The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-09-11
employees
WANT PAY
ION MERIT
Federal Workers Union Seek to
Increase Efficiency by Pre- .
(. venting Political Pull.

d,
(. venting Political Pull.
Readjustment of the Government
upon a better business basis along
lines laid down by President Harding
and Director Of the Budget Dawes
win be supported to the limit by the
army Of workers on Uncle Sans
nay roll. sE
This assurance came recently from
Luther C. Steward in q formal state
ment Of policy which has been laid
before the annual convention Of the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes In New Orleans, which will
close it's sessions September 16-
Wants Human Factor Considered.
But the Government workers. Presi-
dent Steward said, will lay before Gov
ernment heads q broad program for
more adequate pay and betber con-
sideration, OF the human factor" in
the moves now being made to- inject
economy and higher efficiency.
The Government viii not be put
upon q better plane OF efficiency until
the merit basis is thoroughly estab-
Ibncu anu icoS pOhuCat pun 10 pof
nitted to sway officials In the matter
OF selections Of employees for promo
ton. he said. ="
These are some OF the conditions to
which President Steward called atten-
ton and matters with which the New
Orleans convention IL dealing to bring
about Improvement In governmental
administrations
There are $4,000 men and women
employed in the Government service
at less than living wage.
Laborers Best Paid.
There are about twelve different
rates OF pay for the same class Of
work. 'L ~.. ~.
Scientists and other experts are paid
less in many instances than the wages
received by common labor.
Hundreds of jobs are vacant because
low salaries will not attract qualified
talent, N
Political methods Of appointing eta.
Vorites" must be abandoned and the
merit system installed. II u.
Wasted notion" in the Govern
nent service, costs the taxpayers mil.
lions of dollars annually.
President Harding has resolved, in
a visit from officials of the Fedora
ton, promise of loyal support In every
move he contemplates to improve ex-
istins conditions of employment for
the workers. ~
-pofcdhfts fof service-iet,s ALI pull to-
gether," was the Presidents wsrm
message to them.
President Stewart, discussing the
time-worn methods of running the
Government, said: Sd.
I've are beset with conditions
which show q complete lack Of con-
sistency as to an employment policy,
complete lack of Standardization In
personnel conditions and great waste
of human effort, human material and
Government funds"
The convention, 1t Ii said, Ia aim
ing to band all Government workers
together in a plan to inspire a new
point Of view upon the part OF Con.
gress and the public. with regard to
the Government workers. ~
They would change the view Of
Congress that the great body of
workers on Uncle Sans list are
merely great aggregation Of jobs"
Merit Base Is Sought.
The convention. Mr.. Steward an
nounces, Is seeking ways and means
to secure legislation for complete re-
Ciyil Service on strictly merit basis
with modern employment standards.
Sex DISCRIMINATION within the
service would be torn
down, II President Stewards policy n |
carried through. ',
Government workers who are lead |
Ing the movement for better lesisla- |
tive treatment from Congress and |
who are figuring prominently in the
New Orleans convention are:
Luther c. Steward, Kansas City: !
Gertrude w. McNally. Washington,
ID. c.: John Fitzgerald, BROOKLYN;
Charles l.. wiegand, Baltimore;
Richard Nash, East st. Louis; wil4
liam l.. Sleep, Boston; s. T. Kinsell,
Philadelphia; M. J. Hines, Leaven-
Louis; q. G. Dauphfne, Dayton, Ohio,
and e. J. Newmeyer. washington,
D. G. 49,. s
Ask Standard Salary Scale. /
President Stewards platform out.
lines the following as basic principles
upon which Government workers must
be brought solidly together.
Il. A uniform employment policy az
ries, determined by central admins.
trative agency after consultation with
department heads, this agency to have
power of review and to constitute q
board OF appeal.
''2. A standardized salary scale
based on skill and training required
for the work performed, with Just re-
lation to the cost of living as de-
Lermined by official Investigations.
-. appointment, ALLEGATION, promo
ton and removal in accordance with
proved qualifications determined by
the correlating agencies, !. e., the
United States Civil Service Commits
sion and the Budget Bureau in con
sultation with appointing officers.
-, Equal pay for work Of CORE
spending skill, with equal opportunity