davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
j. s. To EXPAND.
CHARACTER
INQUIRIES
Years Survey Shows 40 Per
Cent of Job Applicants Unfit;
Some Under Crime Cloud

Far from being reduced or
restricted, the character in
vestigations of applicants for
certain Government positions
likely will be extended, the
Civil Service Commission makes
clear, following a resume Of
IL months of activity during
which nearly 5000 individual
character inquiries were made.
The result that about 40 per
cent of those whose records were
investigated we're found to be ur1'
fit for the jobs they sought, has
spurred the commission to con-
slider extending this method as
an essential step for eliminating
undesirables from government
employ, ranging all the way from
plain inefficient persons to others
with criminal tendencies.
Embarrassing Data
It is unlikely these character
investigations will be extended TO
include the ordinary clerical or
scientific forces, the commission
believing the present. system of
references for such applicants is
adequate.
But in positions having to do
with law enforcement, handling
money or claims, or determining
suitability of others for govern
ment service, the commission de-
sireS to extend it's pre-appoint-
ment inquiries. These seek every
phase of information possible
about the applicants personal,
family, occupational, social and
financial activities.
The commission has informa-
ton on file about applicants and
present job holders which would
surprise and embarrass them.
The principle is, that the govern
ment can afford to be as par
ticular about its employees as is
a bank or department store.
Figures Run High
Thus far, some percentages of
applicants for jobs who have
been found unfit are amazingly
high. Samples are: Deputy prrr
hibition administrator, So per
cent unfit; senior prohibition in.
vestigator. Al per cent Unfit;
prohibition agent. 40 per cent;
storekeeper-gager, 81 per cent,
Metropolitan Police Department,
48 per cent unfit.
Fingerprinting for all card.-
dates for positions will be con.
tinued, the commission declares,
because Of it's success in reveal
ing former crimes and mis-
oemeanors of applicants.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
ANNUAL LEAVES
L0PPED z DAYS

Approximately 1900 employees in
the division Of finance, Veterans
Administration. have had a total
Of two days, two hours and As
minutes taken from their usual
30 days annual leave, on account
Of the rush Of work just before
Christmas, it was announced this
week.
Some days ago q day was taken
from the leave period Of the en-
ployes and now another day and
q fraction have been deducted.
The immediate reason. it was
stated, was the desire Of the Ad-
ministration to get into the mails
some 100000 in checks for ad.
justed service and dependents
claims before New Year Day, and
preferably before Christmas.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
Educational office
Helps u. S. lobbyists

The Federal Office of Educa-
tion, Interior Department, is act
ing as clearing house for
hobby ideas, especially among
teachers in both Government
and other schools.
Teachers in the Government
Indian schools, in Alaska schools,
in the Philippines and other
places quickly learn the arts and
crafts of the people they labor
with, and to this extent at
least "go native" At Christmas
time, friends of these teachers
in far-off places get quaint Yule
gifts, hand made, ranging from
snowshoes to buckskin slippers,
and from inlaid ukeleles to
Spanish ShaWls.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
CLERKS LEAGUE
APPEALS To
CONGRESS
Margaret WorreII Writes on
Aims Of Group; Urges a d,
Closer Cooperation =
W0RRELL
President, League of the American
Civil Service

The League of the American
Civil Service has many matters
affecting Government employees
which it intends to bring to the
attention of the present Con-
gress. It is the contention OF
some persons that the present is
not the most propitious time
for taking up with Congress
matters in which Government
employees are vitally interested.
Nevertheless, the league intends
to keep before Congress the things
most necessary to establish a con-
tented personnel. =,
Our organization has worked
most assiduously for the things
we believe should have been &C.
'complished years ago.
Many Are Interested
There is one thing Government
employees should keep in mind,
and that is there are many mem
bers of Congress who are deeply
interested in their welfare and
who give most generously OF their
time to matters affecting the
employees.
AS a rule, we have found mem
bers of Congress friendly to legls-
lation for Government employees
when such legislation was thor
oughly understood. /,
The things which we are now
interested in having Congress
give consideration to are several
matters having to do with the
present retirement bill; namely,
the abolition of the tontine fea-
ture, which deducts one dollar a
month from each employees sal
ary; optional retirement at 90
years of age after 80 years SER
vive; optional retirement after IS
years service without regard to
age; and annuities ranging from
1865 minimum to $1,000 max
imum.
Advocate Leave
We advocate 30 days annual
leave for every Government en-
ploye, also 30 days sick leave for
every employe; and where condi-
tions Justify it, such as prolonged
illness from accident or other
wise, 80 days additional sick leave
with pay.
We also advocate the estab-
fishing of board of appeals.
where employees who think they
are not properly allocated may
take their grievances; the aboli-
ton of the efficiency rating sys-
tenn and the transfer Of the
duties Of the personnel classified
ton board to the Civil Service
Commission.
Cooperation Needed
These are the things the great
majority of Government employees
are interested in, and the best
way to show that interest is to
cooperate with other Government
employees who are also interested.
You know, in union there is
strength; that is, on some unions.
In others, nothing but contention.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
WORK
NOT HUMDRUM

A terse outline of the field of
activities Of Federal employees in
Alaska, especially those doing
educational, medical and welfare
work, as given in the annual re-
port of the Governor of Alaska
to the Secretary of the Interior,
indicates that their life is neither
as hum-drum nor as easy as the
work of their colleagues here.
Despite railroad advertising
blurbs and hotel procedures,
Alaska is, after all, cold, with
limited transportation facilities,
and lacking many advantages en-
joyed in the National Capital.
Mining and fishing provide
money for it's citizens, and dur
ing the past year values of both
have decreased.
The leading government de-
partmentS and offices having
units and employees in Alaska
are: Public Survey office, U. S.
Land Office, Geological Survey,
Office of Indian Affairs, Alaska
Railroad, National Park Service,
Department of Justice, Bureau Of
Fisheries, Steamboat Inspection
S rvice, Lighthouse Service,
Bureau of Mines, Agriculture Ex.
perimental Station, Biological
Survey, War Department sub
divisions, Weather Bureau For
est Service, Public Roads Bureau,
Customs Service, sInternal Rev
enue Bureau, Public Health
Service, Coast Guard, Coast and
Geodetic Survey, and, Of course,
prohibition enforcement.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
PROMOTES
YEARLY LEAVE

Representative Addison T.
Smith of Idaho has introduced a
bill covering one of the major
factors in the program sponsored
by the organized Federal en-
ployes-co compulsory annual leave.
At present, Government en-
ployes get 80 days annual leave,
subject to permission of bureau
heads and only if such leave will
not interfere with office routine.
Employees feel they have a right
to this leave, and have sought to
make it compulsory. Only oc-
casionally is any employe denied
his full leave. Mr.. Smiths bill
would assure full leave for every
body, both in the Federal and
the District municipal service.
The present 80 days of sick
leave would be reduced to Is
days, but would be cumulative,
so that portions unused one year
might be used the next year,
with a maximum cumulative to-
tai of 120 days.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
Wise Elected Head
Of IncOna-CO Relief

Bert A. Wise, of the bureau Of
accounts, is the newly elected
president of the In-Com-Co Relief
Association, welfare body of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Other officers are: Vice president,
William A. Maidens, formal cases;
treasurer, A. H. Morrow, bureau
of valuation; secretary, j. Ward
Eicher, disbursements.
New members of the board OF
directors are A. H. Morrow, L. E.
Shellberg, Herbert w. Archer.
George M. Jalkson and Ernest
Xendrick.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
Bill Would Merge
War, NGUY Branches

Combining the War and Navy
departments into one large depart
ment of national defense, with one
secretary and having the PreSi-
dent as the commander-in-chief
as at present, is asked in a bill
introduced by Representative Will
liam Williamson, of South Dakota.
The bill was referred to the
Committee on Expenditures IN
the Executive Departments.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
LABOR To STAGE
BIRTHDAY BALL

Plans are already under way
at the Department Of Labor for
the birthday party March 7, 1882,
celebrating the 18th anniversary
of the establishment Of the de-
partment.
This annual ball has been a
brilliant social affair in recent
years, and the coming celebration
will be bigger and more colorful
than ever before, if those in
charge realize their hopes. 1t
will likely be at the Mayflower,
as those previous have.
Robert C. Starr, appointment
officer at the department, re-
mains permanent chairman of the
arrangements committee. Cards
are provided for guests who do
not dance, and additional enter
tainment features are expected
for the coming affair. More than
700 persons attended the last ball,
and the guest list at the coming
party, including prominent Of
ficialS as well as the personnel
of the Labor Department, may
bring the number to 1000.
The Department of Labor was
established in 1918 during Wood.
row wilson's administration. It
has had only three secretaries:
William B. Wilson, the first,
served until 1921; James j. Davis,
now Senator, served until a year
ago when William N. Doak was
appointed. It's stated purpose is
"to foster. promote, and develop
the welfare of the wage earners
in the United States; to improve
their working conditions, and to
advance their opportunities for
profitable employnent."
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
LankfOrd Bill Asks
Welfare Department

In addition to agitation for the
creation of a department Of edu-
cation for the Federal Govern
ment, the creation Of two other
departments is asked in bills in
troduced in the House and referred
to the Committee on Expenditures
in the Executive Departments.
William C. Lankford, Of Georgia,
in H, r. 2l5, asks the creation Of
a department Of general vel
fare"
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
LubOr's Male Chorus
Plans First Concert

The male chorus, being or
ganized among employees of the
Department of Labor, will be
ready for its first concert
around the first Of February, it
was indicated this week.
willard s. Haynie will be d.
rector Of the choral society, with
Martin A. Dowd accompaniSt.
Robert c. Starr, appointment
clerk Of the department, is presi-
dent.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
ECONOMY DRIVE
FINDS SLASH
TALK CROWS
Borah Joins ReductionistS As
Wood, Rich and Others
Stand Firm

The specter of salary reduc-
tion Of Federal employees raised
its head higher this week on
Capitol Hill.
Although leaders of Govern
ment workers aud their friends
in Congress continue to insist
a salary slash is unlikely, the
agitation in Congress for reduc-
ton is sufficient to cause un-
easiness in the ranks Of Uncle
Sam s civilian army.
The latest prominent recruit
among those statesmen who
would save the country by chip
ping bits off the Governments
payroll, including themselves, Is
Senator Borah, Idaho Independent
Republican. who has not decided
whether he will enter a salary
cutting bill or merely support
those already entered.
Wood Stands Firm
Representative Will r. Wood is
still strong for a salary reduc.
ton, despite the opposition OF his
successor, Joseph ByrnS, chair
man Of the Appropriations Com
mittee.
Representative Robert F. Rich
Of Pennsylvania has entered
q bill calling for a 10 per cent
slash and is pushing it. There
are two other bills seeking the
same purpose.
Representative Milton c. Gar
ber, Oklahoma, has one calling for
the following cuts: salaries over
$500, Is per cent; over $2,500, 20
per cent; over $1,000, Is per cent;
over $1,000, 10 per cent.
Representative Ashton c. Shal'
lenberger. Nebraska. has one call.
ing for these salary reductions:
over $4,000, 5 per cent; over $500,
20 per cent; over $2,500, is per
cent.
Hearings Held
Brief hearings were given these
bills last Thursday by the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the Elk.
ecutive Departments. to which
such bills are referred. The COM
mittee will take up the measures
at the first Thursday meeting
after the holidays.
Since this particular committee
thus far has only about 10 bills
before it, including these three
definite action one way or the
other may be looked for shortly
Even recommendations Of one
of these measures by the com
mittee would be but the first
step, and those who speak fol
Federal employees insist that il
such a measure should be passed
to the floor of the House fol
action, passage there would be
unlikely. However, the makeup
policies, personnel, and actions OF
the present Congress are con
sidered so complex, anything Is
regarded as possible.
It is taken for granted that
President Hoover will stand
against a wage slash, while the
American Federation Of Labor
has already delivered to Congress
an ultimatum that wage reduc
tions will not be pasSfVely &C
cepted.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
POUNCE
ON TYP|ST Z
EXAMS
Majority Of $4,000 to Take
Tests Have But Scant
Experience Behind

Most of the $4,000 typists who,
beginning January 8 will under.
take civil service examinations in
900 cities for Government Jobs
here and in the field, will repre-
sent beginners and employees Of
little experience, if previous ex-
periences are repeated. The Per
sonnet Classification Board has
found that so per cent Junior
typist applicants have less than
two years experience, and two
fifths have had less than one
year.
AS for junior stenographerS,
more than one.quarter have had
less than one years experience,
and two-fifths have had less than
two years.
The board has found that
typists, Junior and senior STEM
ographers, and clerk-carriers en-
tering Government service get bet
Ter salaries Cnan III Cne POSlUlOAlS
they left.
Good stenographers, with plenty
of experience. may secure better
pay in private offices-if they
can find the jobs-both initial
salaries and later pay. However,
the fact that $4,000 typewriter
manipu1ators have applied for a
job with the Government, and
$4,000 of these will be admitted
to the examinations, indicates
that salary or no salary. Govern
ment work has tremendous ap-
peal, and that many women and
men prefer the comparative Sc
curity of a Federal post to chances
of higher wages outside.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
Union May Change
Term of Officers

Steps being taken to organize
the various locals Of the Federal
Ernploye Unions in Maryland into
q State Federation are showing
promise Of success, according to
Charles L. Wiegand, Of Baltimore,
a vice president Of the National
Federation Of Federal Employees.
"A meeting will be called soon
after the first of the year to
perfect the organization.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
CHIEF GREE7S POLICE

Christmas greetings to members
of the Police Department bright
ened the usually drab front page
Of the Daily Police Bulletin yes
terday. They were from Police
Commissioner Herbert B. Crosby
and Gen. Pelham D. Glassford, the
new Sllperintendent.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
MINISTER'S ELECT

The Ministerial Union Of Ar
lington county has elected the
following officers for the new
year: The Rev. Perry L. Nit
chell, president; the Rev. Walter
F.. Wolff, vice president; and
the Rev. Ira P. Harbaugh, Sec
retary.treaSurer.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
What's Doing
Today and Tomorrow

TODAY ..
Dance-Chi Sigma Sorority,
lambda Chapter, 10 p. m, Hamil.
ton Hotel.
Dance Beta G NINA Phi,
Alpha Chapter, 10 p. m, Hamil-
ton Hotel.
Dinner Dance-Junior Holiday,
8 .. m, willard Hotel.
Luncheon-t1arrard Club, I p.
M, University Club.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
Accounting Branch
Plans January Dance

The General Accounting Office
branch of Local No. 2, Federal
Employees Union, is planning a
dance and card party for the
latter part of January, the pro-
ceeds going to the locals hospital
guild fund.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26
new YEAR CARD PARTY

The Alpha Community Club, Of
Oxon Hill, Md, will hold q card
party in the parish hall of ST..
Barnabas Church on January 8,
1882.
The Washington times., 1931-12-26

Satisfy your home service needs
through the Business Service Directory
announcements in today's Classified
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-03
BABY'SBODY
RECOVERED
FROM WATER

A young unmarried girl was
held in Matamoros jail today
charged with infanticide while
MatamoroS police were preparing
to drag an artificial lake near
Guadalupe, about IS miles from
Magamoros, where they expect to
find the bodies OF at least two
other babies.
The woman was jailed when the
BODY Of a new4y-born child was
found floating on the water Satur-
day after people living nearby IN
formed police they saw the woman
throw the child's body into the
water. They told police they had
been afraid TO report Immediately.
Witnesses testified that several
babies, none over a few ~Irs Old.
had been dumped into the waters
during the past few years.
Police are puzzled over the fact
that no doctors or nurses have been
found who attended the woman
when the children were horn.
The woman is held in jail with
out bond awaiting trial. scheduled
the latter part Of this week.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-03
Old Document Written By
: = = =
Pres. Fillmore in 1851 To
y y = = X y y = y
Sultan Describes Fast Age

from one place to another with in
conceivable rapidity. From the seat
Of government at Washington i
send my commands in a. few min
utes by lightning telegraph, to all
parts Of the United States; and
they are obeyed."
State department experts believe
Pres. Fillmore was aided in prepar-
alton OF the note by some one ia
miliar with the sultan's country be-
cause il was filled with Mohamme-
dan phrases.
The note was addressed ITO our
great and good friend. his majesty
Seyed Syeed Bin, sultan Of Mus
cat and its dependencies" and
throughout the letter the sultan
was addressed as such.
Expressing hope for the sultan's
health, Fillmore said Il pray that
your days may be many, and that
your reign may continue to be
peaceful, prosperous, and glorious
and that your shadow may never
be less
Referring to letters sent by the
sultan to Pres. Polk. a few years
before, Fillmore said, Il am sorry
to tell you that he no logger is an
inhabitant of the earth. The last
president was Gen. Zachary Tay-
lor-. My heart sinks within me
when I tell you that he too has
joined the ranks Of the immortals."
After explaining the seal OF the
United States had been placed on
the note by the officcI who is
entrusted to hold it. and 10 use it
on great and solemn occasions"
Fillmore concluded by noting that
the document was written May 10,
1851. in the seventy-fifth year OF
American independence. and the
eighth day Of the month Of Redjeb.
in the year Of hegira one thousand
two hundred and sixty seven"
The letter was dispatched aboard
the naval steamship SuSquehanna
in the custody Of Commodore John
II. Aulick.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-03
TO
MURRAY'S OIL
ACTION LOOMS

OKLAHOMA CITY. Aug. 8. Up.
Oklahoma's thousands Of prorated
oil wells flowed on unmoleSted to-
day, taking the rest Of their allowed
production for August, while oil men
maintained their attitude Of watch
frlness. awaiting expected action at
the state capitol. J.
There Gov. w. H. Murray indicat-
ed he would issue today his con-
templated executive order closing
all prorated wells in the state.
Speculation High.
Speculation as to what would oc-
next in the sorely beset indus
try remained at fever heat as the
hours passed without definite word
from Murray. Last NIGHT his only
comment was that he h q not Issued
the order and would have nothing
Il say until today.
The order had been awaited since
late last week, after the governor
issued an ultimatum to crude pur-
chasers. threatening a general shut
down Of the states greatest industry
unless the price Of crude oil was
increased from its present tops CT
AZ and so cents TO a minimum Of 81
per barrel.
While the delay In issuance OF .he
order remained a puzzle. the COVER
nor let ID be known that the order
was prepared and ready for sigma
ture.
He reiterated Saturday night his
determination TO do something"
unless prices took a sharp upturn.
Accuses Majors.
His wrath was trained on the
major purchasers, and large opera
tors whom he accused OF throttling
their smaller industrial opponents
through a combination Of producing.
refining and retailing Of crude oil
products.
Meanwhile, II appeared likely there
would be no change in the contem-
plated plan Of campaign Of the
operators.
This was generally reported TO he
active resistance of any civil attempt
to close the wells. and q test case
IN federal courts If the governor used
the military power Of the national
guard. as he threatened.
Three federal Judges were sitting
in Guthrie today in a Champion Re-
filming Co, case attacking the states
partial shutdown as exemplified bv
the %proration laws. Hearing oral
arguments in the case. the Judges
were expected to withhold immedl-
ate decision.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-03
WILL ABANDON
OLD RAILROAD

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3. =F-
The Oldest steam railroad III the
country he's succumbed TO motor
truck competition.
The Interstate Commerce COM
mission today authorized the Dela-
ware and Hudson railroad to aoan-
don "a miles Of its HoneSdale
branch. The road. built about 1929,
was the one over which ran the
Stourbridge Lion. the first loco
motive to pull a train III this coun-
Try.
The road extends from Honesdale
Junction to Lookout Junction in
Carbonate, Pa. Today's order
authorized abandonment Of all eX-
cept four miles Of the Carbondale
end OF the line.
The road originally was built TO
haul coal out of the Pennsylvania
hills. 1t has been operated at a loss
for several years and the commits
sion said: The road seems in the
main to have outli>ed its useful
ness"
1t added that through coal traf-
fic. for which the line vas 0risi-
nally built. has long moved to the
northeast by other channels and
now so much Of the other traffic
is moving by motor truck that what
is left for the railroad is wholly in
adequate for its support"
The four miles to be continued
serves a group Of anthracite coal
mines near Carbonate.
Passenger traffic on the line
abandoned several months ago
and freight trains have been oper-
ated only three times a week.