The Washington times., 1935-07-11
CIVIL SERVICE
BILL ACTION
: NEAR, HOPE
BY J. EARLE MOSER

prospective actlon Dy congress
on measures that have been re-
ported favorably by the House
Civil Service Committee depends
principally on how long the cur
rent session continues, it was indi-
Gated today at the office of Chair
man Ramspeck.
The Celler bill to amend the
marriage clause" the Ramspeck
measure to classify first, second
and third class postmasters into
Civil Service and the bill to give
retirement benefits to legislative
employees will be pushed hard,
however, according ITO committee
members, and action is expected
on all at least during the session
to begin in January.
Employe organizations which
have worked for the various bene-
fetal measures are pleased to the
point of jubilation. Speaking in
regard to the Celler report, which
E. Cluade Babcock of the AFGE
yesterday commended, Gertrude
M. Mentally, secretary-treasurer of
the NFFE, said:
eve are glad that the com.
mittee has given the House an
opportunity to vote on this
measure. We feel, however,
that. viewing the proposition as
we do from merit system
angle, that there should not be
any amendment to the bill as
introduced by Mr.. Celler. Ac-
COrding to our view, we feel
that qualified peoples marital
status shouldn't enter into it,"
Discussing the bill to provide
charwomen of the Government
pay for Saturdays and holidays,
she added:
1--WE are certainly gratified in
regard to this bill, on which we
have been working a long time.
1t means very little output to
the Government, only about
$4,000 yearly, and gives a hOli.
day to those low paid, hard
working persons who deserve it
perhaps more than anyone else"
Postal groups are particularly
enthusiastic over the Ramspeck
measure for postmaster classified.
ton. John j. Barrett, chairman of
the National Legislative Council of
Federal Employees Organizations
and president of the United Ma
tional Association of Postoffice
Clerks. said:
II feel that this is one of the
greatest steps that has ever
been taken since the inception
of the civil service. For the first
time it affords all poStOffice en-
pioyeS a chance for a real career
in that it provides that they can
take an examination for the
position of postmaster.
ut is not generally known
that the right to compete in an
examination for the position Of
postmaster at first, second and
third class offices was denied to
all civil service postal employees"
Similarly, Gilbert Hyatt. legis-
lative representative of the Ma
tional Federation of PoStoffice
Clerks. an affiliate of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, enthused
today as follows:
"Our group has additionally
been committed to the inclu-
sion Of pOstmasters within the
ranks of Civil Service. We be.
Iieve that the efficiency of the
service would be greatly in.
creased and morale of en-
ployes would be strengthened
by thus creating a career for
them to the highest positions
in the service.
ct is rather peculiar
anomaly that in a kindred
service, that of the Railway
Mail, all avenues of promotion
from the lowest to the highest
are open to career men. If it
Is good for one 1t Is good for
the other"
The Meade provision to give
retirement to So employees of the
Postal Service who we're supposed
to be retired July /. 1882, but
were continued in active service
for a period of less than 80 days
after June 80. 1882, is expected
to go through without opposition
when it's calendar turn arrives.
The So, according to the bill, will
be regarded as having been re-
tired beginning with the day fol-
lowing the date of separation
from the service instead of AL
gust /, 1882,
It means approximately a
months extra retirement pay for
the group.