Evening star., 1938-10-21
MEDICAL COSTS
HIT BY ASSEMBLY
Civil Service Unit Seeks
More Data on Group
Health Operations.

care has been raised ITO the point
where it Is too expensive for the
pocketbook Of those who work for
wages and salaries" the Civil Service
Assembly of the United States and
Canada voted today to conduct q re-
search into group health operations
for the benefit OF its members.
The resolution outlining the pro-
cedure to be followed authorized the
president to appoint q committee TO
assemble information and data re-
garding group health plans; to develop
model arrangements for various types
Of governmental organizations, and to
bring such information. data and pro-
posals to the attention Of the members
Of the assembly,"
This action was taken as the dele
gates from Federal, State and local
governments comprising the assembly
completed their 30th annual confer
ence at the Wardman Park Hotel.
Jennings New President.
Earlier the assembly had elected q
new president, choosing David v.
Jennings, chief examiner Of the Mil
waukee County Civil Service Commis-
sion, to succeed Charles H. Bland,
chairman of the Civil Service Com
mission of Canada, who has served
two years.
Mr.. Jennings was member Of the
Executive Council, with a year yet
to serve, and his place was taken
by Emory Olson, chairman of the Los
Angeles Civil Service Commission, who
formerly was connected with the
School Of Public Affairs of American
University here c. L. Campbell OF
the New York State Civil Service Com
mission was elected to the council for
a four-year term, succeeding Charles
P. Messick, chief examiner and secre-
tary of the New Jersey State Civil
Service Commission.
The assembly adopted resolution
approving President Roosevelts execu-
tive orders extending civil service to
thousands Of positions now exempt, but
declined to go on record as calling
for legislation to put additional Fed
eral positions under civil service that
are outside by statute. Delegates
raised the point that the assembly,
non-profit making organization,
would be liable to taxation as lobby
ing group If it worked for legislation.
Sees Move Futile.
DR.. W. w. Stockberger, special as
sistant to the Secretary of Agriculture.
expressed the view that resolutions of
this sort are futile unless they are
backed up by active efforts in the
cause they support.
1t was made clear. however, that
the assembly approved the extension
of civil service as far as possible
The next meeting is expected to
be on the Pacific Coast. but the
Executive Council will decide that later.
At one Of the best-attended sessions
Of the flve-day meeting, which had
a record registration of more than 500
representatives OF Federal, State and
local governments, the delegates were
informed late yesterday by Harry
B, Mitchell, president of the Civil
Service Commission, that an effective
form Of appeals procedure for handling
employe grievances in the Government
is In prospect.
With provision for this machinery
long sought by employe organiza-
tions-incorporated in President Roose-
velt's orders of June "a revamping
civil service, Mr.. Mitchell sketched
a plan that is looked upon favorably
by the President, under which en-
ployes will have redress. At present,
appeals to the Civil Service Commits
sion are limited to cases involving
charges Of religious or political dis
elimination.
The contemplated set-up would pro-
vide first of all for conciliation COM
mittees in each agency for initial
handling Of grievances. Over all would
be an appeals tribunal-probably
part Of the Civil Service Commission
whose decision in any case coming up
from the lower body could be made
binding by presidential order.
While the President has indicated
his approval, Mr.. Mitchell explained
that before any plan became a reality
its details would be worked out by the
commission and the new Council OF
Personnel Administration that is to
come into existence on February !
next.
A number of underoficials of the
Government participated in the round
table on employe grievances at which
the tentative program was discussed
and it was agreed by all that difficulties
should be settled as near the source
as possible, thus making it unneces-
sary to 60 higher up.
At the annual dinner of the assem-
ly last night at the Mayflower Muir
ray w. Latimer, chairman of the
Railroad Retirement Board, said that
the need for an effective civil service
is more urgent than ever before be
cause Of the expansion Of the area
OF government in the United States"
IT civil service is to be effective, he
warned, 1T must be neutral in par
tisan politics" and at the same time
must recognize that unless it keeps
democratic objectives in view and
maintains q democratic spirit 1t will
stratify into a bureaucracy which will
we'll become dangerous vested in
terest Of its own"