Evening star., 1933-09-11
FEDERAL WORKERS
TAKE UP REFORMS
IN ECONOMY ACT
American Federation Holds
First Session Since Split
With National Body.
elimination OF PAY CUT
AND FURLOUGHS ASKED
E. Claude Babcock Is Proposed as
Full-Time President of New
Organization.

With a call from the national presl-
dent, John Arthur Shaw, to formulate
q program designed to be productive OF
the most good for those they represent,
the second annual convention of the
American Federation of Government
Employees started this morning at the
Hamilton Hotel The opening session
also was marked by answering blasts at
the criticism which came last week from
the Kansas City convention Of the Ma
tional Federation of Federal Employees,
whose separation from the American
Federation of Labor two years ago led
to the formation Of the Federation OF
Government Employees.
Convention Is First.
The convention opening today was
the first the Government employees
group has held since organization.
and the principles to be adopted after
they are whipped into final shape by
the Resolutions Committee will cover the
field of reforms sought by Govern
ment workers in their fight against
the economy act restrictions as well
as those issues which are being pressed
for improvement generally OF working
conditions.
To the forefront of these are elimi-
nation of the pay cut and furloughs;
restoration of leave; repeal of the
marital status law; creation Of a
court of appeals" for Federal en-
ployes; preservation and extension OF
the merit system.
Approximately 60 delegates from As
lodges were on hand for the opening.
Some IS of these were reported from
District lodges. with the rest repre-
senting units elsewhere along the sea-
board, Panama Canal. Pacific North
west. Cincinnati, Cleveland and Detroit.
Two proposals for strengthening the
federation are due for action at the
convention.
Babcock May Be Head.
First of all leaders are ready to put
through a plan to make the presidency
a full-time position as in other labor
groups, and it seems certain this move
will prevail. and that the executive to
be named will be E. Claude Babcock.
former secretary Of the Civil Service
Commission.
Babcock, a former national COM
mander of the Disabled American Vet
erans, now is district manager for the
commission at San Francisco and Is
said to be receptive to the post. His
friends feel that his background, par
ticularly because of his long service
gressional committees, would make his
selection an ideal one from the fedora
ton standpoint.
It is also intended to raise the num-
Der of vice presidents from. to 13, and
assign them to as many regions over
the country. in an effort to build up
the membership.
Row Brought Into Session.
The row with the Federation OF Fed
eral Employees. whose convention last
week was attended by representatives OF
the A. FNG E. in an effort to help the
cause of the latter, was brought into
this mornings proceedings in President
Shaws speech, who explained that his
organization grew out of the withdrawal
from the A. F. of L. of the other group:
The withdrawal, he declared. ahgned
thousands against the great labor move
ment and against their fellow workers
at a time when there was need 1or
workers to stand shoulder to shoulder
The new group, he continued. was
formed by himself and others, Is of
whom were dropped by the old for at
tempting to block the split, because
they believed association with the Fed
Grafton of Labor was important TO
workers.
He assailed the other federation as
an "autocratic body and controlled
monarchy and urged his hearers 10
profit by the mistakes" of the past ana
to guide themselves that out OF TINS
convention may come an organlzaCon
that in the future will cause most OF
the good that will accrue to the Gov
ernment employees"
The keynote speech in Kansas City
Of Luther C. Steward president OF the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes. who raped William Green.
president of the American Federation
Of Labor, sponsor Of the rival employees
group, also drew an answer from George
A. Warren, president of Interior De-
partnent Lodge The Kansas City con-
vention voted against reafhliatson with
the A. F. Of L.
Praise Support Of Green.
The convention today praised the
support of Green and his associates.
The American Federation Of Labor head
is speaking at this afternoons session.
Another resolution today indorsed
the purposes of the national recovery
set and called en- workers to become
consumer members.
Tomorrow night the annual dinner
will be held at the Hamilton.
Among the convention speakers Will
be Harry B. Mitchell, president OF the
Civil Service Commission.
The invocation at the opening ses-
sion was delivered by Rev. Simpson B.
Daugherty, pastor OF the Church OF the
United Brethren.