Evening star., 1921-11-04
Regarding BILL
I. IS REPORTED OUT
! House Committee Approves
SterIing-L LehIbach Act
for Efficiency.
FRAMED At Conference
Measure Drawn Up at Meeting
With Officers of Federation of
Federal Employees.

Chairman Lehlbach Of the House
committee on reform in the civil
service yesterday laid before the
House favorable report on the
Sterling -Lehlbach bill for reclassifi-
cation of the government employees.
This is the rival bill to the Smoot-
Woods bill, which is being used by
the United States bureau of efficiency
in carrying out the executive order
of President Harding for the estab-
lishment of an efficiency fatiNg sys-
tenn. Generally, it may be stated
that the SterlingLehlbach bill is the
one framed in conference with the
officers of the National Federation of
Federal Employees.
The Sterling -Lehlbach bill, accord
ing to the report. divides the per-
District and the District employees
into seven broad services-profes-
sional. subprofessional. clerical. in
stitutional. custodial, inspectional.
police and criminal investigation and
fire service: Each of these services
is subdivided into six or seven
grades.
Costs Little Greater.
In his report Chairman Lehlbach
emphasizes that by his plan the re-
classifications proposed could be
made fairly and conscientiously, anu
would be scrutiniZed closely by the
reviewing authority. He declares
that under his bill there is no desire
to reclassify on the basis Of general
system OF standardized compensation
for standardized work. Under his
bill. he says. there would be only a
slight percentage of increase in the
total cost of the government person.
mel. and that such increases would
be more than balanced by the increas-
ed efficiency.
His report says. in part. as follows:
THE task of allocating the employees
in department to their proper
grades in the services is imposed on
the respective heads of the depart
ments. These allocations. however.
are subject to revision by the bu-
Ieau Of the budget, and shall become
effective only upon their approval by
said bureau.
THE bureau of the budget is given
reasonable latitude to make neces-
sary adjustments. but may not sub
stantially amend the grades or alter
was unwilling to intrust to any
agency but the one directly respOn-
sible for administrative expenditures
the final review Of the work of ap
dying Ine CldSSlHCatlOn.
Ordered to Report.
THE bureau of the budget" con-
tinues the report, 'is directed to re-
port to Congress at the session fol-
lowing the passage Of this bill.
The compensation schedules do not
embrace employees in a recognized trade
or craft. or engaged in skilled labor.
Wages Of this class of employees
shall be fixed and readjusted from time
to time by a board Of three members,
appointed by the President, whose find
lnEs are ;ilso subject to revision and
approval by the bureau of the budget.
"Al employees are to receive compen-
sation at the lowest rate In the salary
range Of the grade to which they are
a:iocated. except in such instances
where they are at present receiving
higher rate within the range. Advance
ments in salary within the range Of a
grade are to be made only upon the at
tsinment Of the standard of efficiency
prescribed for such increases.
Must Remain Emcient.
Failure to maintain certain pre-
scribed standards Of efficiency will re-