The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-09
U. S. WORKERS
HEAR PERSONNEL
REFORM PLANS
RamspeCk Talk BareS
Merit System Move
BY J. EARLE MoSER

workers and setting up Of a syS-
tenn for promotion by non-compe-
titive examinations, was revealed
to the convention of the National
Federation Of Federal Employees to-
day by Representative Robert
Ramspeck, chairman Of the House
Civil Service Committee.
Ramspeck, who drew the lime
light yesterday with an uncom.
promising attack on Senator Ken
meth Mcclellan CD Of Tennessee,
for allegedly holding up his bill
to place poStmasters under the
Civil Service system. revealed that
the Civil Service Commission had
written the motion to revamp pres
emit personnel methods.
WHITE HOUSE o. X.
The suggestions, embodied in g
report compiled by the commits
sion after numerous conferences
with Government personnel ad-
ministrators, have been sent to
the White House for approval,
Ramspeck said, adding that there
is every indication" that the Ad-
ministration will put them into
effect. The report, hitherto kept
secret by Officials, was completed
early in the year.
Under its provisions, RamSpeck
told the convention, Government
EMPLOYEES would be allowed to seek
promotion each year by taking
non.competitive examinations for
higher salaried positions which
are vacant, the suggested ruling
authorizing tests for classified
workers who desire transfer to
jobs for which an open register
exists"
Likewise, the legislator revealed,
the probation period now required
for all workers eligible for per-
manent status would be length.
ened from six months to one year,
during which the Civil Service
Commission would require at least
two reports on the employe from
his supervisor.
REPORT REQUIRED
At the end of the probation pc
Rod the workers supervisor would
be required to submit an "affirma-
tive report" regarding the eff
cheney, before permanent status is
granted. ...
At present, Ramspeck said, no
attention is paid new employees,
such persons receiving permanent
status merely because no protest Is
fled with the Civil Service Com
mission in regard to their den
ciencieS.
Another outstanding provision
of the report now on President
Roosevelt's desk would allow all
Federal workers who desire ad-
vancement to prepare themselves
for better positions by 'in-service
training" during leisure hours.
Glasses, administered by the Civil
Service Commission, would be in.
augurated with Federal officials
as teachers, and would be open to
all employees who cared to attend.
The Commissions advocacy Of this
proposal, Ramspeck said, was in
fluenced largely by the success
met by the Department Of Agri'
culture in installing "in4service
training" for its personnel.
NEED MORE HELP
Installation Of the program.
which would also include extern
sion of classification to 100000
field employees, would requir
strengthening Of the present staff
of the Civil Service Commission,
Ramspeck said. The COMMISSIONS
examining staff would need in
crease in personnel, he declared
and the Commission would also
need a training adviser" within
it's staff to coordinate the "in-ser
vice training" program.
The initial cost Of the proposed
program, and item which admit
tedy may hold it up for a year OF
two, would be $685. 1855, the N. F
F. E. was told, while its annual
cost would oe $177,040. The fig
ureS were estimated by the Civil
Service Commission.
The N. F. F. E. spent yesterday
in q torrid session, marked by d
spirited fight over continued use
of the word union" in connection
with the organizations activities
in the future.
Numerous delegates from al
parts Of the country declared that
the word union" has become
synonymous with subversive &C
tivity in recent months, and recon-
mended that the N. F. F. E. droE
the term in favor Of association
or Organization" The Detroit
local declared, through its dele
gate, that "the word union is ruin
ing us in our city"
GUST C. 1. o. MAN
An organizer for the United
Federal Workers of America, Gov
eminent union, affiliated with the
Committee for Industrial Organi
cation, attempted at this juncture
to take a seat within the conven
ton hall, at the press table under
President Luther Stewards gaze
He was Immediately requested tc
leave, and did so.
A vote on the question, after q
spirited defense of union" as q
federation by-word by Belle Trou
= land, of the Bureau Of Engraving
and Printing, saw the convention
vote down the suggested amend
ment.
President Steward and Gertrude
! M. McNally, secretary-treasurer
will he uninnIlslY reelected to of