Evening star., 1934-09-12
President Babcock and Sec
retary, Miss Penn, at
Odds Over Rights.
MANY LEGISLATIVE
PROPOSALS ADOPTED
Woll Urges Strengthening of Fed
Grafton Ranks-End of Paid
Broadcasts Favored.
BY JOSEPH A. FOX,

BY JOSEPH A. FOX,
Staff Correspondent Of The Star.
NEW YORK, September 12.-An
internal fight was in prospect today
as the American Federation of Gov
ernment Employees went into its con-
cluding session here.
A clash between z. Claude Bab-
cock, president and Miss Esther
Penn, secretary-treasurer. over their
official prerogatives- seemed certain
to be aired by the delegates. this de-
velopment coming last night after
the Executive Council had failed to
adjust the issue.
Organization policies are said to
have been the source of the dissen-
sion, with both of the principals feel
ing that there has been an attempted
usurpation Of their rights by the
other. Efforts at settlement have
proved futile.
Delegates were speculating on the
chances Of possible changes in official
personnel as the result of the trouble.
Both officers were chosen year ago
for two-year terms.
In a lengthy session yesterday the
convention adopted numerous pro-
posals for legislation for improving
employment conditions in the Fed
eral service, and heard pledge of
continued support from the Amer
ican Federation of Labor by Matthew
Woll, vice president, who urged the
organization, an afiliate of the A. F.
Of L., to strengthen its ranks.
End Paid Broadcast.
The convention voted for one
change in the policy Of national
headquarters, deciding against the
continuation of paid broadcast
while Congress is In adjournment.
The Committee on Organization rec
commended that this be done, and
that the money be used instead for
direct organization work. The fed
Grafton has one free time period over
VOL, in Washington, and the pro-
gram to be eliminated win be that
over the National Broadcasting Co.
station.
The committee proposal brought
on sharp colloquy, David r. Glass,
vice president, Of Washington,
terming it insulting" to President
Babcock, who conducts the broad
cast. John p. Green of Boston, a
vice president, chairman of the COM
mittee. disclaimed any intent to re-
feet on the national office, and Bab-
cock injected that the committee ac-
tion was satisfactory.
Miss Penn, in her annual report,
urged that attention be centered on
organization In those sections where
the federation needs 1t.
This point also was emphasized by
Woll, who said the fate of the Gov
ernment employees rests in the strength
they can muster and exercise at the
polls. Government employees must be
aligned with those in private indus
try. Woll continued, adding that the
groups are interdependent.
He praised the federation for its
efforts In behalf Of pay restoration,
and expressed hopes for the return
with interest" of the remaining per
cent of that ''unwaranted and unjusti-
liable reduction in pay"
Shorter Hours Fight.
Vol also argued for continuation
Of the fight for shorter hours, and
termed the 40-hour law enacted for
the skilled trades at the last Congress
the opening wedge" The Govern
ment is advising private industry to
cut its hours, the labor chief said,
and should be the first to put its own
house in order"
If 1t does not, he continued, "it
stands almost in the position Of q
demagogue." The 5-day, 30-hour week
should be the goal Of labor, he said,
and the convention adopted resolu-
ton backing this. Another resolution
called for restoration Of the full-pay
scale; earlier o resolution urging this
base pay be raised, was adopted.
The Secretary of the Navy was asked
In another resolution TO abandon the
minimum and intermediate scales for
navy yard laborers and pay only max
imum rates. Adjustment Of all pay
rates in the District Emergency Re
lief organization also was called for.
Only a partial adjustment has been
made in this long g-standing case, it
was said.
Before winding up for the day the
convention sent message of appre-
citation to Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt,
who, in a brief speech earlier. re-
called to the minds Of the delegates
the oft-quoted expression of President
Roosevelt about the forgotten man"
when she said she sometimes feels
that the Government forgets its OBJ
legations to It's workers, and hoped
for better Federal employer-e -employe
relationship that would stand as q
pattern" for the country.
The convention dinner was held
last night at the Pennsylvania Hotel.
where the sessions are In progress.