Evening star., 1933-05-28
PARLEY AWAITED
ON L|A|SON PLAN
LETTERS and Sirovich Seek
Support of Bill to Protect
U. S. Workers.

autnOr OF the Dill TO nave FeQeTal
liaison officer appointed to consider
cases in controversy between civil serv-
ice employees and administrative officers,
are still awaiting an appointment for
a conference on this measure with
President Roosevelt.
The Civil Service Committee will not
consider the S.rovich measure until as
surances have been received that it has
the support of the President. The
President has been too busy on other
major relief legislation to grant con-
ference to Representatives JefferS and
Sirovich The latter conferred with
Budget Director Douglas and quotes him
as welcoming such appointment of
1iaison officer to settle controversies
that will arise out of the economy and
reorganization acts.
Statement BY Federation.
While reafirming its stand in behalf
of civil service court to protect the
rights of Government employees from
being overridden by administrative Of
flcers. the National Federation of Fed
eral Employees yesterday issued state
ment that the Sirovich resolution is
sharply inadequate as a substitute for
the much-needed and long-urged tri-
bunal for settlement of the workers
claims.
Representative Sirovich's resolution to
create the post of liaison officer to ad-
just personnel difficulties is an indica-
tion of the New York legislators con-
tinuing interest in the welfare of Fed
eral employees.
However, it is apparent upon care
full analysis of the Sirovich resolution
that its provisions are not broad
enough, and that even under the pres
ent critical conditions the proposed
legislation would fall considerably short
of accomplishing the ends which its
author certainly must have had in view
Sees Imperative Need.
Mr.. Sirovich said that he believes it
Is imperative to strengthen the morale
throughout the Federal service by pro-
viding for an impartial settlement OF
differences between employees and their
administrative chiefs, particularly in
view of the very large number of sepa-
rations that are to be made from the
Government service both on account OF
the economy act and of the reorganlza-
ton program.
Mr.. Sirovich said he is ANXIOUS to
lay the matter before the President
Hundreds of thousands of Federal
workers are subject to every wf1im OF
their superior officers and without hope
of redress when injustice IS done them,
he said Countless comp eints have
been received by him of grave inJustices
in individual cases and he expressed
the conviction that adequate protection
must be afforded. particularly at this
time. when radical steps have been
taken to greatly reduce the number OF
Government employees. Sirovich en-
phasized that his purpose is to support
the President in his economy program,
but to protect the employees against in
Justice being done by immediate SUI
periors in Office who may be carrying
a grudge against the individual en-
ployes.
Many undoubtedly will lose their jobs
under the reorganization set-up," he ad-
ded, unless something Is done to pro-
tect the interest Of the more efficient.
The ablest employees may be among
those who are released. They are now
inarticulate and should have govern
ment agent who would act as arbiter
IN settling differences between them
and administrative officers"
Would Be Independent.
Mr.. Sirovich emphasized that liaison
officer such as he proposes. appointed
by the President and operating inde-
pendently of any executive department
or agency, having power to investigate
and adjust difficulties, would be of
especial value at present, particularly
in view of the fact the morale OF the
employees is at a low ebb
He explained this liaison officer could,
in extreme cases, bring the facts to the
attention of the President or members
of Congress. or TO the entire member
ship of the House and Senate, if the Sc
riousness of the case warranted it.
There is no tribunal now to which
employees can take their grievances for
hearing and adjustment" Represent
ative Sirovich pointed out In con-
sequence of this, discomfort is engen-
dered and the morale of the service is
lowered. Employees are, therefore, un-
able to give their best service to the
Government I believe the administra-
tion should support my bill for this
reason"
Mr.. Sirovich's bill provides for ap-
pointment of the liaison officer by the
President with the approval of the
Senate. He proposes to have this Off
Ger chosen from among Government
employees who have been more than 20
years in the service. His bill stipulates
a salary of $4,000 year 1t provides
that the officer should have access to
all personnel data and records and re-
ouireS the various departments and
units of Government to furnish him in
formation.
Urged BY Civil Service.
The proposal embodies principle
which the Civil Service Commission mas
supported strongly for two years and
for which the Federal employees them
selves also have argued.
In its annual report for 1881, and
again in 1882, the commission recon-
mended that legislation be enacted en-
powering it ito hear and determine
finally appeals of employees in the clas-
sifieo service who have been reduced
in salary, rank or grade, suspended
from duty or dismissed from the serv-
ice. under regulations to be promll-
gated by the President, the decision OF
the commission to be binding on the
department or Office concerned"
Under existing conditions the COM
mission has a limited authority to in
vestigate removals and reductions only,
and then only when it is charged that
the procedure of the removal law has
not been followed, or that the removal
was made for political. or religious
reasons.
In its own proceedings, however. the
commission recognizes the right of ap-
peal and any worker dissatisfied with
the commission action may lay his case
before the Board of Appeals and Re
view in the commission. This board Is
comnosed of three lawyers and its de-
cisions are final unless they are over
turned by the commission itself. A
valuable factor of the boards work. it
Is pointed out. lies in the fact those
.aorro,,c lna1rinp ANYTHING to do with any