The Washington times., 1936-07-27
LODGE CUSTER
ASSURESH0
MEETING
Bv ]. EARLE MOSER

Recent suspensions of the JUS
tice Department lodge of the
American Federation Of Govern
ment Employees appears to have
made certain one of the most
hectic periods in the organiza-
tons history when it conducts its
annual convention September IA
in Detroit.
Two vital issues were already
facing the meeting in the question
of whether President E. Claude
Babcock'S resignation would be
accepted and whether the pre-
viouSly suspended Panama Canal
lodge would receive reinstatement.
The custer of the Justice unit.
however, will present third bone
of contention and the current
schedule of three days for the
convention may prove inadequate
for the riotouS battle Of words ex-
pected, a battle which may well
be augmented by physical deeds
if the delegates become Suffi-
GENTLY excited and heated.
To date the Babcock issue re-
mains dubious as to outcome. Al
though it has been limited recall
proceedings are being pressed sec.
reilly for sudden presentation as
the convention begins, the rumor
cannot be verified. It is believed
the matter will be put to a vote
and while the attitude of field
lodges toward Mr.. Babcock is I'M
known it is fairly certain that
most of the District of Columbia
delegates will move to accept his
resignation.
Action on the suspended lodges
will be principally battle between
conservative, old-line majority fac
tons of the organization and the
idealistic members, ranging from
pale pink liberals to vivid red radi-
Gals, who came to the Government
service via New Deal non-ctvil
service appointments from the
soap box and socialiStic college re-
gions Of New York and Boston.
Almost nonexistent in the Govern
ment service before the New Deal,
such workers now infiltrate many
departments and emergency agen-
cieS.
The Panama Canal lodge, sus-
pended because it allowed deroga-
tory publicity about its feeling in
regard to President Babcock to
reach the press, may be allowed
back in the fold inasmuch as the
executive council Of the federation
is now down on him and masmuch
as the AAA, Internal Revenue and
other lodges released similar
Handouts" when he was placed on
the grill for knocking the New
Deal under auspices OF the Re
publican National Committee.
The Justice group, however. IS
likely to receive short Shrift In
its plea for readmiSsion, as 1t has
been charged with picketing and
embarrassing" the Government
service, method of procedure ad-
vocated only by New Deal union
idealists and frowned upon very,
very much by old-line bureaucrats.
Women Approve
President RooSevelt'S executive
order placing first, second and
third class postmaster under civil
service Jurisdiction today received
approval of the National League OF
Women Voters, which announced:
"Members of the League OF
Women Voters throughout the
country who have been cOncen.
trating their efforts for the past
two years on improvement and
extension of the merit system in
Government are greatly en-
cOuraged by the Presidents ex-
ecutive order affecting the ap-
pOintment of pOstmasters Of the
first, second and third class.
"The President, in this order,
has gone as far as his power per-
mits in removing pOStmaSterS
from the patronage lists. His &C.
ton, together with the declared
policy of Governor LandOn to
take the Post Office Department
out of politics, indicates that
proponents of the merit system
may expect the next Congress to
pass appropriate legislation. The
League Of Women Voters Will
not cease its efforts in this di'
rectiOn until misunderstanding
are made a permanent part OF
the competitive classified civil
Sor1y;co [y IoOiSIative act"