect. will
be passed by both houses. signed by
the President. and become law.
The National Federation of Fed
eral Employees was granted charter
by the American Federation of Labor
in September. 1917. The first local
was organized in San Francisco in
January. 1913. shortly after Govern
to organize. The first Washington
local was organized in 1916. and is
known as Local No. > Locals Nos.
and 4 are located in Milwaukee and
New York. respectively. In the fall
of 1917 the American FEDERATION of
La Dor granted a charter to the or
Ganizations, comprised of forty locals
and the independent local organiza-
tions were affiliated with the national
labor organization. This took place
after convention of the locals was
held in September. 1917.
AbOut $4,000 Members.
There arc approximately 10000
Federal employees i'm the National
Federation OF Federal Employees.
about $4,000 Of whom are employed
in the National Capital. This number
is being constantly increased. There