The Washington times., 1937-01-01


organizations should contact the writer
in the editorial room before 5:l5 p. M,
or phone DI. 1000. branch 2lO'
Tendency on the part Of the
Government service to maintain
its strength within the District OF
Columbia should give rise to op-
timiSm on the part Of washing
ton business for continued pros
porous trade from departmental
workers during the year beginning
today.
With the exception Of the war
year Of 1918, Government person
mel reached its highest mark dur
ing 1896, numbering more than
117,000 during the month OF June,
according to official figures Kept
painstakingly by the Civil Service
Commission.
Following that high-water mark
there was a sudden slump, caused
by disintegration Of much Of the
Agricultural Adjustment Admin
istration's obesity and cessation OF
some relief administrative work
ers. This halted, however, and
since August the D. C. personnel
has gained steadily.
Latest available statistics showed
a strength of 114,792, as OF No
vember, caused greatly by the
long long awaited start OF the So
cial Security Board program. And
washington figures have undoubt
edly increased during December.
There have also been strong lndl-
cations that any forthcoming re
organization on Capitol Hill will
not seriously decrease the number
of workers needed in this city.
The current drive for increased
pay for Federal workers makes
this quotation from Merit, pub
lished by the United Civil Service
Employees, seem quite timely:
In . large division of one Of
the OIdline establishments,
which is not named here for its
own protection, the division
chief received an ALLEGATION Of
slightly more than $4,000 for
promotions to be effective jan
uary /. Since the division had
slightly more than 200 employees
the problem presented Difficult
ties, particularly in view of the
fact that more than 100 Of the
employees had not had an in
crease during the last five years.
However, after figuring the
cost of increases for himself,
his two division assistants,
three of the better section
chiefs, and two experts he dis
covered that there wasn't any
thing left, and appealed for
more funds. They were not
forthcoming, and it was ex-
planned to the employees that his
request for funds to promote
them was refused"
In this case, however, 1t might
be pertinent to mention that even
the petty officers which the chief
gave salary raises we're at the
time below the average for their
grade.
Eleanor Nelson and Helen
Schneider. president and secretary
Of No. II Lodge of the A. F. G. E.,
at the Department Of Labor, pre-
sented a letter recently at the
White House asking Civil Service
status for the forgotten men and
women" of the Labor Departments
employment service.
It said. in part:
"The u. S. Employment Serv"
ice Is recognized as a perma-
nent governmental agency, and
as such should enjoy the bene-
fits Of the Civil Service system.
It is charged with the RESPONSE
bility for promoting and cOOr-
dinating . nationwide system
Of public employment offices
where employers may secure
qualified workers and where
workers may secure suitable en-
plOyment
'Tt Is evident that the per
sOnnel responsible for this essen
fial and specialized public Serv'
ice should be selected and hold
office under the SOundeSt pos
sfble method Of personnel ad.
mlinistratiOn. The U. S. Employ.
ment Service has recognized the
Importance of the Civil Service
system by requiring that the per-
sonnel of all affiliated State en-
plOyment services be selected
and hold office on a merit
basis"
The Indian Service, a submit
OF the Interior Department, has
tnaugurated the practice of bring
ing groups of chief clerks and
personnel officers of its field
service to washington for con-
ferenceS.
The idea is to bring about a
better understanding Of person
mel problems by all concerned,
and to permit such 'key en-
ployeS" to see what so many
field workers in all departments
term ''the Washington office" in
actual action.
One group met in December
and similar conferences are to
follow each month until all field
area chiefs have come to Wash
ington. In a manner, the plan
follows that of the Civil Service
Assembly. which annually at
tracts Government chiefs of the
United States and Canada to a
central point for mutual discus