The Washington times., 1920-12-04
FAVORS COURT
FOREMPLOYES
Congressman Madden Sponsors
Bill for Appeal Body to
Hear Grievances.
BY JOHN SNURE.


Congressman Martin b. Madden
of Illinois has drafted a bill, which
he will introduce at the outset OF
the meeting of Congress, to provide
for board or court of appeals sys-
ten in the civil service OF tie Gov
einment.
CAN AIR GRIEVANCES.
II this bill becomes law. it will in
sure to government employees under
the civil service something which
they have long favored, a method of
having their grievances fairly con-
sidered. Under the methods now in
force, IL Is represented that many
injustices are done and especially that
employees are denoted or dismissed
without any chance for. proper
hearing.
The Madden plan. II 1t becomes law.
and the prospects are that 1t VIII.
will insure TO the employe who has
charges made against him a chance
to know what those charges are. what
the evidence Is and to defend him
self before a board or court on which
the civil service employees will have
representation.
ISSUE IN CAMPAIGN.
Congressman Madden has been in
favor Of such a system for long
time. He has freely advocated 1t In
and out Of Congress. In the recent
campaign, he spoke out in favor of
1t. However, Mr.. Madden. who has
long served on the House Postoffces
Committee, started out by proposing
such a system for the Postonice De
partment The more he examined
into the matter, the more he became
convinced that 1t should prevail
throughout the civil service and thus
benefit all the departments and the
independent bureaus and agencies.
The bill he has prepared, therefore.
is of general application and is not
confined simply to the Postoffice De-
partment.
Under the new Madden bill the civil
service commission will have the au-
thority, and will be required to eXer-
else II, to name boards to consider
controversies between an employe ana
his superiors. Thus there may be one
or more boards to consider contro-
versies in each department. When
controversy arises the civil service
commission will name a board to con-
slider It, Thus IL charges are made
against an employe and he is about
to be dismissed, he can have an appeal
board or court sit on his case. He
will have full opportunity to be heard
and he will also have the opportunity
to know the charges against him.
EMPLOYEES ON BOARD.
The boards will be composed Of
officials and employees and inasmuch
as it is unlikely an employe would
be misjudged by his fellow employees,
justice would in all reasonable proba-
bility obtain.
Mr.. Madden talked about the bill to-
day. He said he intended not only to
introduce it but to do all possible to
bring about it's enactment.
II recognize the difficulty of get
ting anything done this session ex.
cept to pass the appropriations bills"
said Mr. Madden. ut is quite likely
that this measure cannot pass this
winter But at least it will be dis.
cussed and considered and, perhaps,
the discussion may bring about sug-
gestions for improvements. II not
passed this winter. shall reintroduce
it in the new Congress when l have
no doubt action along this line Will be
taken.
EMPLOYEES FAVOR BILL.
have long advocated such sys-
tenn of appeals in the civil service
and while considered it first for the
Post Office Department alone, l shall
endcavor to apply it to all of the de-
partments and agencies of the gov
crnment.'
Employees OF the Post Office Depart
ment, who have had much complain
about their treatment under the
regime OF Postmaster General Burle.
son. have been foremost in urging
that an appeal system such as Mr..
Madden plans be provided However,
there is demand for II all through the
civil service. Undoubtedly the organ
izations of government employees will
be found giving the Madden plan
strong backing.