The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-11-05


biographical sketches, appear In the
First and Early Wall Street editions Of
The Times. Workers and members of
organizations appearing for such must
tho editorial room. Don't fret II the
photo hasn't appeared; 1t will.
Unpaid Federal taxes may not
be deducted from the security
wages" paid Government project
workers, Acting Comptroller Gen
eral Elliott has ruled.
In a decision dated october 81,
the Acting Comptroller has ironed
out a controversy between Works
Progress Administration and the
Bureau of Internal Revenue, in
which the latter unit had told
WPA Administrator Harry Hop
kins that it intended issuing war
rants of restraint" against project
workers who hadn't paid certain
back taxes, deducting same from
their earnings.
Hopkins requested advice from
Elliott, pointing out that while one
law says Uncle Sam shall not pay
compensation to any person in ar
rears to the Government until he
has paid up all sums for which he
may be liable" the security wages
were established by executive or
der to provide q minimum sub
siStence income. He added:
"Any d e u t n therefrOm
would appear to defeat the es-
sential purpose Of the establish
ed security wage income by
reducing the workers earnings
to less than a living wage"
Elliott agreed, saying the usual
law has mo application to the sit
uation presented here"
In another decision the Acting
Comptroller has wiped out leave
privileges for War Department
workers at Langley Field, Va, who
were permanently employed prior
to the economy act but since have
been furloughed and recalled to
duty as many as Is different times
for periods ranging from three
days to 80. He ruled that they
are on a when actually employed
basis now and hence get no leave
privileges. Despite having higher
paid jobs on the outside" the
furlougheeS usually return to their
old jobs when recalled in order to
retain their Civil Service status.
But leave, it seems, is out for the
time being.
Luther C. Steward, president OF
the National Federation Of Federal
Employees, yesterday issued this
statement:
Now that the elections are over, and
the results are known in the COngres-
siOnal as well as in the Presidential con-
tests, it is possible for the N. F. F. E.
to proceed with specific plans for 40.
OOmplishment Of its legislative program.
Our fundamental objective L. the OK.
tension and strengthening Of the merit
system. To this, virtually every candi.
date for national office In the election
now is definitely in order. On the basis
Of that pledge, legislation to be spOn-
SOfed by tho n. +. f. K. In the January
session Of Congress should receive thor
las members of the Seventy fifth Con.
gress arrive in Washington, the national
officers Of tho n. F. F. e. will place
before them the legislative program Of
the bOtterment Of public personnel ad.
miniStr0tiOn within the Federal service.
"As stated. the merit system issue
without question takes precedence in i'm.
basic nature. other vital detectives,
however. include extension Of classified
ton to the field services, q minimum
wage Of $1,000 for all adult, full-time
employees; optional retirement after 80
years service; establishment Of q cen
trail personnel agency, civil service court
Of appeals and liberalization of retire
ment:
The attainment of these. will
mean much to the taxpayers Of the
United States in improving the whole
level Of efficiency within the Federal
serVice.''
NumerOIOgy reading for Sen,
ator Edward D. Burke Cd, Of
Nebraska:
You belonE to a class of doors, mot
faIkerS. What you may lack in words
yOu make up in deeds, and you have q
quick, analytical mind. Your oppOrtuni
two extremes: you must DO at one In.
stance the teacher and at the next the
pupil. You have little patience for those
whose minds move less quickly than
fools himself. Those whom you contact
always expect you to do something in a
practical way, and this often irritatet
your inner artistic sensibllities. You
care more for the principle of a thing
than the cost or monetary returns in
vOlved. You would mako . great hu-
manitarian.'
Odds and Ends. "A drive a
year ago against undue emphasis
on college degrees in Civil Serv,
ice test was on. and got no.
where. Yesterday the Unite d
Civil Service Employees office re.
manned closed. President Bah
cock is feeling much more
clipper, however, and plans to be.
come active before the week is
over. Hugh Scott, manager Of
Hines Hospital in Chicago. has
written A. F. G. E. headquarters
that all 500 attendants there wish
to be given Civil Service status, a
condition which the C. S. Com.
could bring about if it wished ..
Veterans Administration attend
ants were removed from merit
status by executive order of
President Hoover in 1881, but
the order was written so that
the Commission can override it
=. Lodge So, A. F. G. E. pro
curement) will celebrate it's birth.
day (thirD tomorrow at the Hay.
loft, 8 p. m. 300 or more Alas.
kan Railway workers are laid off
because of the maritime strike. l..
No action on red" lodges Of the
A. F. G. E. until a conference
at the A. F. of L. convention
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