The Washington times., 1935-09-05
NFFE TO SPEND
$4,000.
MERIT PLAN
BY J. EARLE MOSER


Covering Federal Employees NetUs
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL
PARK, Wyo., Sept. 5.-Having
established a $4,000 fund for de-
Tense and extension Of the merit
system and backed resolutions
asking an improved promotional
system and classification for all
departmental and field positions,
the National Federation Of Fed
eral Employees met here today de-
termined to wind up business OF
the thirteenth biennial conven-
ton.
The principal items scheduled
were election of officers for the
next two years and determination
Of the 1887 convention site. 1t
was almost assured that Luther
c. Steward and Gertrude M. NC
Nally would be again chosen as
national president and secretary
treasurer.
Two Chief Changes
Two changes were expected
among the vice presidential list.
John H. Thompson of San Fran
cisco and John w. Ross OF Nor
folk, were reported intending to
resign because of pressure Of bust
ness, and delegates here indicated
that Joseph Aiken, Of Seattle, and
Vaux Owen, Atlanta, would sue
coed them as fourth and sixth
vice presidents, respectively.
Equally probable was the Selec'
ton Of Springfield, Illinois, as the
next convention site, the delega-
ton from that State having been
reported as holding 119 promised
votes, enough to swing the issue.
One of the most advanced
steps in it's 10 years Of support for
the merit system in the Federal
service was made by the organiza-
ton here late yesterday when
delegates pledged their unions and
State declarations to cash amounts
of approximately $4,000, to
establish q merit system emer-
gency defense fund.
Setting up of the fund was
voted after a proposal by DR..
Walter Taylor, of Tucson, Ariz.,
fifth vice president, and an ulti-
mate goal of 100000 for the pool
was advocated. The money will
be used for publicity and public
education for the merit system
as against spoils tactics, it was
said.
First Check $1,000
Cash pledges 1nging from
$500 to $25 were made after
adoption Of the report. and late
last night Charles Wiegland, Of
Baltimore, placed check of
$1,000 on behalf of the Maryland
State Federation Of Federal En-
ployeS, on file with President
Steward as the first actual de-
post.
The delegates also passed RESP
luton number one, calling for re-
tention and extension of the merit
principle, and voted to initiate
an immediate membership orive
to swell the present National
Federation of Federal Employees
roster of 536 local unions to 1000.
Declaring that workers under
present conditions in many offices
are denied the privilege of ex-
aiming their personal records
and efficiency ratings, the conven.
ton voted unanimously amid
cheers, that the NFFE sponsor
regulations to permit employees to
examine their records. It was also
resolved that a copy Of additions
to personal records that might
constitute basis for charges against
q workers record should be fur
niShed to the employe at the time
Of recording.
Cheers, whistles and tremen.
douS applause both preceded and
followed a speech by Senator
Patrick A. McCarran. Of Nevada,
here during yesterdays late ses-
sion.
The Senator. who led the recent
pay fight and has been termed
''the great restorationiSt" by
Luther Steward, told his audience
that Government Stipends are
."altogether out of line with the
salaries given in other industries"
and added that as long as he is
in the Senate there will be friend
ship toward the Federal employe.
He also bitterly attacked Com
muniSm, saying:
Russia boasts planting Com.
muniStic seeds in this country.
If today radical principles are
being taught in our schools and
colleges, you and / must rise
and stamp them outlet no
one destroy confidence i'm your
Government, as confidence is
its keynote. doubt If our
sturdy American citizenship can
ever be placed in the Red class
Of human beings"