The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-07
N.E.E.E.P FARLEY
COOL TO TERMS
OF RETIREMENT
Delegates to Oppose
Increase in LevieS
BY J. EARLE MosER

SPRINGFIELD, H., Sept. z.
Despite its Administration back
in, opposition to the Ramspeck re-
tirement bill doomed here today
as the twentieth Jubilee" conven.
ton Of the National Federation OF
Federal Employees entered its Sec
ond session.
According to N. r. F. z. officials,
two provisions Of the legislation
are the targets of serious objection
from retirement experts among
the 400 delegates gathered to form
a policy for the employe organize
ton for the next two years.
LEVY RAISE FOUGHT
The first, and most objection
able, is the bills clause providing
for an increase in contributions
from employees salaries, from 3h
to 5 per cent. This will be OPP
posed, it was said today, unless q
clause is included requiring the
Federal Government to contribute
an amount equal to that given by
each worker. Secondly. federation
officials are against the proposal
to allow the Government the OPP
ton to retire an employee after 30
years Of service, an item they have
consistently fought in past years.
Ulrey J. Biller, vice president
and nationally recognized author.
ity On retirement, was appointed
chairman Of the committee on re-
tirement late yesterday by Presi.
dent Luther c. Steward, and said
no action would be taken on the
federation'S stand on the bill until
Representative Ramspeck al
dresses the convention early to-
morrow Following the address,
Mr.. Ramspeck will confer with
Biller's unit on the retirement
question and a definite policy for
the N r. F. e. adopted.
STRIKE WARNING
Yesterdays opening session was
marked by three highlights, a let
ter Of congratulation by President
Roosevelt, in which he also warned
all Government organizations
against strikes, Scathing attack
against rival unions by President
Luther C. Steward of the N. r. r,
E., and a written promise of mill
tant action on behalf Of the merit
system by Samuel II. Ordway,
newly appointed minority Civil
Service conIniSStoner-hiS first
public statement.
President Roosevelt's letter,
which ccmplimented the N, F. F.
=. for its conservative stand In
the past, caused Steward to make
this comment amid cheers from
400 delegates:
"ThiS communication was sd.
dressed to the organized group
which honorably and construc-
lively and successfully has
worked for more than two de-
cadeS, whose recognition of
the rights and responsibilities
ana proper procedure for the
proper conduct Of federal en-
ploye affairs has been from the
outset exactly in consonance
with what President Roosevelt
has Indicated"
ORnWAY is HEARD
Mr.. Ordway, a "man Of mystery
since he was appointed to the
Civil Service Commission three
weeks ago to replace DR.. Leonard
D. White. declared his intentions
Of fighting for a thorough merit
system via a letter to the conven.
ton, bluntly Worded, in which he
said:
please make it clear to the
convention that I look forward
to learning about the basic
needs Of the services through
the federation. You know my
eagerneSs to see some sort of
real merit basis established for
promotionS-only one of many
reeds-but one should like to
help solve If I 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 accomplish
ment seem almost Superhuman.
But am young and eager and
with sound advice such as yours
have hope"