Evening star., 1931-12-16
u. S. Workers Leaving
LaborUnion Deplored
% the Editor OF The Star:

10 the EDITOR OF Inc 6tar.
Less than 1900 votes for separation
from the American Federation of La
Dor; more than 1900 votes against 1t,
and, for various. reasons, $4,000 not
voting at all. would like to voice nv
sorrow and express my opinion on the
subject, but perhaps I may be all
wrong, but as have written my piece
I hope that you may see fit to print it,
The National Federation of Federal
Employees forever has on hand a CAM
paign to secure additional members
yet, by this action, instigated by some
OF the heads OF the organization, 1t has
divorced itself from the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, consisting of I know
not how many members, which mem
bership would. at the least, lend moral
support If nothing more tangible. In
union there is strength and in number
lies power, but in division there is
weakness and contention.
Ihe split Is said to have occurred
over method Of reclassification with
the view OF readjusting salaries.
person learning trade, If a nlem-
oer OF union, Is assured, at the end
OF the apprenticeship, the same rate of
pay as that OF the regular journeyman.
"A Government employe enters the
service at certain rate of pay, with
no assurance OF when the amount will
oe increased. A fraternity associate or
person having a fad in Common with
that person in power may advance
quicker than the employe who has no
such affiliation. This is a natural and
human trait. In the postal service this
is not entirely true; promotions are at
stated intervals and automatic. If an
employe is good enough to keep they
are generally good enough to be pro-
NOTED on account of added experience.
My suggestion Is that the promotion
OF Government employees be automatic;
that salaries be increased on account
OF length Of service and that the mat
ter be in the hands of the Civil Service
Commission.
For illustration the Department of
interior needs a certain number of
clerks at $1,000. ST l,4o0, $1,000 and so
on up to $4,000, and makes requisition
on the Civil Service Commission. The
civil Service Commission now INQUIRIES
into the qualifications of a person for
entry INTO the Government service let
them continue to attend to his relation
concerned. until retirement. John Smith
enters the Government service at sl 200
per annum in the Department of La
Dor. At the end Of two years the Civil
Service Commission sends an inquiry to
the Department of Labor as to his fit
ness Tor promotion. and If unfit in what
particular, and John Smith is then pro-
motea or given reason per report of
tne department Of Labor, why he will
not be promoted.
This may eliminate the unbusinesslike
personal friendship to some extent and
relieve the heads of the department Of
the embarrassment of having TO turn
down some worthy persons who need
and are entitled to promotion.
IL may be a move in the direction of
economy in consolidating the personal
records OF the employees under one head
ana In expert hands. A Government
clerk Is but cog in wheel that moves
the ship OF state, and needs richer oil
more pelf) occasionally to function
properly.
II the laws continue to be made in
the interests Of certain bIocs. WHY. in a
short time there will be so many blocs
that the wheels of Government will be
blocked, because a successful business
cannot be run by blockheads.
Certain interests will vainly trv to
milk the Government COW, but she will
be dry and the public pie counter ad-
]ourned sine die Uncle Sam NAV be
running charity organization. but it
takes more than buttons to buy beans
and diplomats cannot exist by dough-
nuts alone. CHARLES J. SIMPSON.