Evening star., 1932-10-06
FEDERAL WORKERS
FIGHT EXTENSION
Of FURL0UGH LAW
Local Group Also Wages War
on Permanent Features
Affecting Them.
CIVIL SERVICE FUND
SLASH IS CRITICIZED
Repeal of Working Wives, Com
pulsory Retirement and Leave Re
duction Sections to Be Pressed.

The District OF Columbia Federation
OF Federal Employees will oppose re-en-
actment Of furlough legislation for the
forthcoming fiscal year and will also
seek to knock out permanent features
adversely affecting personnel in the
current economy act.
This was decided last night at the
annual meeting of the federation, which
includes the Washington locals Of the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes
Ihe federation also went on record
against the slash in the appropriations
for the Civil Service Commission on
the ground its efficiency is threatened,
and called on organized Government
workers to urge relief on Congress. The
commission was one of the agencies hit
hardest by the economy act.
The meeting was held in the Carlton
Hotel and was marked also by the an
nual election, John w. Ginder again
being chosen to head the District Fed
Grafton.
Resolutions Adopted.
The legislative program was outlined
in series of resolutions.
One declared the furlough plan has
proved to be demoralizing to the mo-
rale OF Government employees" and
sooed that many business interests
have come to realize that the curtail-
ment Of purchasing power through the
application Of the furlough has ad-
versely affected business in every com
munity in the United States
Inc plan was only to be operative for
the nscal year 1888, the resolution con-
tinued. but 1t has now become appar-
ent, through distribution of propaganda
oy certain business interests and by
pronouncements OF certain legislators.
tnat an effort Will be made to continue
such furlough provisions for another
fiscal year"
In the face of this situation the fed
Grafton was pledged TO use every legiti-
mate means at its command to prevent
re-enactment"
Economy Act Called Unjust.
Another resolution said:
whereas. The economy act, drafted
IN star chamber session, without af-
fording opportunity for hearings to
those affected by its provisions or con-
sulting persons having expert knoWl-
edge. has proved in practice to be one
OF the most confusing, impracticable
and unjust laws ever adopted by the
Congress- and
Whereas the economy act, ostensi-
bly, prepared to cover only one years
appropriation and to aid in balancing
the budget for the fiscal year 1893. con-
talns much permanent legislation, in
Guiding compulsory retirement. reduc-
ton OF annual leave from 80 to Is days,
and the extremely harsh provision
relative to married persons. when both
husband and wife are in service, and
Whereas the present retirement
law, the classification act and other
kindred measures relating to personnel
affairs Of Government employees were
enacted after careful consideration by
the Civil Service Committees of the
House and Of the Senate. full hearing
having been given to all affected by the
provisions of the acts Therefore be it
Resolved. That the District of Co.
lumbia Federation of Federal Employees
Unions go on record as opposed to the
aboye-named permanent legislation in
in the economy law and
pledge themselves to work for the repeal
of the sections of said act relating to
married persons. compulsory retirement
and the reduction of annual leave from
80 to Is days"
The resolution Of the Civil Service
Commission said maintenance of this
'at this critical period in
the personnel affairs of the Government
Is essential to safeguard the welfare of
the employees and the expenditure Of
Government funds"
Declares Work Has Suffered.
Pointing out that the economy act
has applied the ak to the appropria-
ton of the Civil Service Commission to
such degree that its work has suf-
fered and its efficiency may become
impaired" it called upon the National
Federation to make representations to
Congress for adequate appropriation
for this important agency"
Other officers named along with
President Ginder were William S. Kin
ney, vice president, and William Sanger,
secretary treasurer. Ginger. J. Frank
lin Meyer and Edgar Graham were
chosen trustees.
The labor group voted confidence in
Luther C. Steward. president of the
National Federation. and Miss Gertrude
McNally, secretary and heard
a prediction from Steward that the
fight in the last session will be re-
peated on a more intensive scale" in
the next Congress.
Expressing hope that the "hysteria
and panic" declared responsible for the
ineuuities of the economy law will
have been dissipated. Steward never
theless visioned further efforts to i'm
pose detrimental legislation on the Fed
eral woraers.
John D. Cloud. national organizer,
and Vice President Kinney in talks.
hit at the new American Federation
of Government Employees. formed In
opposition to the National Federation
of Federal Employees.
Mario Furnari of Local 349. Paris.
France. and President ]. H. Jacobsen
of the Boise. Idaho. local were guests.