Evening star., 1938-09-11
A.E.G.E. WARNED
0FL0NE DIRECTOR
Urged to Combat Renewed
Attempt to Change
Civil Service.
BY J. A. FOX.
Star Stan Correspondent.

BY J. A. FOX,
Star Stan Correspondent
CHICAGO, Sept 10.-The American
Federation Of Government Employees
must be prepared to combat renewed
attempt in the next Congress to sup
plant the bipartisan Civil Service
Commission with 4 single administra-
tor. Charles I. Stengle, the president,
said tonight in his annual report made
public as federation members were
arriving for the annual convention
opening Monday.
Anticipating move by the admin
lshation to revive the controversial
reorganization bill that was shelved
in the House at the last session-Presi-
dent Roosevelt already has indicated
that this is contemplated-the fedora
ton head said that the civil service
change will doubtless be paramount
question" then added:
This convention, therefore, must
give careful and positive considera-
ton to this matter Already other
governmental affiliates of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor have reiter-
ated their approval Of our last years
program in behalf Of bipartisan Civil
Service Commission and it remains
only for US to repeat our action on
this matter to bring about unanimous
sentiment on this very important bill
on the part of all governmental affili-
atAs in the American Federation of
Labor. Doubtless, the American Fed
Grafton of Labor convention, which
will meet in Houston, Tex, October 3,
will again commit itself to this sound
principle"
s Calls Bill Unsatisfactory"
President Stengle declared that the
Reorganization bill was fought because
it. threatened employment and was
thoroughly unsatisfactory, but am
pflhed that 1--WE will not oppose a re-
organization bill that we consider
fair to Government workers"
In this connection he raped the
support given the measure by rival
organizations, without, however, men,
tioning by name the National Feder-
alton OF Federal Employees or the
United Federal Workers of America
He was more specific, however, In
scoring both Of these groups for MAX
ing false claims" of legislative ac-
complishment in behalf of govern
ment personnel.
we work hard and bring about re-
suits only to have victory claimed by
those who have done literally moth
ing" he said. This is not only true
of the oldest civil service organization
In the Federal Government, but like
wise OF the youngest. the only ques-
ton being which of these organiza-
tions claimed the most when victory
arrived"
Assurance From Congress.
President Stengle said the reorgan-
Hation fight tied up major civil serv-
ice bills, and that the failure to ad-
vance various proposals for lettering
working conditions had handicapped
membership recruiting, although the
Federation has now more than 500
lodges.
He said, however, that friendly"
members Of Congress had given "as-
sarances" that they will push de-
sired legislation at the next session.
This is particularly true, the report
said, of bills to extend civil service to
include those employees who cannot be
reached by President Roosevelt's order
going into effect February l.
About $50 delegates are expected
for the convention sessions at LaSalle
hotel and the resolutions thus far re-
ceived embody the same principal
proposals to which the federation has
been committed for several years:
81, 500 minimum salary; compensation
for overtime: five day week liberal
lied retirement and extension of
classification to field.
Disability and Benefits.
The convention also is expected to
take action on plan urged by a
number of New York lodges under
Which disability and benefits would
be made available to federation mem
hers under a low-cost blanket policy.
The proposal has been discussed
extensively by thu executive council
OF the federation which has been in
session since Thursday, but no
recommendations have been formu-
lated
The opening session of the conven-
tton will be addressed by Mayor Ed
ward j. Kelly. of Chicago: John Fitz-
patrick, president of the Chicago Fed
Grafton Of Labor, and Lawson A.
Meyer, chief examiner of the Civil
Service Commission. Gov. Henry Hor-
ner. Of Illinois, who was expected sent
word that previous engagements
would prevent his attendance.
President William Green of the
A. F. Of L., is scheduled to speak
Tuesday and Senator David I. Walsh
Democrat of Massachusetts,, Wednes-
day.
President Stengle discussed the
federation aims in a broadcast from
VIGIL, the A. F. of l.. station. here
tonight.