Evening star., 1933-09-06
Retaliation Rejected.

had cleared its decks of controversy by
voting unanimously against a proposal
advanced from several loca.s for reaffili-
alton with the American Federation OF
Labor and also against resolutions call
ing for reduction in the pay of the
naJiOnal officers and the staff at Wash
mgtOn headquarters.
As the convention waded into the
grlSt of business presented in the reSo-
lutiOnS from every section of tn coun-
try, the first important issue was that
dealing with protection and extension
Of the merit system. Here the fedora
ton went on record against dismissals
OF civil service workers in the old estab-
1ished agencies and the concurrent en-
ployment OF new personnel in the newly
created agencies, declaring this tends
to restore the Spoils system" Hitting
at the tendency to create new groups
without regard to classified civil serv
ice, the federation expressed the belief
that all but recognized political posts
in the Government should come under
the merit system and pledged itself to
fight for this principle.
Another resolution favored civil serv-
ice status for employees in the Veterans
Administration concerned with domestic
duties, and for seasonal inspectors OF
navigation. A proposal to put deputy
collectors of internal revenue under
civil service. from which they have
been removed by law, went to the
Executive Council for handling.
The convention also called upon the
Government for a definite policy with
regards to recruiting workers. dismis-
sails and transfers. Along the same
line. the abolishment of necessary Gov
ernment activities, including scientific
agencies. in the name Of economy, tax
ing out of the service qualified workers,
also was condemned The District Fed
Grafton sponsored the cause of the
scientific groups.
Wholesale "unblanketing" Of en-
ployes covered into Civil Service by
Executive order was assailed in an
other resolution. which asked the ma
tional officers to discuss this matter
with President Roosevelt to the end
that the agitation for such action may
be blocked. Speakers emphasized that
many Government workers who were
brought into service for war needs,
would be caught in an unrestricted un-
blanketing policy.
Dismissal Notice Asked.
Another resolution calling for three
workers due for dismissal, was adopted,
but a proposal to use a demotion sys-
TEN in diSmissals which would lower
the grade of those in higher places but
allow them to keep jobs, and thereby
cause reductions in the lower grades
only, was referred to the Executive
Council.
These principles in effect, existed un-
der the old system of longevity credits
which recently was destroyed by an ex-
ecutive order by President Roosevelt.
On the subject of pay the officers
Of the federation were instructed Ito
use every legitimate means to induce
the Government, as an employer, to
lead in the program of increasing
wages and reducing hours OF labor" :"
Coupled with this was demand for
termination of wage cuts and furloughs.
Specific pay proposals included opposl-
tion to changing duties without chang
ing pay: application of salary standards
provided by the classification act;
restoration of the right to pay increases,
taken away by the economy act; pay
for overtime or compensatory time;
opposition to reduction of pay of those
employ a put on a five-day week; aboll-
ton of the average salary clause; mini
mum salary of not less than 81, 500 for
all full-time, adult workers.
The federation also called upon its
locals to make cost of living studies,
so the organization might be in posses
sion of the facts on varying conditions
over the country to base the wage cam
paign. In this connection, resolutions
both opposing and favoring geographic
cal pay differentials were referred to
the executive council.
Taking up the question of leave, the
federation voted in favor of restora-
ton of the 80 days annual leave, with
the right to accumulate time up to 100
DAYS, and for Is days sick leave with
the same cumulative right.
Another proposal indorsed was for
establishment of centralized Govern
ment personnel agency for scientific"
administration of all personnel matters.
It was suggested by President Luther c.
Steward that President Roosevelt had
the right to enlarge the Civil Service
Commissions powers in this respect.
The federation voted protest against
the Civil Service Commissions policy