Evening star., 1922-04-11
MAKES NO APOLOGY
FOR RD|SM|SSALS
President Tells Federal En-
pIOyes Action Did Not
Impugn Characters.

Recent changes at the bureau OF
engraving and printing were ordered
after extended deliberation. and were
inspired wholly for the good of the
SERVICE" President Harding declared
in letter to the president of the
National Federation of Federal EN-
ployes. The letter was made public
by the federation last night.
The President said:
II have before me your letter OF
April 1, in which you write to me in
protest of the executive action in ef-
1ectlns the reorganization OF the bu-
reau of engraving and printing and
with which you inclose to me the let
ter of Gertrude NJ. McNally, secre-
tary of the Women's Union, making
a similar protest. Because you and
Miss McNally speak officially for SO
large part of federal employees,
desire to make personally courteous
acknowledgement, but l must sug-
gest at the same time that courtesy
shall not be confused with apology
THE changes made at the bureau
were ordered after extended delibera-
ton and were inspired wholly for the
good of the service. It was SO stated
at the time. l do not understand that
such a statement or such an action
for charges against the employees
concerned or demands explanation
by the executive.
Retirement Rights Hold.
THE order in the case specifically
stated that those of the dismissed
employees who were eligible to retire
mcnt would be retired as from the
date of the order. which, l think you
Will agree, is not subject to the con-
struction that their characters were
inpugned in any way. Miss McNally's S
letter states that these persons are
ineligible to reinstatement in the gov
ernment service because summariiy
dismissed on charges, and they lose
the benefit of the retirement act. This
indicates a distinct misunderstanding
of the action taken. There were no
charges, and there was distinct as
surance that the benefits of the re-
tirement act were preserved.
Tn the circumstances which were
presented to the executive at the
time of taking this action 1t seemed
apparent to me then, as it does now,
that no action less sweeping than
surance of the full protection of the
governments interests.
Il shall maintain every regard for
the civil service law. but, if a respon-
sible executive head may not take
such action, as is deemed necessary
for the good of the public service,
then such an inhibition on the powers
of the executive ought to be made
very clear to Congress. to government
employees and to the American public.
to which we are all answerable. Then
the responsibility may no longer be
lodged with the executive. Until such
understanding is made clear, 1 invite
you and others who speak for federal
employees to join me in doing the
things deemed necessary to promote
the highest possible degree of federal
service"
The federation replied to Mr.. Hard
ing's letter and pointed out that in
addition to the stigma attached to
them by the manner of their dismiss
al, all but two of the dismissed en-
ployes will lose their retirement an
nuity."
"The principle of the civil service
law is the fundamental safeguard to
the public service" the letter said.
adding that the highest efficiency,
sense of duty and responsibility to
the public should .'be brought about
through strictly merit system of ap-
pointment, promotion and dismissal"