The Washington times., 1936-04-10
HOURS
.'7C
80
cut DUBIOUS
FOR CLERKS
BY J. EARLE MOSER

Gently in the House to provide q
five-day week for the majority Of
Government clerks seems likely to
enjoy comparatively friendly
treatment when it comes up for
consideration, the opinion Of
close followers Of the cause Of Fed
eEal personnel is that any move
for shorter hours at this time will
see little progress.
In support Of the optimistic out
look on the Mccormack five-day
document, it is pointed out that
employees Of the Post Office and
. mechanics and skilled trades
workers in other establishments
already receive benefits of the
shorter week by virtue Of the
Thomas amendment and varied
confessions previous to it. House
Civil Service Chairman Ramspeck
has okayed the project and objec-
tions by department heads are
not expected to take serious form.
Whether the bill will receive &C
ton this congressional session re-
mains a conjecture, because Of its
late Introductory date.
However, short shift awaits any
demand for lessened hours at this
time, it is believed, for a number
of~reaSons. One is the ever-preSent
economy" drive proponents, who
believe the Government service is
twice too large and costs too much
already. Another IS that full leave
was granted too recently, weaken
ing support of any additional en-
ploye drive at this time. A third,
and a strong one, is that Fedora.
bureaus have so much work and
overtime at present that legiSla-
ton to "Study" the latter was
n tackled on the leave acts.
Nevertheless, employee leaders
are expected to ask for shorter
hours at the proper time. mo
harm in asking" is their senti-
ment.
Approval
E. Claude Babcock, president
of sthe American Federation Of
Government Employees, issued the
following statement regarding the
Mccormack measure yesterday:
"The Mccormack bill to ex-
tend the five-day week gen
orally throughout the Govern
ment service represents . for
ward step, and we are in
hearty accord with the prin-
ciple Of the measure. We feel
that the five-day week is sound
from every point Of view, and
we believe that its general in
PRODUCTION in the Government
service will benefit working
men and women everywhere
lit is demanded by humani-
tarianism, sound economic doc
trine and justice, and it Is
sure to come. The sooner it
comes the better"
Mr.. Babcock will probably dis
cuSs the proposed law at the
Hamilton Hotel tonight, where
the :District Department Of the
A. +. G. E. Is scheduled for its
first April meeting.
Aggie Legion Dance
Commander Joseph L. Koehl Of
the agriculture Department Post
No. SO of the American Legion to-
day announced that the post,
formed in 1885, will hold it's first
annual ball at the Washington
Hotel next Wednesday. Music will
be by Johnny Slaughter'S OrcheS-
ira, it's mine to one" affair and
Art Godfrey. the comic radio an
nouncer, has promised to attend
along with other entertainers from
local theaterS.
Good Friday Songs
Under direction of Robert Fred.
erfck Freund, the Agriculture De-
partment chorus was to present a
Good Friday song program at S
p. m. today in the auditorium of
the Labor-Interstate Building.
"The Seven Last Words" was to
head the program and an address
by the Rev. Joseph r. Sizoo, New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church
pastor, was expected.
Bacon Brought Home
Local No. 2 of the National Fed.
Grafton of Federal Employees will
bring home Bacon tonight, at least
it will bring Harlow Bacon Of the
Commerce Department to its pres
ide1tial chair and seat him there
in, saS he is the newly elected
"prexy." Along with Mr.. Bacon
will: be installed DR.. Howard A.
Edspn, Agriculture, as vice preSi.
dent, Henry G. Media of Veterans
Administration in his perennial
post as secretary-treaSurer, and AL.
bert M. Reising, Interior, as re-
cording secretary. Incidentally,
Local No. and other N. F. F. E.
units are still congratulating Lu.
Their C. Steward and Gertrude Nc.
Nal1V for their outstanding part in
bringing home the leave bill
bacon"
Odds and Ends
AAA isn't the solt place where
the horses are followed closely. +.