The Washington times., 1931-11-21
CLASSIFICATION
ISBEST HOPE
Of UNION
Referendum Issue Clear Cut,
Writes Luther Stewart;
B.. Awaits Returns

BY LUTHER O. STEWARD
President Of the National Federation Of
Federal Employees
It is understood that when
the Vancouver convention of
the American Federation Of
Labor adopted a resolution in
opposition to the classification
Of Federal employees, it struck
a terrific blow at the very
cornerstone upon which the
structure of progress for Gov
ernment workers is based.
Classification is recognized by
ali competent authorities as be-
ing the keystone Of a forward
looking civil service system. From
it's very inception, the National
Federation of Federal Employees
has dedicated itself, under man
date from successive conventions
of representatives Of the organlza-
fion, toward the enactment Of the
kind of a classification law which
not only would eliminate many
evils but would provide a sound
basis upon which future progress
might be made.
Means Higher Salaries
Classification is the salary-get-
ting legislation. Such legislation
would do away with the So-called
average salary restriction" which
has been condemned by the high
est personnel authorities OF the
land. It also would eliminate the
present unjust system Of eff
cheney ratings; and it would pro-
vide. as any well-ordered system
of personnel administration must
provide, for periodic salary IN
creaSes.
without going into detail here
upon the apparent lack Of under
standing Of the issues involved
upon the gross violation of the
rights of a constituent member,
and upon the sacrifice Of interests
of such a member, it may be
stated that the action OF the
American Federation OF LABOR
obviously and unquestionably de.
manded that the membership OF
the National Federation Of Federal
Employees be given the opportunity
Of voicing an opinion on the queS-
tion of remaining within the ranks
of q group so apparently out OF
sympathy with its basic idea.
Attempt to Cloud Issue
This was the point of view Of
the executive council of the Ma
tional Federation of Federal EN-
ployes when it voted unanimously
to afford the membership that
opportunity Of expressing itself
through the referendum now be-
ing taken.
Attempts to becloud the issue at
stake by flowery but essentially
meaningless and impossible Of &C
complishment generalitieS are un-
fortunate. Diversion Of attention
from the single simple, yet COM
plex and important issue is bound
to react against the best interests
Of the employees themselves.
Classification alone can accom-
plish the ends which are sought
so earnestly by all those who have
the best interest Of Government,
public and employees at heart. And
e blow struck at classification is
too serious a matter to be ignored.
Issue Is Clear Cut
None more than the Executive
Council regretted ordering the
taking of the referendum Of with
drawal. None were more shocked
that the American Federation Of
Labor should take step so con-
trary to the best interests Of SO
large and so representative a
group. To have ignored that step
would have been a demonstration
of q total bankruptcy Of leader
ship and willful neglect Of the
welfare Of the group involved so
largely.
The issue clear-cut and impera-
tive, in its demand for action, now
is before the whole membership
Of the National Federation Of
Federal Employees by unanimous
vote Of their chosen representa-
tives. With that membership
rests the final decision.