Evening star., 1934-01-05
RETIREMENT FUND
. CHANGE IS URGED
Civil Service Commission
Would Allow Annuitant to
Name Beneficiary.


anuitant to designate a beneficiary 10
whom his retirement fund would go IN
case of death, was recommended by
the Civil Service Commission, in the
annual report to the President today.
The commission also recommended
that veteran preference for employ
ment in the Government should be
limited to those WHO served their
country in war time, or to the widows
or wives of these, who, under. certain
conditions now have this preference.
These were the new recommended
tions of the present commission, which
otherwise repeated suggestions for other
reforms in civil service procedure that
have been sponsored by commissions
IN the past.
Other Recommendations.
These other points include:
To empower the commission to act
as Court of Appeals to hear en-
ploye grievances, the decisions to be
binding, with no appeal except to the
President Of the United States.
To place postmasters in first, second
and third class Offices under civil service
"a plan that already is under contem-
plation by the administration.
To give civil service status to other
administrative Offices as are not policy
determining, such as customs and IN
ternal revenue collectors and deputies,
deputy marshalS and most attorneys.
Optional retirement at so, after 80
years service.
Providing for annuity for employees
retired for disability and who recover
before reaching automatic retirement
age, but are unable through no fault
of their own to be reinstated within the
90-day limit for annuity payments now
provided by law.
Placing entire administration of the
retirement act under the commission,
which now divides responsibility with
the Veterans Administration, where
the fiscal features are handled
Extension of classification to the
field service.
Requiring departmental heads to in
fict upon workers disciplinary action
recommended by the commission for
O violation Of the political-activity rule.
Limited Veterans Preferment
In support of its recommendations
for limited veteran preference, the
commission says there is no more
reason to allow preference in appoint
mentS to civil offices to those who Sc
lect military service as an occupation
in time of peace than there would be
to allow preference to all persons who
engage in any potentially hazardous
pursuit under the Government"
Giving employees the right of appeal
In disciplinary actions would, the COM
mission believes, make for more effec-
tive personnel management and would.
as we'll. promote the general welfare of
employees" It has recently set up its
own Cancellation Committee as a step
In this direction, and is promoting them
elsewhere in the Government.
1T is often charged" the report says,
shat inefficient employees are retained
while others are removed without justi-
fcation and that for violations of rule
or regulation of the same gravity differ
ent punishments are inflicted, notwith-
standing the provision of the civil serv-
ice rules that like penalties shall be i'm
posed for like offenses.
Many Complaints Received
1.-THE commission Is constantly re-
ceiving complaints of improper treat
ment in efficiency ratings, of unjust re-
movalS, suspensions. and other adverse
actions, but it is without power to take
remedial measures except in cases of
dismissal, and then only when it is
alleged, with offer of proof. that the
procedure required by the civil-service
rules has not been followed or that the
dismissal was made for political or re-
hgious reasons. Moreover, the commits
sion has no power to compel the res
toration OF an employe to duty if it
should ind that he was improperly re-
moved.
The removal or reduction of en-
mr. h0 in of icIo
according to the gravity of the offense, |
are personnel matters purely, and the |
commission, as the central personnel |
agency of the Federal Government. |
functioning under the supervision of the |
President of the United States, logically |
Is the body to be charged with the duty |
and responsibility of hearing and de- |
termining appeals in such matters made !
by employees in the competitive classified !
service.
I'VE, accordingly, recommend ID |
that the commission be authorized by |
statute to investigate and conciliate |
diff tferences-ariSing out Of removals, re- |
ductions, or uspensionS-between en-
ployes in the competitive classified |
service and their Superiors, the decisions |
OF the commission to be binding, with |
no appeal except to the President of |
the United States; and 90 that, in
order to facilitate the adjustment of |
differences within the departments as
far as possible, committees be establish
I'd by the several departments and in
dependent agencies, such committees to
make inquiry and adjustment when
ever possible, subject to review by the
commission.
The commission is convinced that
an economy could be effected by remov-
Ing all consideration of party affilication
from the appointment of postmasters,"
the report says.
Would Repeal Existing Laws.
1.-THE commission believes that the
most practical way of bringing first,
second and third-class poStmasterships
within the competitive classified service
would be to set by law definite date,
say few years hence after which all
>fices of postmaster would be filled
through open competition or promotion
lnder the civil service law and rules.
s9E W