Evening star., 1936-09-06

A "sweatshop" with condition
ing apparatus, scientifically designed
lighting system, refrigerated water
fountains and other modern equip
ment for employees comfort-such is
the confused picture Of the G-men's
headquarters created by charges Of
the insurgent Justice Lodge. No. 81,
American Federation of Government
Employees.
The lodge, outlawed by the fedora
ton because of unauthorized" cam
paigning against the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, has charged that Di-
rector j. Edgar Hoover Is a heart
less executive, who forces his en-
ployes to work overtime under sweat
shop conditions.
Hoover has refused to reply for
mally to the charges, because he re-
CARDS the lodge as an outlaw" or
ganization, not representative Of F.
B. I. employees. but, it was learned
yesterday, he is ready to defend his
administration of the F. B. I. before
any responsible" labor or other body.
Few F. B. 1. Employees in Union.
Less than 20 Of the 1,700 employees
of the bureau are members of the
lodge, an inquiry has disclosed.
The so-called "sweatshop" is the
enth floor of the new Department Of
Justice Building. This division, COM
pletely air-conditioned and equipped
with the latest natural and artificial
lighting devices, is visited daily by
hundreds of sightseers. Officials say
many of these visitors have comment
ed favorably on the modern conven-
fences, featuring the noted identifi-
cation clearing house.
The semi-indirect lighting system
is the result of special studies and
recommendations made by experts Of
the Bureau of Standards, whose serv-
ices were enlisted by Hoover after it
was found the original lighting ar
rangement in the division was caus-
ing eye strain.
For a number Of years Hoover has
sent a letter twice each year to all
F. B. I. employees, inviting suggestions
or criticisms regarding work of the
bureau. A committee Of nine super
visors is engaged at the present time
in weighing suggestions sent in July !
by more than 600 employees.
Employees Suggestions Followed.
Most Of the policies and methods
of the bureau have been developed
over long period Of years as a re-
suit of the constructive suggestions
made by the employees themselves"
an official declared yesterday.
None of the eight employees making
charges since their custer ever re.
sponded to Hoover's semi-annual in
vitation for suggestions, officials assert.
Hoover is prepared to answer all
the charges, if called upon by ac-
credited individuals or organizations.
He has made no secret of the fact
that F. B. I. employees work over
time. On the contrary, he has ad-
vertised it repeatedly before Budget
and Appropriation Committees in an
effort to eliminate this condition.
His most recent denunciation of the
overtime evil was during the hearings
on the 1887 Justice appropriation
bill.
Admits, but Deplores Overtime.
II have a record Of the overtime
work." he told the House Subcommit-
tee on Appropriations, land in that
connection I might say that while I
am proud 1t has been performed. at
the same time I do not think it is q
good practice to have such overtime
work over long period Of years"
In 1885, he told the committee, the
F. B. I. clerical forces in Washing
ton performed 56,050 hours Of over
time work-an increase of 188 per
cent.
Nov, that has not been a COM
pulsory matter-it has been volun-
tary," Hoover testified. 1T was also
absolutely necessary. That statement
does not include the executive staff of
the bureau. The officials are on duty
for very long hours. think it is
safe to say you could come down
there almost any night, at 10 or IL
o'clock, and find many of the off,
cials and employees working. The same
thing applies to Saturday afternoons.
My associates and myself have not
had Saturday afternoon OF since
the law went into effect.
However, think 1t Is bad ad-
ministration over long period of
time to require so much overtime
work, because the employees become
extremely weary from remaining on