Evening star., 1933-09-07
STEWARD PREDICTS
PLAN Of APPEALS
Of CLASSIFICATION
TeNs Federal Workers That
Civil Service Commission
Is Cooperating.
PRESIDENT Is EXPECTED
10 Be REELECTED TODAY
Miss Gertrude McNally Seen as
Conventions Choice to Retain
Secretary's Post.
BY ], A, FOX,
Staff Correspondent of The Star.

Stan Correspondent OF The Star.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, September T.
Efforts are being made in connection
with the OWL Service Commission te
work out some form of machinery fol
handling classification appeals, Luther
c. Steward, president of the National
Federation of Federal Employees, today
told the convention, at the same time
praising the cooperation by the three
members Of the commission in this
action. He said he is "sanguine fol
the success" Of the proposal.
An employe now has no appeal from
adverse classification action by an ad-
ministrative Office A resolution adopt
ed this morning favored raising to
$4,000 the amount of accumulated re-
tirement deductions which may be
paid to representatives Of a deceased
employe without going through pro-
bate. The convention also called for
lifting the $6 limit ON disability pay
Toe. The first item on this afternoon's S
program was election of officers and
selection Of q convention site
It was confidently expected that
Steward and Miss Gertrude McNally
secretary-treasurer, both of Washing
ton, along with the rest of the official
stan, again would be chosen to guide
the organization for the next two years
The site Of the next meeting was in
doubt, with both Yellowstone Park and
Cleveland seeking recognition
Questions Before Delegates.
With decision already reached on
most Of the major principles to be ad-
vanced, the convention still was con-
fronted today with resolutions calling
for repeal of the marital status law,
which Gusts either husband or wife in
necessary reductions of force, where
both are in Federal service; revision OF
assessments for quarters, subsistence
and laundry where the Government IS
making the same charges despite the
action in cutting pay on the ground
that living costs have decreased IS per
lowances; repeal of the quota law: reg
ulating employment by population. and
establishment of court Of appeals"
for Federal workers.
One of the major causes which the
federation VII advance reached definite
shape late yesterday, when the conyen-
ton decided upon its policies with re-
gard to liberalixed retirement, voting
approval of q plan submitted by COM
mittee headed by Ullery j. Biller of
Washington, seventh vice president, the
veteran retirement expert OF the feder-
alton.
An outstanging feature Of the retire
ment proposal Is that in support OF
disnissai wage for those Government
employees not eligible for retirement law
benefits. One of the sponsoring units
was the District Federation Of Federal
Employees, which has been active in the
whole field Of retirement.
At least five years service would pe
required for eligibility. It is a principle
carried out for dismissed civil service
workers in Canada, Britain and other
countries. The federation only in
dorsed the principle without specifying
Other Retirement Proposals.
Biller also told the convention that
II the legislation were obtained, an
effort would be made to have it retro
active, to care for economy act victims.
Other retirement proposals sponsored
are:
Thirty-year optional retirement, re-
gnrdless Of age. Fifteen-year optional
retirement after age of 60; giving en-
ployes the option of naming a bene-
fctary to receive accumulated deduc-
death. Allowing employees to increase
their contributions for purchase OF ad-
ditional annuity. Providing for lesser
annuity to cover both the life Of the
employe and a beneficiary. Voluntary
retirements on full annuity at the age
al 55, where service has been Is years,
when reduction Of force Is necessary.
Retention Of retirement benefits where
m employe leaves, then re-enters
service.
No action was taken on a proposal to
permit continuance Of annuity pay
ments to widows and minor children,
It being referred to the executive coun-
Gil for action whenever it is believed
the time Is right.
The federation also pledged continu-
ance Of the fight on involuntary re-
tirement at an arbitrary age.
A proposal to allaw borrowing
from the retirement fund was. rejected.
The afternoon session also witnessed
final disposal in perfunctory fashion Of
the proposal to reafhliate with the
American Federation of Labor, reso-
lutions to that end being voted down.
in conformity with action Tuesday,
when the issue first popped up. At
the same time, the convention rejected
q resolution from Washington Local 260
to repeal authority Of the executive
council to suspend members. And an
other from the Cleveland local voiding
the action of the council In suspend1ng
is members In the district who fought
through the courts to block the split
with the A. F. OF l..
Among these were John Arthur Shaw
and David r. Glass, now president and
vice president Of the American Fedora
ton Of Government Employees, and =.
n Bailey, another leader, who has
been here this week in the interest OF
his orranization, formed as Q rival
group.
The convention adopted a proposal
of Local 260, revoking the power OF
locals to confer honorary memberships.
secretsry-Treasurer McNally, q sup
porter. said often this honor went to
those who should properly be active
members. In opposition was Edward
d, scott, q delegate from District Local
II. The executive council now Will
pass upon such memberships.
Urges Improved Personnel
Speaking at the convention dinner
last night. Col. D. w. MacCormack,
commissi6nef OF immigration and nat
,rnlization, said that emphasis should
he laid on Enforcement Of civil service
personnel to take over more important
administrative positions rather than
aimply to extension Of the system itself.
Stricter entrance requirements, q
longer probationary period, running
perhaps i've years, IN comparison to
the year now required, and dismissal
policy that would allow the unfit to
Sc weeded out easily, were suggested
hg the speaker Along with this. he
fsvors "a contractural assurance" that
ouce the employe has passed the tenn
porary stage he would have permanent
employment, or, Il separated Tor other