The Washington times., 1936-12-31

Government workers well known to their
colleagues are published in The Times
daily. Federalites and members of Gov
ernment organizations interested In such
photos should contact the writer in the
editorial room by 5:l5 p. m.' or should
phone DI. 1000, branch 2lO.
AS present opinion rapidly
mounts toward full sympathy with
establishment Of a complete career
system in the Government service,
Director William L. Austin Of the
Census Bureau provides an excel
lent example of the successful
career men SO scarce in Wash
ington. :,
Austin began his career back in
1900, entering the Census as an
ordinary clerk, and now has 36
years of continuous service behind
him. He scouts rumors Of his
resignation in the near future, say
ing he has no such idea," and
says he hopes for many more
years of activity.
He is quite proud Of the fact
that he has been through all of
the grades" which include chief
clerk, statistician, chief statisti-
clan and assistant director before
taking over his present post.
Incidentally, he succeeded an
other career man, William A. Stu
art. who became Census Director
after beginning at the bottom.
Today, the last of the year, saw
the Census officially fire 400 tenn
porary employees who have been
working in Washington on work
for the agriculture and manufac-
lures divisions of the Census Of
American Business. The employees
received their notices, however, in
November, when it was found
work was drawing to a close and
funds were running low. Other
blocs will probably receive notices
from time to time.
The proposed census Of unem-
ployed persons has been left to
Congress, while the proposal that
the regular population census be
s. taken in 1887 continues to draw
opposition officially.
Up to 4:3O p. m. today Govern
ment workers interested in an all
expense trip to New York over the
New Year period were requested
to call Mrs. Roby w. Stehr, DI.
$3.50, branch 523, for complete de-
tails Of an interesting excursion
sponsored by the Agriculture Rec
reation Association.
Some political appointees work
ing under emergency appoint
ments have gained the impression
that as indefinite" employees they
are entitled to Civil Service status
by virtue of having been employed
more than six months.
While this might be construed
as the fairest thing by many folk,
it is not true under present law.
Those gaining a status by indefi-
mite appointments have been
drawn from eligible rolls estab-
lished by the Civil Service Com.
mission via examinations.
The battle between conservatives
and liberals within the A. F. G. E.
District of Columbia Department
was carried to President Stengle
recently by delegation from La
Dor Lodge No. IL, headed by Flea
nor Nelson, and seeking to have
set aside the recent rule which
barred Lucien Koch from imme-
diate seating as a lodge delegate.
- Stengle told the delegation that
the action on Koch was matter
for the D. C. Department only,
and that unless the A. F. G. E.
national constitution was dis
obeyed he could do nothing. Koch
is a former official of Common
wealth College in Arkansaw, the
institution subjected to a State
investigation because Of alleged
radical teachings. The D. C. De
partment, incidentally, will hence
forth salute the American flag and
pledge the Oath of Allegiance in
future meetings.
From the National Federation of
Federal Employees:
Whereas. the daily press Of Wash.
1ngtOn, d. c.. has been active in sup
porting all measures designed to improve
working conditions in the Federal serv.
ice, and
'Whereas, The Washington Times, |
The Washington Post, The Evening Star
O. and the Washington Herald have CO.
operated most cOnstructively in the
furtherance of the program Of the Ma
tiOnal Federation Of Federal Employees, |
now therefore be 1t
Resolved, that tho executive council
Of the National Federation of Federal
Employees expresses its thanks and ap-
probation to these newspapers"
Government bureaus and units
have Joined Federal organizations
in assuring thorough celebration
Of National Civil Service Week,
which will begin January IL.