Evening star., 1937-03-17
RAMSPECK WARNS
j. S. WORKERS ON
REORGANIZATION
Cautions Employees to Be on
Alert to Protect
interests.
LOCAL NO. 2, N. F. F. E.,
OBSERVES ANNIVERSARY
Civil Service Commission Head
and McCarran Also Address
Dinner Meeting.

A warning to Government worker.
to be on guard against inimical legis.
lation when the departmental reor.
ganization program gets started
through Congress was sounded las,
night by Representative Ramspeck
Democrat, of Georgia, chairman Of
the House Civil Service Committee.
Speaking at the twenty-flrst ami.
versary dinner Of Local No. 2, Ma.
tlonal Federation of Federal EN-.
ployes, in which several hundred mem.
bers and guests participated at the
Press Club, Ramspeck warned thai
reorganization can be beneficial OF
1t can be as much of a headache q,
the economy act was"
Harry B. Mitchell, president Of thu
Civil Service Commission, anothe,
speaker. pledged the aid of the Com.
mission in putting Government service
on a career basis and from Senate,
McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada
author of the pending pay raise bill
the local received a message promising
continued efforts In behalf Of Federal
employees.
Need Of Organized Effort Seen.
Telling his audience that he does
not anticipate much other legislation
until the fight over the Supreme
Court is out Of the way, Represent
ative Ramspeck said that once that
issue is decided. he looks for Presi-
dent Roosevelt's reorganization plan
to be taken up. When that time comes,
he emphasized, organized effort will
be needed as never before.
Some members on this (reorgan-
ization) joint committee" Ramspeck
said, have never shown any disposi-
ton to be interested in Federal en-
ployes or their welfare, or their prob
lens. say this not in criticism, bu,
simply because they have had other
interests.
Some of them are interested in
economy. Well, I am interested in
economy, too, but I don't believe in
economy that comes out Of the hides
Of the people Of America.
Il think 1t Is going to be nsces-
sary for some OF lfs who are interested
In the welfare Of Federal employees to
watch that reorganization bill very
closely"
Backs Competitive Examina ations.
Chairman Ramspeck also repeated
that he will continue to urge COM
petitive examinations for those en-
ployes Of the new agencies eventually
to be brought under civil service. Fur
ther, he added, If nom competitive tests
are applied. as Is provided in the ad-
mfhistration's measure, he will oppose
the plan under which administrative
officers may designate those who are
to be allowed to take these tests. Any
employees not deemed qualified for
these examinations should be dropped
before the time comes for them, Rams
peck asserted.
President Mitchell said the Civil
Service Commission is hoping to see a
career service established that will
allow boy or girl to start at the
very bottom of the ladder and reach
the highest Office"
The commission, he added, also Is
intensely interested" IN the bill to put
postmasters under civil service and
hopes for legislation broadening the
retirement act and further extending
civil service.
Steward Hopeful.
Luther C.. Steward, national presi-
dent Of the federation, said he antici-
pated from the present session OF
Congress-even with the existing jam
-"substantial items of legislation"
that will benefit Federal workers and
the service itself.
Miss Gertrude McNally, secretary
treasurer, spoke Of the long history OF
Local No. 2, which was one Of ''le in
pendent units which eventually
went to make up the National Fedora
tion, and praised the loyalty OF the
members, bot, to the organization and
to the service they perform.
Many Of the charter members Of the
local were present last night, and these
received special membership cards
from Ulrey j. Biller, fifth national
vice president. Biller recalled the
launching Of the organization, and
said the colder members didn't know
whether 1t was going to cost them
their jobs or not" to belong.
The guests included many members
frol out Of the city, as we'll a. repre-
sentatives Of other organizations. Dr.
Howard A. Edison. the president
opened the celebration and then
turned 1t over to DR.. ]. Franklyn
Meyer, the toastmaster.
There was an entertainment pro-
gram by the Department Of Agricul-
ture Orchestra, Miss Helen Robichaux
Miss Lorraine INLAY and Miss Jean
Claggett.