Evening star., 1935-09-02
FEDERATION HEAD
CONDEMNS ABUSE
OF CIVIL SERVICE
Luther c. Steward Defends
Merit System as Convention
Opens in Yellowstone.
POLITICAL MANIPULATION
OF PERSONNEL SCORED
Declares Public Is Awakening to
Evils of Spoils System-As-
sails Rival Organization.
BY J. A. FOX,

BY J. A. FOX,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL
PARK, Wyo, September 2-Sounding
the keynote of the thirteenth con-
vention of the National Federation of
Federal Employees, Luther C. Steward,
president, in his report at the opening
session today, condemned abuses of
civil service in Government the past
two years have witnessed and pledged
the organization to seek corrective
measures.
approximately 200 delegates were
on hand as the convention started
in Old Faithful Inn, and the visitors
expected to participate included Sen
ator Wagner, Democrat, Of New York;
Senator Carey, Republican, of Wyom-
ing and Arno B. Cammerer, director
of the National Park Service, who
arrived last night on trip through
the West.
Defends Merit System.
ASsailing 1.-The increasing number
Of virulent attacks on the merit sys-
TEN by rapacious spoilsmen," Steward
told the delegates that mot within
the memory of any one now living has
the merit structure in the Federal
service been so beset by attacks, open
and covert"
The newly created agencies, in so
far as personnel matters are con-
cernec," he said, "have for the main
part been whirlpools where every form
Of political and personal influence
has dominated and qualification has
been an incidental consideration. BY
congressional enactment and execu-
tive order, positions by the thousand
have been placed in political cate
CORY. Political influence in perma-
nent establishments has not only been
permitted, but in numerous instances
has been a requisite.
I'VE shall continue with unremit-
ting vigor our fight to eliminate from
the Federal service the present men
actng evils Of incompetent administra-
tiU and Of political manipulation Of
personnel matters, until the Federal
service is put upon career basis and
the citizens and taxpayers of the
United States are able for the first
time to secure adequate return for the
expenditure of Federal funds for per-
sonal service"
Public Is Awakening.
He added that the public Is recog-
MIXING the dangers Of the Spoils sys-
tenn and no longer is apathetic.
Along with Stewards address, the
resolutions going before the conven-
ton were made public. and the
number dealing with the merit system
issue demonstrated the Importance
with which this is viewed by Federal
workers all over the country.
President Steward also unleashed
another attack on the rival American
Federation of Government Employees,
although he did not mention it by
name.
The omnibus bill for reforms in
Government employment, sponsored
by the latter organization and intro
duced by Representative Sirovich,
Democrat, Of New York, 'unquestion-
ably delayed consideration Of Federal
employe legislation" he said. par
ticularly as to the proposals for per-
mitting the retirement of an employe
at a much earlier age than present
law permits, and for the extension Of
an annuity to a second life-com-
monty referred to as a widows
annuity"
Subsidized Racket"
Steward asserted that the other
group. which he described as 'the sub
sidized racket" of William Green.
president of the American Federation
of Labor, of which it Is an affiliate,
had created an unfavorable impress
sion" of Government workers 'in the
minds Of the general public"
Steward told the convention the
next session Of Congress would see
renewed effort to obtain extension of
the classification act, an issue of i'm
portance to the employees who seek
this pay scale for the field.
1.-The President has been unfavor-
able to classification legislation at the
session just concluded due to the
increased most involved" he said. eve
expect to secure definite and favorable
action at the next session"
The federation also is hopeful Of
having the marital status law modi-
fed greatly, Steward said.
Outlines Accomplishments.
Steward outlined the legislative ac-
complishments Of the past two years.
including termination Of the pay cut
and removal of most other economy
acts inequities. He emphasized, how
ever, that even though the ban Is of
of promotions. increased appropria-
tions will be necessary to do much in
this respect.
The annual report of Miss Gertrude
secretary treasurer, showed
an increase of nearly 1000 active
members in the past two years, bring
ing the total to 44,368. Several thou
sand more are in arrears, she said.
The majority Of the delegates
arrived here early last night, when
the executive council met.
Harry B. Mitchell, president Of the
Civil Service Commission, will speak
tomorrow or Wednesday and the
election of officers also is due the
latter day. All incumbents are
expected to be named without oppo-