Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-05
DECLARES MORALE
OF WORKERS HURT
Stewart Says Spirit of De-
moraIization Has Developed
Among U. S. Employees.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, September
5.-"Declaring that the present state
of mind of Federal employees Is un-
happy, and that spirit of demoraliza.
ton has developed to an extent that
should be alarming, but Is apparently
lost sight of by those who believe
that reduction in expenditures for per-
sonal service is the most important
object to be sought" President Luther
Stewart made his annual report to
the National Federation Of Federal
Employees in convention here today.
Calling for q business-like person
mel policy for the Federal Govern
ment, the head of the employees
unions declared that further failure
Of public officials to deal in an equi-
table and satisfactory manner with
the problems of the Government serv-
ice eventually will be visited upon
them in their conviction in the public
mind of gross incompetency in office.
Charges Pseudo Economy.
1.-THE business of the Federal Gov
eminent continues to grow" said Mr..
Steward, land the continued failure
of those In high places to recognize
the necessity of putting Federal per
sonnet matters on businesslike ba-
sis will sooner or later be recognized
as a severe reflection on their COM
potency"
Dissatisfaction with the pseudo-econ-
omy policy which he charged has
brought hardship to Government
workers, was expressed by Mr.. Stew
ard as follows:
"Masauerading under the term
economy practices In dealing with
the rank and file of Federal employees
are permitted and encouraged, which
will permit of no milder characterize
ton than dishonest. The exercise of
compulsion on administrative officers
to reduce expenditures for personal
services by an arbitrary figure 10"
cuses attention to the unfortunate
fact that at the present time when
ever the interest of the dollar ana
the employe are measured the dollar
weighs heaviest in the scale"
Struggle to Continue.
Promising that "our struggle for
improved conditions in the Federal
service will continue with increased
vigor." President Steward announced
as 1.-The most important task" OF the
National Federation of Federal EN-
ployes the securing of legislation
which will abolish the Personnel
Classification Board.
There is sufficient sentiment in
both Houses of Congress to secure
the enactment of this legislation. but
it must be crystalized by the active
efforts of the organized Federal en-
ployes themselves" said Mr.. Steward.
An absence from the Governments
personnel methods of principles of
Justice and fairness was credited as
being the cause for loss of morale
and deterioration of public spirit
among the employees" The head of
the Government workers federation
singled out for especial excoration "a
form of zeal which," he said, lis
fairly prevalent" This zeal, he fur
Their asserted, consists in promoting
employees in position and responsible
ity, but withholding from them for
extended periods the rate of pay at
tached to the position to which they
are assigned.
Says Tide Is Turning.
whether the ultimate goal of some
of our present-day executives is re
turn to the sweatshop conditions or
generation ago in the garment trades
it is difficult to state. The fact re-
mains, however, that there is a dis
tinct trend in that direction, and prom.
inent officials on the one hand extend
the length of the working day of their
subordinatrs by general order and at
the same time boast of having reduced
the number of employees under their
Jurisdictions Fortunately, there are
plenty of signs that the tide is turn
ing. that in the near future greater
attention will be paid to the human
element in the Federal service than
there has been in the recent past.
I'VE shall, as an organization, press
forward in support of sound, equitable
principles, and the recognition of the
juctice of our cause. even though
temporarily delayed. cannot perma-
nently be withheld"
Reviewing the extension of the Sat
urday half holiday by Executive order
to continue through the period from
the first Saturday in June to the last
Saturday in September, Mr.. Steward
pointed to this action as the direct
result of the work of the National
Federation of Federal Employees.
Seeks Revised Pay.
The Federation, Mr.. Stewart said, has
supported and will continue to sup
port efforts to secure amendment or
the existing classification act so as to
provide for revision of existing COM
pensation schedules for the District
of Columbia and the establishment OF
compensation on schedules for the
field service which shall be based on
the increased cost of living. For this
purpose, he stated, a bill was pre-
pared by the national officers OF the
Federation and introduced at the last
session of Congress by Representative
Richard ]. WEIGH of CalifVnia-
"a great deal of favorable public
sentiment was aroused in favor of the
measure, which should be introduced
at the Forthcoming session or Con-
gress az one of our major detectives
and every effort should be made by
our membership to acquaint their
Representatives and Senators in Con,
gress with the Importance of this bill
to all Federal employees and the neces-
sitv for legislation to bring about
more adequate rate Of pay. especially
for the thousands who at the present
time receive less than a decent living
wage. 4 =.
.'Too much emphasis cannot De
placed on the necessity OF acqualntiIs
the American people with the 1acts