Evening star., 1931-11-25
Interior Dept. Workers
Against Leaving A. F. L.

TO the Editor Of The star:
As O member Of the National Fedora
ton Of Federal Employees earnestly op-
posed to withdrawal Of the organization
from afiliation with the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, I ask an opportunity,
through the columns Of The Star, to
briefly set forth our case:
We yield to none in zeal for q better
classification Of Federal positions and
employments. AS matter Of fact, one
Of our main reasons for opposing sep
aration from the American Federation
OF Labor is the belief that by 10 doing
we may seriously impair our likelihood
OF securing from Congress . better
classification. We also bear in mind
other detectives, of profound impor-
tance. that Federal employees hope to
attain by organized effort, such as q
more enlightened retirement system. the
shorter working period, machinery with
in the service by which to redress griev-
ances, opportunity to make Of the serv-
ice q career, etc. Such benefits as we
have thus far secured have, almost
without exception, been obtained since
our affiliation with the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. We still have Q great
program to put over, ana many OF ua
absolutely unavoidable, would be url-
wise, to say the least:
The cause Of the whole trouble was O
belief on the part OF representatives OF
certain skilled trades that the proposed
new classification Of positions within
the civil service Of the National Gov
ernment was inimical TO the crafts they
represented. and at the annual conyen-
ton Of the American Federation Of La
Dor, held last month in Vancouver, Brit
ish Columbia, they were able TO secure
the adoption by the convention OF the
following:
"The personnel classification bill
recommended to Congress should be op-
posed by all employees of the Govern
ment who will be affected by It's pro-
visions"
President Green Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor interprets the action
OF the convention as a mandate, not &c
oppose q better classification OF the
Federal service, but o mandate to op-
pose the proposed bill. or any other bill
which does not fully safeguard the in
terestS of the protesting skilled trades
adopting their Interpretation Of what IL
to their interest His statement as q
the course the officials Of the American
Federation Of Labor propose TO take re-
garding classification is as follows:
"Official assurance of the executive
/ ohlcers Of the organization that they
will give full and unqualified support
to classification legislation drafted > !"
for the purpose OF. providing classif1ca-
ton for all Federal employees over whom
your (our) organization has been grant
ed Jurisdiction"
The members Of the Federation Of
Federal Employees not belonging to the
skilled trades-and these constitute the
very large majority-have no desire tc
bring the craft members within the
scope Of the new classification against
their will. realizing that under such
conditions they would be an element oi
weakness rather than Of strength.
In the situation set forth above many
members Of the National Federation oi
Federal Employees feel that suficisnt
cause no longer exists, II it ever existed
for separation from the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, and in view Of the
splendid service 1t has rendered to Gov
ernnaent workers in the past and the
prospect Of its continuance in the fu-
ture would much regret withdrawal
from aff1liatiOn.
GEORGE A. WARREN,
President Interior Department branch.