Evening star., 1937-09-05
n. FIFE. AWAITS
ROOSEVELT NOTE

Convention Opening Tomor.
row Expects to Hear Union
Views Expanded.
Prepared to receive message from
President Roosevelt outlining his
views on the rights-and limitation
of Government worker organiza-
tions, the twentieth jubilee conven-
ton Of the National Federation OF
Federal Employees will open tomor-
row morning In Springfield, nj.
Unusual interest is attached to
the letter from the President which
was promised last month when he
conferred at the White House with
Luther c., Steward. president Of the
N. F. F. E.. and Jacob Baker. presi-
dent of the United Federal Workers,
af1lliate of the Committee for In
dustrial Organization.
The letter is expected to be an
amplification of a press conference
statement by Mr.. Roosevelt in which
he emphasized that Government en-
ployes have the right to join unions,
but are barred from collective bar
gaining. as this is generally under
stood. and also are forbidden to
strike.
A record attendance is forecast
for the convention. which meets at
the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and prob
ably will run through Thursday. On-
GERS and delegates have been travel
ing to Springfield for several days,
the final group-comprising represen-
tatives from locals In Washington,
Baltimore and other Eastern cities
leaving here yesterday afternoon over
the Baltimore IL Ohio Railroad In
special cars.
Merit System 10 Come Up.
As the federation sits down to map
the legislative program for Federal
employees to be urged on the next
session Of Congress. principal atten-
ton will be centered on extension
and Strengthening the civil service
system. At the convention in yell
lowstone National Park two years
ago, the federation voted a merit
system defense fund" that has been
used in a campaign OF education.
The number and tenor of resolu-
tions on this subject indicate that
the organization is determined to
carry on this fight until the battle
against the spoilsmen is won" it
was said In statement last night.
Liberalized retirement will be
another question discussed extern
sively. with particular reference to the
pending Ramspeck Bill, backed by the
Civil Service Commission, which pro-
vides optional retirement at new age
levels to be exercised either by Gov
ernment or employee increases the en-
ploye contribution to the retirement
fund from 3l2 to S per cent, and sets
up joint annuities for the annuitant
and survivor. Employees generally
have opposed the Government option
feature.
Employment betterments due for
Endorsement are minimum salary OF
$500 for all full-time adult workers
and corresponding increases where
greater degrees Of skill and experience
are necessary, shorter work week,
pay for overtime and night work,
stated promotion intervals, improved
efficiency ratings and establishment
of q central personnel agency and
civil service court Of appeals.
Recalls Benefits Achieved.
In connection with the goth an
niversary. President Steward, who has
headed the federation almost since
its inception. recalled the circum-
stances under which it was brought
into existence and the benefits that
have flown from organization.
When the National Fedora ton Of
Federal Employees was organized 20
years ago it was freely predicted that
We would fail not only to accomplish
our legislative objectives but even to
maintain an organization" he said.
There was much antagonism to the
idea of an organization for Federal
employees within as well as without
the service.
But conditions made an Organiza-
ton imperative. There had been
virtually no changes in wages. work
ing conditions or opportunities for
advancement for more than so years.
With the declaration Of war in 1917,
the situation became critical; suffer-
ing among underpaid Government
workers was acute.
In September Of that year, in
Washington, We formed our organiza-
ton The prophets of doom were
many, and the little band of men and
women who persisted in the face Of
doubt, fearsome questionings' and
countless substantial obstacles Of one
sore or another are, it seems to me,
deserving of the highest COM
mendation.
Outlawed Strikes.
I'VE formed our organization,
adopted q trail-blazing constitution
which forbade strikes against the
Government and formulated what
seemed to be an ambitious program.
From that small beginning 20 years
ago the National Federation Of Fed
eral Employees has become the largest
organization Of its kind"
In the intervening years, Steward
pointed out, better pay, retirement
and liberalized leave have been notable
advances, and administrative abuses
have been ironed out. 1t is recognized,
however, he added, that "only a start
in the way of reform has been made"
The fundamental objective of the
organization" Steward concluded, is
to raise the character and quality Of
the Federal service; to make the Gov-
I>I Mi VIA