Evening star., 1936-09-16
BY ]. A. FOX,

DETROIT, September 16.-Under
Dew leadership the American Fedora
ton of Government Employees today
prepared to adopt a legislative pro-
gram for the next year, and go home.
Polling l57 votes out of total OF
225, Charles I. Stengle, member of
the federation headquarters staff and
one-time member of Congress from
Brooklyn, late yesterday was elected to
the presidency after the fifth conven-
ton Of the organization had voted to
accept the resignation of E. Claude
Babcock, president for the last three
years.
As his first official act, Stengle, TAX
ing cognizance of the internal trou-
bles that have beset the organization,
pledged his best efforts Ito pro-
mote harmony, peace and happiness
throughout the federation"
THE war is over" he told the del
egation.
Ousted Lodges to Fight.
There was doubt, however, as to
whether the federation is facing en-
tirely smooth sailing, as representa-
tives Of five Of the so-called radical
lodges of Washington that were read
out OF the organization yesterday, are
Threatening to carry their cases to the
American Federation of Labor. This
group included Farm Credit, Secur-
tiles Exchange, Railroad Retirement,
Social Securities and Public Assistance
Division of the District. With them
went 28 Public Works groups from
Florida and one from Boston, and their
ranks were likely to be swelled today,
with Justice 81 being scheduled to
walk the plank
Unquestionably, however, there will
be more of an effort at harmony, as it
was understood that the high COM
mand of the American Federation of
Labor Is wearied with the wrangling
that has marked the progress of Fed
eral employe groups.
George Googe, representative in the
South for the A. F. of L., who has
been here since the start Of the con-
vention in an effort to reconcile con-
flicting elements. said pointedly yes
terday, while presiding over the gath
ering, that the parent body wanted
peace. And it was Googe-saying the
move would do no good-who blocked
efforts to make public the minutes of
the June executive meeting at which
Babcock went on leave after the Exec
utive Council had voted to recall him
for an attack on the Roosevelt admin
istration that was distributed by the
Republican National Committee. Googe
is also understood to have moved ac-
lively to curb the nd-the-scenes
maneuvering for the presidency.
Legislative Report Awaited.
OF particular interest at today's
4inal session was the impending re-
port Of the Legislative Committee rec
ommending 2 program for the next
Congress. In view of the warning
sounded Monday by Chairman Rams
peck, Democrat, of Georgia, of the
House Civil Service Committee. against
seeking new benefits that would con-
stitute drain on the Treasury, OBJ
servers wondered how far the fedora
tion would go toward urging the am
bilious platform, including $500
minimum pay scale, that already Is
under consideration.
In speech several times interrupt
ed by applause, Babcock took the floor
late yesterday when his resignation
was submitted, and denied fatty there
was any political motive behind his
attack on the Democratic "spoils"
policy.
He bitterly criticized the Executive
Council, particularly the four WASH
1ngton members-Cecil E. Custer,
treasurer, and Vice Presidents Michael
D. Schaefer. Ira Y. Balm and G. Car
roll Dimond-who were leaders in the
recall movement. Babcock said his
resignation, which has been pending
since June, was forced and denied
fatty the reputed statement of the
council that he had asked the sup
preston of the minutes of the June
session. He urged that the resigna-
ton be accepted.
Annuity Motion Defeated.
David R. Glass, charter president,
moved that the federation put Bab-
cock on an annuity that would equal
the amount he would get If leaving q
Government job for disability-some-
thing under $50 monthly-but the
motion was defeated.
As forecast, the race for the presi-
dency was between Stengle and John
r. w. Smith Of New York. president
of the War Department lodge there.
Smith polled only 81 votes. Babcock.
Ruloff Stratton of the Civil Service
Commission, Washington, and John
Z. Duschange Of Detroit had q scat
tering of support. James, vice presi-
dent from Cincinnati, Withdrew. STEM
gle will serve the year remaining Of
Babcock's term.
The annual banquet was held last
night.