Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-09
Adjustment of Special En-
pIoye Groups Advised by
Executive Council.
BELIEVES DUAL BODIES
REDUCE EFFECTIVENESS
Indian Affairs and Longer Hours
Also Are Taken Up at
Closed Meeting.

A recommendation for the abolish
ment Of special workers groups in the
Government service whose problems
could be properly handled by the Ma
tional Federation of Federal Employees
was adopted by the executive council
of the latter organization at its clos
ing meeting last night.
The belief was expressed that the
existence of such dual organizations
distinctly hinders the effectiveness of
the National Federation. The objec-
tions to the dual groups were based on
the following assumptions:
That they tend to distract members
and interest from the National Fedora
ton; that they tend to increase or
ganization costs to the individual; their
lack of complete information on many
matters tends to discredit all employees
groups in the eyes of Congress and adj
ministrative officials, and that it re-
suits in confusion in the public mind"
Indian Affairs Discussed.
Other matters touched upon by the
council before adjournment concerned
the handling of Indian affairs. the
question of diseases contracted IN line
of duty, the longer hours recently made
effective for Navy Department employees
and the questional of putting govern
mental work on more sound business
basis
Resolutions of appreciation also were
drafted and sent to members of Con-
gress and administrative officials show
ing any particular interest in the prob
lens of Federal employees.
One of the more important resolu-
lions took the form of vigorous pro-
test against the unnecessary lengthen-
ing of working hours for employees in
the Navy Department" 1t was asserted
that a considerable number OF clerical
employees in this department have been
needlessly transferred from the seven
to eight hour group.
Figures Are Quoted.
After quoting figures purporting to
show a so per cent waste in the man
agement of industry, the council draft
ed a resolution urging the President to
provide for study of management IN
the Government service. with the OBJ
jects of securing better jobs, better pay
and the consequent higher personnel
standards; lower unit cost OF produc-
ton, and reduced cost and increased
efficiency in all Government work"
Asserting that Indian wards of the
United States deserve all possible as
sistance in adjusting themselves to
their new existence. the council voted
to request the President and Congress
to give the most careful consideration
to the whole problem of the Indian
service"
Particular attention was taken of as
sertions that many Government work
ers contract diseases in line of duty,
and that these persons cannot receive
Government compensation under the
present legislative restrictions on this
subject.
Resolution Adopted.
A resolution in this connection was
adopted, urging conference between
officials of the Federation and the Gov
eminent Employees Compensation Com
mission and the proper congressional
committees, with the object of prepar-
ing and passing suitable measure to
afford relief in all cases where disease
is contracted in line of duty.
A final resolution, urging that the
steering committee Of the House place
upon the legislative program for the
current short session bill to amend
the retirement laws, which having
passed the Senate has been favorably
reported to the House by the commit
tee on civil service.