The Washington times., 1937-01-08

retire January
. 81.
Mr.. Strattan
RulOff r. strattan has no regrets,
however, for he doesn't plan to
stay home and twiddle his fin
gers. He doesn't even want that
''good rest" so many say they de-
sire. He's going to pitch right out
into private business and opt1mlS-
tically hopes to make more money
than I ever made at the Com
mission"
At that, strattan actually did as
sociate with three of the genius
variety. He was first appointed
with the Civil Service Commission
in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt,
when T. r. was a Commissioner. A
real friendship opened with the
man who later was to become
President.
Strattan's Federal career, how
ever, began with the Weather Bu-
reau when it was under the War
Department, and he ran into an
other genius in the person of DR..
Charles F. Marvin, famed scientist
who has now also retired. The
third of the geniuses Cor should
it be genii?) was John Philip
Sousa.
Strattan, who loves music, was
actually Sousa's private secretary
to all intents and purposes, en-
ployed by the great orchestra
leader to aid him in transcrtbing
his compositions into opera. STRAIT
tan also was employed by Com.
poser Hub Smith, who wrote Lis
ten to My Tale of Woe" and other
favorites. Smith, he says, would
plsy something on the piano and
then Strattan would take the
same piece and inStrumentalize
it. Strattan has played the cornet
and violin for years. and for is
years led the Second Regiment
Band of the National Guard.
Strattan has been active other
wise than in music. He presi.
dented the Civil Service Athletic
Association for several years, is
known around the commission for
his fine Spencerian penmanship,
and received four votes from his
lodge for the A. F. G. z. presi-
dency at Detroit last September.
At one time he was Junior ad-
ministrative assistant at Civil
Service, but lately has been serv-
ing as a statistical expert with the
service records and retirement di-
vision.
He expects to keep up his union
activities, but is to concentrate in
this regard on his post as general
adviser to the United Civil Service
employees. He leaves with no re-
grets-but he leaves regrets be-
hind him among many old pals.
Margaret Hopkins WOrrelI,
perennial advocate of better con-
ditions for Government person
mel, Is back to the wars again.
Mrs. Worrel, president Of the
League of American Civil Serv-
ice, writes:
Il am somewhat puzzled over
the mention in the press Of Or
Plantations of Government en-
plOyeS that seem to have sprung
up like mushrooms in the last
year or two and / am wonder
ing what is to be the result Of
their individual activities before
Congress.
"The N. F. F. E. was the first
organization Of Government
employees, Of which / was q
charter member until the time
of the Welch Bill, when / re-
signed and organized the
League of the American Civil
Service. Then when the split
came between the A. F. of L.
and the N. F. F. E., the A. F. G..
e. was organized, and it now ap-
pears there are many separate
groups forming, each with some
special program to put before
Congress and getting nowhere
just confusing the minds of the
legislators"
Mrs. Worrell presents an eight
point program for legislation
which includes:
/. Minimum annuity to be 1855 per
annum and maximum 81, 500 per annum
,. Automatic promotion yearly for all
employees up to the maximum of the
grade where allocated and ALLEGATION to
the same grade for all employees doing
the same class of work.
8. Esta blishment by the Civil Service
Commission OF transfer roll, on which
names of employees desiring transfers to
other work. or other departments shall be
placed, and from which roll names must
be taken whenever vacancies occur be-
fore resort is had to the regular Civil
Service eligible roll
L. Establishment of an INDEPEND-
ENT board of appeal vested with power
to make its decisions final, for the in
Vestigation of all cases, either depart
mental or field. involving dismissals, re-
ductton in grade or salary, questionable
heretofore adversely ruled on by the Per-
sonnel Classification Board and all other
matters relating to the personnel of Gov
eminent employees under said jurisdic-
tion.
Optional retirement after 30 years
of service at the age of so years.
S. Esta blishment of a hospital where
employees can receive disqualification at
the same rate provided for the Army ana
I. Equal pay for equal work and No
discrimination on account Of sex.
.. Commissary privileges such 40 are
enjoyed by the Army and the Navy.