Evening star., 1937-01-13
labor SECRETARY
OUTLINES 3-P0|NT
| PERSONNEL PLAN
Letter to A. F. G. E. Urges
Fair Play Between En-
pIoyer and EmpIoye.
WOULD RAISE PAY
TO REWARD SERVICE
Adjustment Of Complaints in He,
Department Found of In.
calculable Benefit.

A three-point program for improv-
ing conditions in Federal personnel
was outlined last night by Secretary
of Labor Perkins in letter to a mass
meeting arranged by Labor Lodge, No
22s, American Federation Of Govern
ment Employees, in observance Of Civil
Service week.
The meeting was held in Govern
ment Auditorium, with several hun
dred employees attending.
Indorsing individual recommends
tions by the Labor Department heads
and praising the move made yester-
day by President Roosevelt to extend
civil service were Senator OMahoney
Democrat, of Wyoming, a member OF
the Byrd Reorganization Committee
Representative Ramspeck, Democrat
OF Georgia, chairman of the House
Civil Service Committee; Harry B
Mitchell, president of the Civil Serv.
ice Commission, and representative:
of the American Federation of Labor
The Presidents report also was In.
dorsed last night in a statement by
Luther c. Steward. president of the
National Federation of Federal EN-
ployes, who recalled the long labor oi
the federation for the principles urged
on Congress.
Justice and Fairness Asked.
Secretary Perkins program called
Assurance of justice and fair play
in employer-employe relationship;
Increased compensation as a reward
for efficiency and industry;
Assurance of promotions for those
qualified.
Under the first recommendation
Secretary Perkins told of the results
of the committee set up in her depart
ment to adjust complaints of workers
This plan was launched by the Civil
Service Committee, and has been "oi
incalculable benefit in its wholesome
effect on the morale of the employees. ;
the Secretary said in the letter reac
by r. c. Smith, labor personnel di.
rector.
Miss Perkins argued for filling va.
cancies BY promotions wherever it wa.
possible. and said that where Govern.
ment employees seek higher posts il
competitive examinations they shoulc
get a preferential point allowance
(along the lines of veteran preference)
where their efficiency ratings justify.
OMahoney also bespoke the crea.
ton of career service in Government
and improved methods of transfer be.
tween agencies to give workers tht
fullest opportunity to exercise theil
individual talents.
The same thought was voiced BY
Representative RamSpeck, who alst
emphasized his preference for filline
vacancies by appointment from within
the service rather than from without
Faith in Service.
Mitchell called on his hearers to en-.
courage faith in civil service becaus,
it is non-political. and to work to tax,
politics out of all Government appoint
mentS. He said the commission wa
hopeful of getting through som.
liberalized retirement legislation, anc
looked for adjustment Of difference.
with groups opposing the commission
plan to give the Government the same
option as the employe in retirement
after 80 years service.
Frank Morrison. secretary Of the
American Federation of Labor: w
A. Calvin, secretary-treasurer, Meta
Trades Department, A. F. of L., ane
James G. Yaden. president of the
District Department, A. F. G. E., vert
other speakers.
Charles T. Sharkey is president OF
the lodge President Stewards state
ment on behalf of the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees said that
it heartily approves not only specific
recommendations of the report, but is
gratified to note the splendidly con-
structive and progressive tenor Of the
report as a whole. Viewed in the large,
it marks a significant milestone in
the direction of sound Federal per-
sonnel administration. The National
Federation of Federal Employees is
hopeful that the fundamental recon-
mendations of the President will be
speedily enacted into law by Con-
gress."
Steward said the Federation Is
thoroughly in accord with the plan
to raise salaries, but I'VE feel strongly
that upward revision of pay schedules
is even more essential in the lower
brackets"