Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-04
Referendum Ordered After
Row in Vancouver Over
Classification Law.
GOVERNMENT WORKERS.
EFFORT TURNED DOWN
Steward Holds Action Violates
Autonomous Rights of Groups
on U. S. Pay Rolls.

The National Federation OF Federal
Employees today submitted to a referen-
dun OF all local unions the question
of withdrawing the federations affilia-
ton from the American Federation OF
Labor. The form letter was sent out
signed by Luther C. Steward, president
and Miss Gertrude Mentally, secretary
treasurer. by direction of unanimous
vote OF the Executive Council Of the
federation. Both favored Withdrawing
This action follows bombshell ex-
pIoded at the convention of The Amer
lean Federation of Labor in Vancouver,
British Columbia, when, after the A.
r of l.. in seven conventions had in
dorsed the principle of the classification
of Federal employees, recommendation
by the Executive Council of the A. r.
of L. was presented opposing all such
classification.
Majority Report Loses.
Representatives of the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees sought to
have this matter referred back to the
Executive Council for hearing OF all
interested parties, but the majority re-
port of the Legislative Committee pro-
viding for such action was voted down.
l4O to $50, and a minority report oppos-
ing all classification legislation was
adopted.
President Steward Of the employees
federation said today this was an in
vaSion of the autonomous rights OF
the Federal employees as an affiliated
organization seeking only to provide
classification standards for their own
group Therefore, the referendum to
all local unions regarding withdrawal
from the A. F. of L. was the only
course left open, MIR. Steward ex-
planned
On Sunday, october 4. the day pre-
ceding the opening of the convention
at Vancouver, President Steward, Secre-
tary-treasurer McNally, and Vice Presi-
dent Fitzgerald, delegates represent
ing the National Federation of Federal
Employees at that convention, obtained
for the first time copy of the report
of the Executive Council Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, intended to
be submitted to the forthcoming con-
yention.
Statement Is Quoted.
Upon examIning the report the foi-
lowing statement and recommendations
we're found under the caption Pro-
posed Classification Bill"
THE personnel classification bill
recommended to Congress should be
opposed by all employees of the Gov
eminent who win be affected by its
provisions.
1T proposes to repeal the classifica-
ton act of 1928, the WEIGH act of 1928,
the Brookhart act of 1880 and other laws
that have been obtained by the en-
ployeS of the Government and establish
an ex-officio board to be known as the
personnel classification board. 1t is to
consist of the director of the Bureau of
the Budget, a member of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission and the chief of the
United States Bureau of Efficiency. The
director of the Bureau of the Budget
will be chairman.
The bill proposes to revolutionize
present methods and leave to the per-
sonnet classification board the making
of rules and regulations to carry out the
provisions of the act. The main purpose
of the bill is apparently to regulate the
classification and fix the wages of those
who perform or assist in in apprentice,
helper or journeyman work in a recog-
nized trade or craft, or to perform the
work Of skilled artisan or a skilled or
an unskilled laborer. or to serve as an
offlcer or member of the crew of a
vessel The rates of compensation for
such positions shall be fixed and ad-
1usted from time to time by the board
Board Would Be Final.
Existing wage boards will not be
abolished. but the personnel classified
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