Evening star., 1935-09-05
FEDERATION VOTES
|$1OO,O(O TO FIGHT
FOR MERIT SYSTEM
$50, 900 of Sum Is Pledged
by Delegates at Yellow
stone Park Convention.
STEWARD REELECTED
ORGANIZATIONS HEAD
Resolution Condemns Congress
Policy Of Setting Up Agencies
Outside Civil Service.
BY ]. A. FOX,
STAFF CORRESPONDENT Of The Star.

STAFF Correspondent OF The Star.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK,
Wyo, September 5-Committed to a
campaign to raise war chest" of
100000 to fight for preservation OF
the merit system, the National FEEDER
alton of Federal Employees today
elected officers and prepared to ad-
journ after choosing a convention size
for 1887.
Luther c. Steward, president, and
Miss Gertrude McNally, secretary
treasurer, were reelected by acclama-
ton as the final session of the annual
thirteenth convention got under way.
Steward has headed the group for
II years, while Miss McNally has been
his principal aide since 1920.
Two of the nine vice presidents
John w. Ross Of Norfolk and John H
Thompson Of San Francisco, are re.
tiring Their successors will be VaUy
Owen of Atlanta and Arthur Joachins
Of Seattle.
The decision to raise the merit sys-
TEN defense fund was reached late
yesterday and the delegates immedi-
ately pledged $4,000.
In general, the fund will be used
for publicity and educational work.
Steward said the actual details will
have to be worked out. Pledges
ranged from SIS to $500. Vice Pres
ident Charles L. Wiegand, president
of the Maryland Federation of Fed
eral Employees. said that organization
will start the fund with 81 900 imme-
diately.
The fund was recommended In a
report from a committee headed by
Vice President Walter F. Taylor OF
Tucson, Ariz.
Fight for Good Government.
"In fighting spoilsmen, the National
Federation of Federal Employees is
fighting for good government in be-
half of every American citizen" DR..
Taylor declared. In fighting spoils-
men, we are fighting corruption, mall
administration and the enemies of
every tenet of democratic government.
THE National Federation of Federal
Employees has done valiant service in
its campaign of public education in
behalf of the civil service system, but
the merit system continues in q most
critical situation, and the organiza-
tion's campaign of education not only
must be carried on, but it must bs
expanded so that every American citi.
zen becomes aware Of the dangeri
inherent in present Federal personnel
policies, and of the immediate, press
ing necessity for return to the civil
service system and for the extension
of that system"
Hit Congress Action.
Concurrently, the convention adopt
ed a resolution condemning the prac-
tice of Congress of setting up new
agencies outside of civil service and
calling for retention and extension"
of the merit system.
A number of resolutions were adopt
ed looking toward improved per-
sonnel practices.
One called for "a fair, just and work
able" promotion plan. Another asked
for more flexible system of transfers,
and Steward said efforts were being
made along this line now.
Establishment Of central personnel
agency to unity personnel practices
throughout the service, also was
favored.
| Evfaneioy, of uniform, classificatior,
to field employees was called for in this
connection, the federation prepared
| to seek changes in the rates applied
in some instances in the Navy when
field employees recently we're classified
with resultant pay reductions. Ter
mination of the average" provision
hating promotions within grade alsr
were asked.
Another resolution asked that eff.
cheney ratings be opened periodically
to employees.
Liberal Allowance Asked.
A liberalized subsistence sllowanf
policy for those employees assigned Z
stations-such as hospitals-was ask
optional acceptance of the allowance!
which are charged against pay, wou ]
be permitted when possible.
Federation also recommended wag
policy designed to make Government
employment more attractive as n
career.
Turning to internal affairs the fed
Grafton defeated proposal to increase
the per capita tax from 80 to IS cents,
to create vice president in organiza-
ton at a salary of $4,000 per year and
to change the form of its monthly or
gan, the Federal Employe.
Senator McCarran, Democrat, Of
Nevada, leader in the pay restoration
fight, visited the convention yesterday
and in a talk forecast passage of the
leave bills early in the next session.
McCarran said Government salaries
are still too low. He was greeted with
q demonstration on arrival.
The address Of Harry B. Mitchell,
president Of the Civil Service Commits
sion, also was well received.
Cheers greeting a declaration that
Hthn Civil Sarvire CoTouniceioa is Y1ot