Evening star., 1923-03-25
HITS INTERFERENCE
WITH CIVIL SERVICE
Edward Heating, at Banquet,
Says Politicians Won't
Keep Hands Off.

Political interference with the civil
service was deplored by Edward
keating. former secretary of the con-
gressional joint commission for re-
classification. at "reclassification''
dinner of the federal employees unions
OF the District last night at the Ebbitt
Hotel. at which the achievement OF a
four-year legislative fight was cele-
brated.
Describing such condition as dis
graceful Mr.. Keating declared that
the best interests demand that civil
service employees be put beyond the
reach of politicians If there is anVI
thing wrong with the civil service
today" he said, ninety per cent is
due to the fact that politicians won't
keep their hands off. II they don't
stop their Interference voluntarily. II
should be stopped through legisla-
tion."
Merit Basis Demanded.
The civil service, Mr.. Heating en-
phasized, should be based absolutely on
merit. He pointed out that there was
no objection from the government en-
ployes when the reclassiflcation COM
standards of qualifications and efficiency
for the civil service employees
Lauding the federal employees union
for reforms II has instituted in the
civil service, Mr.. Keating predicted that
II the organization continues to grow
within five years mo congressman will
dare Interfere He gave the union
the credit for the passage of the re-
tirement law as well as the reclassifica-
tion bill.
Brig Gen. H NJ. Lord, director of
the bureau of the budget and chairman
of the personnel classification board
urged the devotion of the federal en-
ployes TO the governments program of
economy. stressing the necessity OF
team work. and intelligence service
to that end
rWe need an old-fashioned revival
in the government service along the
lines of accountability and RESPONSE
bility," said Gen. Lord. Millions Of
public servants. because Of their
failure to recognize their account
ability and responsibility to the gov
ernment."
Promises just Treatment.
The personnel classification board,
Chairman Lord made clear. is en-
tlrely familiar with the conditions in
the government service and will give
the employees fair and just treat
ment."
The government. above all other
employers" he added Should pay a.
salary commensurate with the service
rendered"
Judge w. w. Warwick, alternate
chairman of the personnel cIassifica-
tion board. told the 500 members of
the unions and their friends who at
tended the dinner that the board is
desirous OF developing a report "tha,
Wlll compel Congress to adopt a real
ND
statute books so that il will deveIon
from day to day and year to year" He
said he Is confident Congress will
adopt the plan because of it's merits
Belief that the fight to make the re-
cIasslncatlon bill successful law has
only begun was expressed by both
Matthew Woll, vice president of the
American Federation of Labor and
Luther G. Steward. president OF the
National Federation Of Federal En-
ployes
The equal pay for equal work nr,n-
ciple of the reclassification IeEisIa-
tfon. Mr.. Woll pointed out, is destined
TO flnd root and development in prt
vate employment. There is a great
opportunity in this law" he said
for all Wage-earners in eliminating
strife in industry"
"Real Work Just Besfnnins.p
Our real work is Just beginning"
q.
cess of the reeclassification act rests
largely in the hands of the federal
employees. and 1 believe they will
sustain this burden" He also praised
the federal workers and national or
ganizations for their support in
pushing the Reconsideration bill
through Congress
A plea for women representatives
on the personnel classification hoard
was was made y by Miss Roberta L. Lind
ployes' Union OF the Treasury De
partment, who spoke in behalf Of
the organized women in the civil
service. Other speakers were r M
Boeckel, representing the National
Civil Service Reform League: Lewis
r. Merriam, associate director OF the
Institute Of Government Service; Mrs.
Emily Newell Blair, representing the
Miss Marian Parkhurst of the
womens committee for reclassifjca-
ton of the government service DR..
J. Franklin Meyer. president of the
Federal Employees Union Of the
bureau of standards. was toast
master.