The Washington times., 1937-03-01

lures Of Government employees wen
known to their colleagues, with accom-
panyinE biographical sketches of them.
Federal workers interested In such
photos, especially members Of Govern
ment organizations, should contact the
writer in the editorial room by S;io
d. M, or phone DI. 1000, branch slO'
According to Chief Examiner
Lawson A. Meyer, who addressed
members of the National Fedora
ton Of Federal Employees recently
at a forum meeting, the Civil
Service Commission has high
hopes of installing system greatly
enhancing the opportunities OF
Government clerks for raising
themselves "by their bootstraps."
The commissions idea, Meyer
indicated, is to allow Federal en-
ployes to file applications at any
time for higher positions than the
ones they are holding. They would
then be allowed individually 10
take q competitive test for the
position sought.
Those who passed would have
their names placed on q supple
mentary register. When an open
ing for the position occurred in
a department the commission
would send along the supplemental
register in addition to the register
composed of eligible people out
side Of the service.
When hiring, officials could
then appoint employees Of expe-
rience and proven ability in lower
Jobs if they so chose, avoiding
the uncertainties Of inexperienced,
untried personnel. Such a sup
Elemental register would also de-
lay the frequency Of costly nation
wide exams, Meyer pointed out.
The cost Of doing this would be
about $25, 900, and its ultimate &C
ceptance depends upon whether
the commission is given the neces-
Sary sum in appropriations.
Meyer also advocated longer
probationary periods, possibly a
year, as being necessary for a
complete merit system. He point
ed out that the probationary pc
riod was originally intended to be
as much a part Of testing an en-
ploye as the test ITSELF" but that
the present six-month stretch has
in many cases become a mere for
mality.
Answering questions, he deplored
the regulation allowing appoint
ing officers to select one OF three
highest eligibles, wherein the high
est is frequently refused a job re-
peatedly, but said nothing can
be done about it," The commission,
he said, would like to have apoint-
ments made straight down" the
eligible lists, and he said some Fed
eral officials follow such a pro-
cedure despite their right under
the law to reject two out OF every
three.
The most recent disposition Of
the Lucien Koch controversy
within A. F. G. E. ranks has peeved
quite a few members, including a
good many who cannot be con-
strued as belonging to the radical"
minority.
In the face Of the mass of Off
cial evidence collected from the
Arkansas State legislature, it is
highly doubtful if a sufficient de-
fense could be mustered by Labor
Lodge No. IL to seat its delegate
after a formal trial.
Nevertheless, compliments point
out, Koch was formerly denied a
seat not only without trial but
without charges against him. FL
nally, when the charges had been
mimeographed, the matter was
brought up as surprise move and
rushed through, many delegates
voting on something they knew
very little about.
One large lodge is reported con-
Sidering withdrawal entirely from
the D. c. Department.
The newest wrinkle on the hori-
zon is a proposed cooperative res
taurant.
At the central High School mass
meeting recently to discuss an ap-
peals board for Government clerks,
those who attended were handed
questionnaires asking them if they
would be interested in investing in
q restaurant established and op-
Grated on Rochdale cooperative
principles.
The blanks ask how many meals
you ate at restaurant during the
past week, what was the average
amount you paid for them, and
how muc'l trade you would give
the establishment if it were estah.
liShed. Stock would sell at SIS
per share, each shareholder would
have but one vote, and any savings
would be returned to stockholders
on the basis Of the amount Of pur.
chaSeS.
Nine folk are awaiting public re-
Spouse to their idea, Kay EnoiX,
Mathilde Hader, Ed Knapp, Jacob
Baker, Haydn Wyer, Joran Birke-
land, Monroe Campbell, Beatrice
Schalet and Mary Taylor. Such
an establishment, if successfully
put under way might well satisfy
the need for a Federal employees
CONTINUED on Page 2S, Col. 81
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