Evening star., 1933-09-04

CONTINUED From First Page)
certain prominent newspapers and a
number of socially obtuse industrlallsts
mouthed on every possible occasion the
patter about hundreds of thousands OK
useless, supernumerary employees. over
paid, underworked. all receiving 80
days annual and 80 days sick leave
each year. with innumerable holidays;
in addition, that hundreds of millions
of dollars each year could be saved by
the abolition of useless bureaus and
commissions and overlapping func-
tions"
The result Of that was, he added, that
balance the budget was the cry on
every hand by countless numbers OF
people who had not the remotest IDEA
how the expenses of the Federal Gov
ernment were apportioned. but were
completely carried away with the IDEA
that if the overpaid employees were cut
and hundreds of thousands were re-
moved from the pay roll, and the un-
named and unidentified useless bureaus
and overlapping and duplicated func-
tions we're eliminated. the Government
would go on as usual"
Says Prejudices Continue.
These prejudices, Steward interpo-
u.
so-called economy legislation began to
be framed, the speaker said, 1t was
done in secret largely by men who
could be depended upon to be hard
boiled and impervious to ideas" Hear
ingS, Steward .amplifed, either were
denied those who opposed the retrench-
ment measures. or were given with the
plain implication that the testimony
would be unheeded.
Flowing from these ha-dships-dis-
missals, wage cuts ranging above so
per cent. excessive overtime work with
out compensation, lengthening of hours
he told the delegates have come
mental and physical break-downs,
premature deaths and suicides"
However. the union head predicted,
this present phase is only transitory,
and "out of the turmoil of injustice.
discrimination and general confusion
will develop a better Federal service"
Steward discussed proposed legislation
to aid workers only briefly, this subject
being due for treatment in the huge
volume of resolutions which today go to
various committees to be whipped into
final shape before coming to the floor.
He explained that the general situa-
tion has been barrier to any improve
ment in the condition of the workers,
but that it was intended to push for
legislation to classify field employees and
for standardizing sick and annual leave,
emphasizing in this connection that
"the inconsistencies and injustices of
the present leave situation are ap-
parent"
There also is need for liberalization
of retirement legislation, he said, char
acterizing compulsory retirement at at
tained age as "unduiy harsh, restrictive
and out of harmony with the Federal
retirement system" and adding that the
federation should seek repeal of this
provision.
Will Recommend Change.
Steward also recommended that the
organization renew its efforts to have
deputy collectors of internal revenue
nov patronage positions--placed un-
der civil service. He also favored plac-
ing naval planners and estimators un-
der classification, explaining that the
shift of this group from the annual
! basis to the category of employees whose
pay is adjusted by wage boards had
caused them to take a cut and that
! efforts to rectify this situation had
| failed.
Steward promised also that when
Congress conveneS an effort will be
made to get reimbursement for en-
ployeS in navy yards and arsenals
| to whom leave they had earned on
July l., 1882, when the leave privilege
was suspended, was denied. A move
of this sort failed in District Supreme
Court. Relief for War and Navy work
ers put on a short week with corre-
| spending pay cut is also being sought,
| he said
Stewards assault on President Green
] of the Federation of Labor came in the
course of a recital of the history of
the secession from that group by the
| Federation of Federal Employees, which
| took place since the last convention
of the latter, as the result of differ
ences over classification.
He accused Green of attempting to
| destroy the Federation of Federal En-
| ployes and aSsailed the American Fed
| Grafton of Government Enrp3E?es as
| ''rump" organization.
Referring, inferentially, to pending
resolutions for reafflliation, Steward
said this would only be possible If the
| Federation Of Federal Employees gave
up its identity and went into the other
! group on the latter's own terms.
! The report of Miss Gertrude Nc
/ Nally, secretary-treasurer. which also
was submitted today, put the fedora
| ton membership at approximately
| $4,000 in every Government branch
but the postal service. This report
showed that in the past two years the
| federation has added IS new locals
and that % more have been revived"