Evening star., 1936-09-14
Era of Economy Forecast
Regardless of November
Outcome.
FOR JUST CHANGES
TO Benefit EMPLOYEES
Georgia Representative Tells
Opening Session at Detroit Of
Heavy Expenses.
BY ]. A. FOX,
Stan Correspondent of The Star.

DETROIT, september ia warm
ing to workers against seeking any
benefits that would cause an addi-
tional drain on the Federal Treasury
was sounded today by Representative
Ramspeck. Democrat, of Georgia, ad-
dressing the opening session Of the
Fifth Annual Convention of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Government En-
ployes.
Ramspeck, who is chairman of the
House Civil Service Committee, fore
cast an era of economy and said with
emphasis:
Regardless of what party wins in
November, Federal employees must be
on guard to hold what they've got
rather than add to the expenses of the
Government.
Ramspeck said he believed the time
had come to reduce Federal personnel,
but wants changes made justly and
wisely, and not just for the sake of
saving a few dollars"
His statement was made in a dis
eussion of proposals that have been
advanced to liberalize the retirement
act. He said the employees themselves
would have to increase their contribu-
ton If this is to be done.
Ramspeck said the cheapest pro-
posal for lowering the retirement age
limit would cost $l0,000,000 more
yearly, and that others ranged as high
as s50.000.000.
The speaker also told the conven-
tion he would like to see the marital
status law repealed, and that in the
next Congress he proposed to work for
extension of classification to the field.
With Michigan facing bitter pri-
mary tomorrow, vein of politics was
injected into Ramspeck's speech when
he took up a defense of the patronage
charges hurled at the Roosevelt ad-
ministration.
Saying he had no patience" with
such critics as Senator Vandenberg,
Republican. of Michigan, whom he
accused of giving Zip service" to civil
service, he also accused Representa-
tive Wolcott Of Michigan Of blocking
"a move to put the postmaster civil
service bill on the House consent
calendar.
Ramspeck also took cognizance Of
the internal troubles facing the fed
Grafton, which Is to elect president.
and urged that Intelligent leader
ship be chosen.
You must have the type of leader
who can hold the confidence Of Con-
gress and the respect Of the public"
he said.
He warned also that Federal en-
ployes cannot adopt the same tactics
as those in industry to improve eco
nomic conditions.
The people of the United States
are your employers. and you cannot
afford to antagonize them," he said.
As soon as Ramspeck concluded the
convention got to work. AS had been
anticipated, in view of the internal
. troubles besetting the organization,
George Googe, personal representative
of President william Green Of the
American Federation of Labor, was
designated to preside.
After the morning session the con-
vention recessed until O'Clock to-
. night.
IIlc llStlI lOI PACoAOCASy, tkiC
principal fight is being waged
by Charles l. Stengle, former Repre-
sentative from Brooklyn, and John r.
w. Smith, president of War Depart
ment Lodge of New York A delega-
ton from Cincinnati, however, was
urging the candidacy of James A.
Campbell, vice president from the
oft uyh
into the race was James B. Burns,
vice president. from San Francisco,
although he said he would have to be
drafted" Still another name figur-
ing is that of DR.. Thomas Larkin of
Elreno, Okla. The post pays $4,000
year.
Judging from the attendance at
caucuses yesterday and last night as
the bulk of the delegates arrived,
Stengle, now attached to the national
office of the federation, has the sup
port of the conservative" majority
of the District Department, as we'll as
some strength in the field. He is
claiming victory.
Smith is making his appeal to the
field lodges and the liberal" element
Of the District, and undoubtedly will
have some backing from both. The
others appear to have little chance.
At tonight's session, it Is proposed
TO submit to the delegates the resigna-
ton of E. Claude Babcock, who went
on leave from the presidency several
weeks ago when his recall was de-
manded by the Executive Council be-
cause of what was termed a political
attack on the Roosevelt administra-
tion. Then the balloting to fill the
ONCE would be in order, under this
program.
Babcock, however, has declared his
! intention of addressing the convention
on the recall issue, and If he chose to
do this when the resignation was taken
up. the fireworks expected inevitably
to accompany this move probably
would halt the convention machinery.
As the convention got under way, it
. was understood the Executive Council
was prepared to announce once more
the suspension Of Justice Department
Lodge. No. 81, which has been doing
battle with j. Edgar Hoover, director
Of the Bureau of Investigation, for
ousting eight Of its members from the
bureau.
The council has had thiscas under
consideration since Friday when II re-
voked the original suspension voted
against the lodge on charges Of pick
eting and other acts in contravention
of federation policies and gave repre-
sentatives an opportunity to defend
their course at q lengthy hearing.
The council got rid OF another prob
lem over the week end, 1t was report
ed. by coming to an agreement on
3 program for bringing the American
Al q