Evening star., 1933-11-25
Move Toward "PoIitiCaI
Sp0ilS" Draws Fire of Gov
ernment Employees.
EQUALIZED PAY ASKED
FOR WELFARE GROUP
Delegates to Reinstatement League
Meeting to Ask Jobs for Econ.
omy Act Victims.

The move to do away with compotl-
tive examinations by the Civil Service
Commission for selecting District en-
ployes last night drew the fire of the
district department, American Fedora
ton Of Government employees. which
went on record condemning any step
in this direction.
The federation, meeting in the Ham
ilton Hotel. adopted this resolution:
Whereas a considerable movement
now appears underway TO abandon the
merit system of appointment to posi-
tions in the District service. and re-
establish the former, discredited prac-
tice of treating these positions as po-
litical spoils
Resolved by the district department
of the American Federation of Govern
ment employees that We condemn al
such efforts and pledge our unqualified
support to the maintenance of the
merit system and do all within our
power TO repel attacks thel con from
any and all quarters"
The federation was the first unit Of
organized employees to voice its senti-
ment on this matter, which was barred
by The Star Thursday, and which has
been assailed by readers Of employe
groups.
The disclosure by The Star was
referred to by E. Claude Babcock, ma
tional president of the federation. III
discussing the resolution which was
offered by George Warren. president OF
the Interior Department Lodge.
Equal Pay Sought.
Another resolution last night called
upon the District Commissioners and
Leroy A. Halbert, emergency relief di-
rector. to equalize the pay of local Wei
fare Board workers with that of civil
service employees. hundreds of whom. 1t
was said, would draw more than the
relief group.
The department voted to send two
delegates to the conference to be held
January 23 by the Civil Service Re-
instatement League TO line up Govern
ment unions behind the move TO get
positions for economy act victims who
now are on the Civil Service Commis-
sion unemployment registers. Michael
Schaffer, the department president. an
nounced that he and John P. Simpson
would represent the federation.
1t was also decided that the depart
ment would hold a mass meeting
shortly after Congress convenes, in the
interest OF obtaining restoration OF GOV-
ernment pay
Babcock also told the meeting that
false propaganda" had been spread in
the newly-created Government agencies
to prevent unionization of employees He
said secretary of Agriculture Wallace
and Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. N. r. A.
administrator, had been misrepresented
as opposing organiza ton of the workers.
The newly-formed N r. A. lodge of
the federation also met last night at
A. F. Of L. headquarters, and elected
permanent officers.
Donovan Is Elected.
John Donovan, who has been serving
as acting president. was chosen to head
the group, and Miss Margaret Stabler
who, with Donovan, was responsible for
organizing the lodge. and has been
acting secretary y-treasurer, was made
secretary. Other officers chosen were:
Malcolm Ross, vice-president; William
SwetZ, treasurer, and James Holloway,
sergeant at arms.
Members charged that some Office
heads were attempting to intimidate en-
ployeS to prevent their unionization, and
Donovan said the lodge proposed 10
compel change Of tactics If it became
necessary. A committee was appointed
to look into this. A resolution was
adopted favorI1g pay restoration