Evening star., 1938-09-18
TRIBUTE IS PAID
N.F.E.E.LEADERS
Federation's 21st Birthday
Observed at Dinner.
Hundreds Attend.


and Federal employees unions joined
last night in a five-hour tribute to
Luther G. Steward, president, and Miss
Gertrude McNally. secretary-treasurer,
Of the National Federation Of Federal
Employees, leaders Of the organization
since its inception in 1917.
The occasion was the 21st birthday
Of the federation. combined with hon.
ors paid to its highest officers, at
banquet in the Mayhower Hotel that
brought together several hundred fed
Grafton members and its leaders from
MARYLAND, Virginia, Pennsylvania and
other nearby States.
The honor guests. who have worked
side by side to help bring the FEEDER
atoms membership to $4,000 Gov
ernment workers throughout the
United States, we're showered with ver-
bal compliments and gifts. They were
complimented for the quality of their
leadership and the objectives they
have accomplished for Federal work.
ers.
Edward L. Keating Speaks.
One of the guest speakers was Ed
ward L. Keating, former Representa-
tive from Colorado and now editor OF
Labor, who declared reorganization OF
Federal workers, instead Of demoral-
izing the public service, has improved
it. and the Government would rather
deal with organized workers" In
tribute to Miss McNally. he said she
had done more than any woman IN
this country in behalf Of women
workers"
Mr.. Steward, concluding speaker on
the program, delivered vigorous plea
for expansion of systematic personnel
administration to all branches OF the
Federal service.
Presentation of gifts to the pres
ident and secretary Of the federation
were not without touches of humor
as Miss McNally gave Mr.. Steward an
orchid and Charles L. Wiegand. pres
idert of the Maryland Federation Of
Federal Employees. rendered him a
mammoth cigar. The birthday occa-
sion was observed with 81 candles
mounted on the stage Of the banquet
room. They were lighted by Mr..
Steward.
Other Speakers Listed.
Speakers on the program included,
in addition to Mr.. Keating and the
honor guests, Mrs. Lucille F. McMillen,
member of the Civil Service Commits
sion: Postmaster Vincent c. Burke,
H. Eliot Kaplan, executive secretary,
National Civil Service Reform League;
G. Lyle Belsley, director, Civil Service
Assembly of the United States and
Canada; Alvin w. Hall, director OF the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
where Miss McNally was employed be-
fore she entered organization work
among Federal workers; Irving F.
Wixon, Deputy Commissioner of I'm
migration and Naturalization; John
J. Barrett, chairman, National Legis-
lative Council of Federal Employe Or
ganizations; Ulrey j. Biller, fifth vice
president of the federation; Mr.. VIE
gand, who is third vice president; John
Fitzgerald, New York City, first vice
president: former Senator Smith w
Brookhart OF Iowa; William L.
Mitchell. director, Bureau of Business
Management, Social Security Board
Capt. Harold D. King, commissioner
Bureau of Lighthouses, Department OF
Commerce: M. F. Fitzpatrick. presi-
dent, National Association Of Postal
Supervisors. and Miss Betsy Knapp
representing the National League OF
Women Voters.
The banquet was sponsored by the
District Federation of Federal EN-
ployes with President Joseph Stans-
field presiding. Henry G. Nolda, for.
mer secretary treasurer of Local No.
of the federation here and chairman
of the Twenty-first Anniversary Com.
mittee, acted as toastmaster. Meyer
Goldman was in charge Of the music
program for the banquet.
Members Of the Banquet Committee
In addition to Mr.. Nolda, were Mis-,
Mignon Miller. Dr. J. Franklin Meyer
W. E. Hoffheins, L. Zaf Rogers. Mis-,
Grace e. Reardon, Oxford Tomlinson
Robert W. Cushman and Mr.. STAINS.
IA