Evening star., 1935-09-09
American Federation of Gov.
ernment Employees Hears
Plea at Cincinnati.
FACTI0NALISM RUNS
RIOT AT CONVENTION
Paul David of 7. V. A. and John
Donovan of N. r. A. Run
ming for Presidency.
BY ]. A. FOX,
STAFF CORRESPONDENT of The Star.

day by +. CLAUDE BaDCOch, president
of the American Federation of Gov
ernment employees. as the third an
nual convention opened in the Neither
land Plaza Hotel, with factionalism
running riot.
Recalling that the economy laws OF
1928 practically had been wiped out,
Babcock warned, however, that I'VE
must realize that the forces that
jammed this bill through never sleep,
and that they are cooking up another
and perhaps more drastic economy
bill"
Adding that the legislation had
been productive only OF evil social
consequences, and had failed to effect
any savings, Babcock said the fed
Grafton was ready for any new efforts
in this direction, and will resist the
self-styled economizers to the limit"
Divided on Personalities.
Babcock's warning, contained in his
annual report, went before a conven-
ton that was openly divided on per-
sonalities as it prepared to begin de-
liberations looking toward preparation
of a legislative program for the bene-
fit Of Government works to be pressed
IN the next Congress.
To start with, Paul David of the
Tennessee Valley Authority, Knox
vile, has entered the lists for the
presidency against Babcock who is
seeking a second two-year term. A
third potential candidate is John
Donovan, president of N. r. A. Lodge,
long a Storm-center in the federation
who is standing aside for the moment
but threatening to run for the pres
idency if no candidates support the
program he and his faction advocate.
One of the planks in his platform
calls for the right to picket in en-
ployment disputes-such as was done
at the time he forced. via the Labor
Board, his reinstatement after dis
lnissal by Gen. Hugh S. johnson, the
recovery administrator.
The N. r. A. lodge may have to
defend its right to remain in the
federation, the executive council hav-
ing voted to prefer charges" against
the group which has been at odds
with the majority for months. The
Charges" are not expected to take
definite form until after the conven-
ton. 1t would then be possible for
the council to suspend the lodge until
the next convention, year hence, if
it was decided after a hearing to
do this.
Out to Defeat Miss Penn.
Bahcock and his supporters are pre-
pairing to defeat for reelection Miss
Esther Penn, secretary. and at
caucus last night in which group
of district and field delegates partic-
ipated, Miss Bernice Hefner of the
Veterans Administration, Detroit, was
chosen as the administration candi-
date for this post
Miss Penn, in the meantime, has
lined up with David. Another fight
centers on the treasurership now held
by Cecil E. Custer, an administration
leader, for whom one group, in which
Ira D. Scott. president of the District
federation. is active, is cunning. Gus
ter was named last year when the
financial work was taken away from
Miss Penn, then secretary treasurer,
and his supporters say his term was
for two years. Opponents. however.
contend it was for one year only.
Their candidate is reported TO be John
D. Clarke Of Washington.
Vice Presidents Opposed.
The vice presidents the administra-
ton is proposing to oust are Elmer H.
Bailey, ST., of Washington; c. Grant
Frick of Brooklyn, Irvine Coulter of
Pensacola and Michael j. Hines of
Leavenworth, Kans David r. Glass
Of Cherrydale, Va, is retiring
To succeed Bailey and Glass, Ira
Balm and Carroll Dimond of the Dis
trict department are administration
choices. No names have been men
toned in connection with the other
places.
At the caucus last night it was
claimed that the administration con-
trolled l64 votes out Of maximum Of
210 eligible to be cast The opposi-
tion, though, is conceding nothing.
1t Is intended, II possible, to get the
elections out of the way tomorrow and
bring a measure of peace that will
permit the convention to go ahead
on its legislative program in which
the key declaration is:
Maintenance of the highest stand
ards of working conditions and of
adequate wages, in the service Of the
United States Government, to lead the
way for industry in personnel treat
ment.
This program was appended to the
annual report, in the course of which
Babcock also enumerated employe
gains In the past year, including full
pay restoration. 1t was brought out
that the total membership of the or
ganizations is 20,038.
The report also was critical of the
National Federation of Federal EN-
ployes, tossing several shafts in the
direction of its rival.
Green Unable to Attend.
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, an ex-
pected participant in the convention
opening, was unable to attend send
ing in his stead James A. Wilson, q
member of the Cincinnati City Coun-
Gil, who formerly was on the executive
council of the A. F. of L. as interna-
tional president of the pattern max
ers without mentioning by name the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes, Wilson said there was no rea-
son for its withdrawal from the
A, F. of L. This split, taking place
in 1881, was the upshot of differences
over the classification of freed work.