The Washington times., 1936-11-26

Times daily, members of organizations
and others must contact the writer In
ths editorial room by S:1S p. m.
Washington's vast force of Gov
ernment clerks today celebrated
Thanksgiving more thoroughly
than has been possible for several
years past.
Several reasons contributed to
the more bountiful celebration, the
outstanding factors being the
death-except for one item-of re-
strictive provisions of the economy
act during '36. passage of numer-
Gus pieces of beneficial legislation
during the Seventy-fourth. Con.
gress, and an outlook for the fu-
ture which most observers believe
more bright than somber.
Another factor bringing thank
fulness today is that the election
is over, relieving tension that
had pervaded every office in the
city. With that worriSome event
out of the way, clerks are ready
for an era of serious work ana
achievement unhampered by the
wild rumors and whispering cam
paigns that played havoc with
morale during September and Oc-
tober.
The white meat of the turkey
Cbought after 4:30 yesterday in
absence Of any half-holiday mani
festo) probably should be ded1-
Gated to the passage of the leave
legislation. Congress grant Of 26'
day annual leave was a gift
greatly appreciated by personnel,
but the real meat of the benefit
was the cumulative provisions for
sick leave, with the 30-day emer-
gency clause, a gain which already
has proven helpful in many cases
but will prove its worth even more
strongly in years to come: -
Five-day, 40-hour schedules are
another benefit greatly appreci-
ated among mechanical workers
at Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing and Government Printing OF
flee, while Thanksgiving in numer-
Gus offices has been occasioned by
the granting of few administra-
tive raiSes-a matter obsolete as
the dodo bird since the economy
act was perpetrated.
The future, also, would seem to
occasion blessings. Under an eX-
plicit prediction promise, the Ad-
nainiStration is committed to plac-
ing new agencies that are to re-
main under civil service, and be-
fore next June thousands Of emer-
gency folk are expected to receive
benefit of a virtual blanket,
marked only by certification from
their office head, so days of work
ing experience and noncompeti-
tive test. This test, it is indicated,
will not be any too difficult, else
the Civil Service Commission
would find itself severely criti-
cized in numerous quarters.
In addition to the merit drive,
at least two major employe groups
will spur Congress toward addi-
tional benefits for workers, and it
is expected the major achievement
will be a thorough liberalization
Of present retirement regulations,
details of which only the future
will disclose. Section 213, the
marriage clause" has also been
promised treatment by House Civil
Service Chairman Robert Rams
peck, it being the sole economy act
provision still effective.
The forthcoming reorganization
may provide fly for the cram
berry sauce Of some who are in.
clined to worry over the unknown,
but many officials with years of
experience Of observing such move
ments have expressed a disbelief
that any drastic and injurious cur.
tatlment will be evolved.
Some clerks enjoy the horses
from the standpoint of 'phoning
the bookie each day around lunch
hour, but over at Interior they &C
0u641y LAhc 10 TlQ6 CHI.
Interior and PWA folk have or
ganized saddle club, they reveal,
headed by Allan w. Miller and
Fred Moran, who are the riding
masters" with Ralph w. Hale
acting as secretary.
About so members now compose
the club, which is also open to
what they term outsiders in
other departments" and they go
for ride on at least one moon
light night during the week as
well as a jaunt Saturday after.
noon and twice on Sundays. They
usually saddle up at Four Corners,
Md.
New York State Society is gain
ing members at a rapid pace,
Membership Chairman. Maurice
Sands, Of I. c. c., reported yester-
day.
Among new members to enroll
are Postmaster General. James A.
Farley, President Charles I.
Stengle, of the A. F. G. E., and
Ralph Werner, business executive
for the United Civil Service EN-
ployeS.
To spur more folk to join, the
society has announced it will give
a dance December IL, at the
Shoreham, 10 to l.. and that new
members who ioin before that