Evening star., 1937-09-07
N. F. F. f. WEIGHS ;
REFORM PROGRAM
Retirement Bill Considera.
tion Delayed for Ramspeck
Talk Tomorrow.
BY J. A. FOX,
Stan Correspondent ot rhe a. a

With the formalities of the opening ses.
sion Of the twentieth jubilee convention
concluded, the National Federation of
Federal Employees today squared away
ON a discussion of the legislative pro-,
posals that will be urged on the next
session of Congress.
The delegates expected to halt work
some time during the day to hear an
address by Gov. Henry Horner of ui-
nois. Robert l.. johnson Of New York,
president of the National Civil Service
Reform League, also was expected to
speak
While the issue was not due to be
tackled for day or two, the interest
of the delegates Is centered on the
bill to revise the retirement act that
was introduced in the closing days Of
the first session of the Seventy-f1fth
Congress by Chairman Ramspeck,
Democrat, of Georgia, of the House
Civil Service Committee.
Two Provisions Scrutinized.
The measure has the backing Of the
Civil Service Commission, and report
edly of President Roosevelt, but Gov
eminent employees are finding two un-
satisfactory provisions in it. The first
is that to raise the contribution of
employees to the retirement fund from
312 to per cent of their salaries. The
opposition primarily is said to be based
on the contention that while the en-
ployes are being asked to increase
their contribution, the Government
itself Is far in arrears in It's oblira-'
ton to the fund, having only in the
past couple of years started TO take
up the slack that resulted from failure
to make any appropriation to the fund
for the first several years In which tn.
retirement act was effective. Employees
also disagree with the proposal to
make retirement optional with Gov
ernment or employe, preferring rather
to have this privilege available only to
workers.
Ramspeck is to address the conven-
ton tomorrow, however, and pending
his speech. in which he is expected to
deal with the retirement plan, all dis
cussion of it is being withheld.
An intensive membership drive Is
to be proposed by the Executive Coun-
Gil, 1t was disclosed in the biennial
report of Secretary-Treasurer Gertrude
M. McNally. II approved, the drive
would take place in October, Novem-
Der and December, with the objective
of doubling the membership Of the
federation.
The recurrent proposal 10 revamp
the official family Of the federation
also has bobbed up again, with dele
gates from Ohio, Louisiana and Call
fornia advocating rearrangement of
the plan for electing vice presidents
now chosen at large-to provide for
representation by districts, and, spe-
cifically, to increase the number from
8 to 10 to give individual representa-
ton for California, the entire North
western territory now having only one
vice president. Opinion generally
seems to be against any change.
Militant Fight Forecast.
Members of the federation were an
ticipating the injection Of a militant
element into the Civil Service Com
mission, following receipt yesterday Of
a telegram from Samuel H. Ordway,
jr.. of New York, the new Republican
member, who takes ONCE September
is. Chosen 10 succeed DR.. Leonard D.
White, Ordway, formerly a member Of
the New York Civil Service Commits
sion, in acknowledging an invitation
to attend the N F. F. e. convention.
said he would make it If possible, and
added:
"You know my eagerness 10 see
some sort of real merit basis estab-
lished for promotions-only one of
many needs-but one ! should like to
help to solve if can secure the needed
support. I am fully aware of the
commissions impotence under the
law and my own minority position.
The odds against any useful accom-
plishment seem almost superhuman.
Ordway added, however. that despite
the present difficulties and Obstacles ~
he hoped Ito make some contribution
to the civil service movement"
The convention sent a telegram of
acknowledgement TO President Roose-
velt in response to his message of
greeting in which he declared that
militant unionism has no place in the
makeup of a Government workers
group, and that striking would be
'unthinkable and intolerable."
Support Principle.
This organization regards as sound
and just the principle you have enunci-
ated with respect to the privileges,
and responsibilities of p
of Federal employees"
the feredation said in message signed
by Luther C. Steward, the president.
Steward, presenting the Presidents
assailed the other white
collar" Government groups-the
American Federation of Government
Employees, affiliate of the American
Federation of Labor. and United Fed
sral Workers Of America, offshoot of
'he Committee for Industrial Organi-
sation.
Apparently with reference 10 the
OF proselyting by the
]. F. w., Steward warned any back
liders" from his organization that
there is the inevitable prospect that
hey will become mere pawns in the
lands of outside political labor manip-
llators OF dubious antecedents and
With equally dubious objectives.v An
J. F. w. organizer is here now sound