The Washington times., 1937-02-12

their colleagues, with accompanying mo-
graphical sketches. Federal folk inter.
eSted in such photos. or members of Gov.
ernment organizations, should contact
the writer in the editorial room by 5:15
D. m or phone hi. 1000. branch 21O.
Some indication Of the vast dif-
ference in fate which awaits the
45.OOO.odd emergency workers IN
WASHINGTON under the two diff.
ferent methods advanced for
bringing them under merit status
has developed in hearings on
Capitol Hill.
Speaking before the House
Civil Service Committee, Harry
B. Mitchell, of the Civil Service
Commission, yesterday presented
a personal estimate to the effect
that if emergency personnel is
forced to undergo competitive
tests to hold jobS-So advocated
by House Civil Service Chairman
Ramspeck-not more than one.
fourth would survive.
More than 10000 in this city
and 225.OOO throughout the service
WOllQ
cause even though they made
passing marks they would prob.
ably be outranked by thousands
who may not have ever worked
for the Government, but who will
surely bone" or cram" for any
forthcoming competitive tests. On
the other hand, Mitchell eSti.
mated that IS per cent would be
able to pass a non-competitive
exam, while fellow official at
Civil Service some weeks ago eSti'
mated that 95 per cent would
come through with colorS flying.
Prayers from political appoin'
tees for amendment of the Rams.
peck measure to allow for mere
non-competitiVes would appear to
be in order.
Some idea OF the righteousness
of competitive tests under the
present law has likewise evolved
from the current hearings. Should
a bill providing for the competi.
tive exams be passed, and the
President begin to bring agencies
under civil service one after an
other, perhaps two months apart.
new eXamination-nation-Wide-
would have to be announced each
time, and for each type of posi-
ton concerned. Stenographers
and typistS, for instance, would
have a new chance to pass the re-
quirements as each agency was
brought in, and those who failed
at first could keep on trying.
The resultant tumble would be
amazing and unprecedented, and
the position of the forgotten in
cumbents who have at the least
proven their ability to do the worh
over a period of four or more years
can best be left to the imagina.
ton.
Hearing notes: Among those
on hand yesterday in the old
House Office Building were
Luther Steward and Gertrude Nc
Nally, guardians of the N. F. F. E.
throne: Pat ONeill, of the Unapoc
CP. o. Clerks; E. Claude Babcock,
Lawson Moyer and ISmar Baruch,
of Civil Service in addition to
Harry Mitchell and Kenneth vi
pond, who testified. And one of
those mentioned above declared
that neither method of testing
would work. that they might as
well blanket 'em in as they always
did in the past"
The climax of the day occurred
shortly before recess, when Pho
tographer John Rous' flaShlight
bulb exploded like a Bolshevik's
bomb to rain splinters of glass
into the bushy hair Of Charles
Halleck, of Indiana's Second Dis
trict. Halleck, amid outlaws. re-
marked:
Though they had me that
time!"
Tuesday evening, 7::30 o'clock,
the "Thirty-third Club" will pre-.
sent a dinner dance at the Madril'
lon Restaurant, Executive Chair
man Lee Amann, of FHA, an
nounced today. The club. COM
posed of former residents Of New
York's Thirty-third District, will
honor Representative and Mrs.
Fred j. Douglas as guests.
Margaret O'Connor, Co. 5262-J,
Is to accept reservations until
Monday night and hostesses for
the affair are Marie Thomas,
Mary Gallagher, Ida Thomas,
Mary O'Connor, Ida Berkowitz
and Edna Thomas. They will be
assisted by Joseph Nayes, Gilbert
Stinger, Ralph Thayer, Philip
Clonan, Edward Detgen and James
Splain.
A clerk, CATS, with Internal
Revenue at Philadelphia whose
salary is $4,000. is willing to trans.
fer to Washington at lower sal
ary. Likewise a stenographer at
Atlanta, Ga. thinks she'd like the
Capital. Anyone wishing to make
the exchange with either party
should call MET. 0357 and ask for
details.
The Wanderbird Hiking Club
presents its new club poem, by an
anonymous author, which goes;
"Ve hike ven the vetter is dry,
We hike ven the vetter is vet,
We hike, vetter ii is dry or vet
And we like it, you yust bet.
We hike ven the vetter is cold,