The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-04-05

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.ashinstOn. ?. G. NSsn~n4U[If
ing power Of the Home Owners Loan
corporation has progressed; however.
have taken occasion to inquire into
operations of the corporation which
is wholly government owned. From all
can learn 1t stands out as the
finest illustration of what politicians
can do in the way of building polit-
ical machines that l have seen In
score of years In the National Capital.
1t will be remembered that upon Gre
alton of the board former Representa-
tive "Seaboard Bill" Stephenson OF
South Carolina was named chairman.
Mr.. Stephenson, being more honest
about politics than many others, an
nounced unequivocally that appoint
ments were going to be made on a po-
litical basis. He created quite furore
and finally found himself sidetracked.
For a time we here in Washington
have heard little about politics in the
home loan system. It has developed,
however, that politics was not dead,
but sleeping.
The loan corporation in carrying out
the idea or policy of decentralization
did some very Pc
Peculiar culiar things, accord
no:n0s2 ing to well anthem
ticated reports. Ac-
tually, am told, some young men with
out previous practical experience or
training were supplied with copies OF
the home loan act, given ticket and
ordered to the hinterland to open des-
ignated regional offices. Shortly there
after out of the thousands of en-
ployees in the home office of the loan
corporation individuals were called
into the office of the directing heads
and we're ordered to go to one or the
other of the newly opened establish
ments. They were told at the same
time that their salaries would he re-
duced. In addition, am reliably in
formed, hundreds of them have suf-
fered further salary reductions since
they have been on their new jobs.
While all of this has been going on,
the corporation set up board Of four
members in the headquarters before
which remaining employees in the
Washington office have been called for
examination. This board was an
nounced as for the purpose of deter
mining which of the employees should
be retained. They wanted to be fair
about 1t and wanted to keep on the
payroll such of the employees as were
unable to get along without the jobs
they were holding. 1t seems, however.
that that board has become an in
quisitorial body absolutely without
precedent in the character of examina-
ton to which it subjects the EMPLOYEES.
The result is that few, If any. of the
employees of the loan corporation en-
terrain any belief that they can stay
on their jobs with any feeling of safety.
For example. one mans experience
is quoted. He was asked whether he
had money in the bank, and he had
none. He was asked whether any of
his people were on the relief rolls.
and they were not. Numerous other
questions. such as the rate he paid
for his board and room and the cost
of his laundry were put to him. He
then was asked If he carried life in
surance, and his answer that he did
apparently was wrong. Although he
was not told directly. the Inference OF
questions put to him was that ne
could live two months If he cashed
in his life insurance policy. At any
rate he was dismissed.
But this Is not all. Included In the
bill which increases the amount OF
funds that may he loaned by the cor
poration is line Of legislation that
will have the effect Of expanding poll
ties in the organization. Written into
that bill are instructions that the cor
poration shall recall to Washington all
of those employees who were dis
patched to new jobs in the regional.
state or district offices. OF course,
no one can say yet authoritatively that
when these workers are recalled they
will he dismissed here That. however,
obviously is the result.
Senator Gore of Oklahoma placed
In the Congressional Record recently
telegram he had
Courage received and his re-
Needed ply to 1t that Illus
trates better than
any recent incident how much cOnr-
age is required by national legisla-
tor to withstand the pressure from
home. The occasion was consideration
in the senate of the public works
bill. The telegram received by the
senator was signed by Joe A. Brown.
the mayor of Hartshorne. OKLA. and G.
b. Lindsay. mayor Of Haileyville. Okla.
It follows:
Several thousand Pittsburgh cOun-
ty unemployed people assembled In
convention demand you support I'resi-
dent Roosevelt's four billion dollar re-
lief measure. If you vote against meas,
ure. sentiment is. you stay out of this