Evening star., 1937-05-14
EMERGENCY GROUP
TOPUSH CAMPAIGN
Will Seek Support in Con-
gress for Civil Service
Status.

Emergency employees of the Govern
ment today were confronted with the
task Of lining up support in Congress
for their campaign to obtain civil
service status through non-competitive
examination.
Active efforts in this direction were
advocated last night at a meeting OF
the newly-formed Association of Nom
Classified Federal Employees by three
members of the House, who pledged
their support in the move.
Addressing an audience Of approx
mately $50 persons at the Willard,
Representative Ramspeck, Democrat
of Georgia, chairman of the House
Civil Service Committee, asserted that
some missionary work" was required
II anything is to be accomplished, and
his views were echoed by Representa-
tves Sheppard of California and Caro-
line ODay Of New York, both Demo-
Gratis.
Ramspeck, author of a pending bill
to extend civil service to the emer-
gency groups, said that his opinion
is that a great many members of Con-
gress are not in favor of your having
civil service under any circumstances"
Points to House Action.
In support of this contention, he
pointed to the action of the House in
defeating proposal earlier in the
week to put the administrative force
of the Civilian Conservation Corps
under civil service.
Ramspeck would not attempt to pre-
dict when his committee would report
out the civil service extension bill on
which a tentative decision has been
reached to require competitive exami-
nations. Formerly in favor of the
competitive tests himself, Ramspeck
explained that while he still believes
In the principle, he has swung to the
view Of the President and Civil Service
Commission that such a program
would be impractical
He also outlined the proposal on
which the committee has tentatively
agreed-that the apportionment law
be invoked in bringing in the emer-
gency workers-and repeated that
this would drop about 10000 workers
from the District, Maryland and Vir-
glnia, who would not even be allowed
IN the tests, because those three places
have exceeded their quotas of employ
ment in the existing apportioned serv-
ice
Representative Sheppard complained
at the number of positions held by
District, Maryland and Virginia resi-
dents and said there is no occasion
Tor that situation to exist
Only Just, Mrs. O,Day Says.
Mrs. ODay said she cannot see
how any one can fail to see the justice
OF non-competitive examinations. )"
She also touched on the current econ
omy wave, while conceding the neces-
sity for retrenchment. vigorously OBJ
tected to cutting the salaries of "low-
bracketed employees"
Arthur Clarendon Smith, who Is
active in District Democratic circles.
and representatives of State Demo-
cratic clubs, also spoke. Smith, chair
man OF the board of directors of the
association, which was formed to ad-
vance the interests of the emergency
workers, said their program was of
concern to all business interests here,
A plea for increased membership was
made by Thomas Calhoun Ramsey, the
president.
In the meanwhile ARRANGEMENTS
were being made for conference to-
day between employees and officials Of
the General Accounting Office, where
approximately 800 emergency workers
are to be dropped, the ma jority around
June 80.
G. A. o. Program Set Forth.
The General Accounting Office
Lodge Of the American Federation of
Government Employees is recommend
ing the following program:
l. Where lay-offs are necessitated,
those affected should get at least two
weeks notice, plus accrued leave.
2. Efficiency ratings together with
seniority to be taken into consideration
In laying off personnel
3. That furloughs be used rather
than outright dismissals, and in the
event of rehiring, those dropped be
taken back before any new personnel
is employed.
The lodge will meet at the Hamilton
Monday night.