Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-09-14
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
READY TO ACT FOR
BETTER CONDITIONS
American Federation Ends
Session After EIecting
Staff of Officers.
PRESIDENCY ACCEPTED
BY E. CLAUDE BABCOCK
Convention Orders Council to Feel
Out Rival Organization on
Merger Possibility.

Under new leadership the American
Federation of Government Employees
today stood ready to embark on its pro-
gram for betterment of employment
conditions in the Federal service.
The federation wound up its second
annual convention at the Hamilton
Hotel shortly after last midnight after
the election of staff of officers headed
by E. Claude Babcock, former secretary
OF the Civil Service Commission, who
will direct operations for the next two
years. The election, which makes the
presidency and Office of secretary
treasurer full-time positions, took place
after the convention had decided upon
the principles for which it will cam
paign.
Babcock Accepts Office.
Babcock, who now will leave the Civil
Service Commission, where he is district
manager at San Francisco, accepted the
presidency in the following telegram to
the federation made public today:
under present conditions, with your
aid and that of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, can probably serve the
employees, the merit system and the
real interests Of the Government better
outside than inside the service.
We must spare none of those who
would destroy honest employees to make
a Roman holiday We must speak not
only with the force of right but with
that OF might and numbers. Approach
ing months are most important Let
each of us highly resolve to spare no
sacrifice to obtain justice to Govern
ment employees.
Fair Wage Emphasized
I'VE must have fair wages, honor
able working conditions and decent and
stable future prospects. Every employe
who wants a fair deal must be given
an opportunity to join in the effort to
obtain justice for all With the presi-
dency, accept that part of the job to
which you have assigned me-"
AS secretary-treasurer, the Federation
elected Miss Esther Penn, a clerk in
the Veterans Administration at Seattle,
who has been vice president, and has
been active in labor circles in the
Washington city for a number of years.
She defeated David R. Glass Of
Washington, also vice president Glass
was named one of the three vice presi-
dents for the local district. which takes
in also the Virginias and Maryland.
The other two are Elmer H. Bailey Of
Washington and Edgar Hobbs of Bal
tlmore. Other vice presidents chosen
were: John Green, Boston; Grant Prick,
New York. reelected: John F. Daniels.
Philadelphia, reelected; j. A. Campbell.
Cincinnati; E. M. Carpenter. Detroit:
Carey Meyers. Seattle. and Lloyd
Winner of Sunnyvale. Calf. For five
districts-one in the Middle West. two
in the Southwest. one in the Pacific
Northwest. and one in the Soth-there
were no candidates, and the places viii
be filled by the executive council The
convention increased the number of vice
presidents from nine to Is.
New York was chosen for next years
convention.
Merger Move Supported.
As one of its last acts, the convention
adopted a resolution instructing its
executive council to communicate with
the rival National Federation of Federal
Employees to sound out the possibilities
Of merger, under mutually agree
able set of officers, the organization
thus created to be affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor
The resolution presented by Cecil
Mears, president of Panama Canal
Lodge. brought prolonged debate. It
was the consensus the tender would
fall on deaf ears SO far as concerned
leaders Of the other group which last
week voted against Fertilization with
the A. F. Of L., but several supporters
said they expected this graceful ges-
ture" might enlist support from some
members OF the Federation of Federal
Employees
The question of unity was brought
sharply before the convention yesterday
morning by Harry B. Mitchell, president
OF the Civil Service Commission, who
called on the two groups to get to-
gether for their common good.
Planks Are Similar.
The planks m the Federation of Gov
eminent Employees platform. like those
OF the other organization, call for lift
ing the burdens imposed by the econo-
my act and reforms in working condi-
tons. Restoration Of pay-which now
Is in sight; cumulative 30-day leave;
extension of sick leave; hberalized re-
| tlrement extension of classification,
strengthening Of the merit system and
repeal of the marital status law are
major principles. The Federation of
Government Employees also stands for
the 30-hour week and formation of a
department of Government workers in
the American Federation of Labor
which would take in all classes of en-
ployes.
In appointing a full-time president
and secretary-treasurer, the federation
Is taking steps to strengthen its Or
ganization. 1t was decided yesterday
to fix the pay for the incumbents at
SIS, 600 and 50 500. respectiVelv