Evening star., 1939-12-08
Veterans Split
On Preferential
Employment
Legion Official Says
Group 'Uninterested'
In Peace Service Men
BY ]. A. FOX.

BY J. A. FOX.
, Veterans organizations split to-
day on the question of continuing
the preferential Unemployment status
in Government to which peace
time veterans are now entitled.
I'VE are interested in veterans
who served their country in time of
war; we are not interested in peace
time veterans" John Thomas Tay-
lor, a legislative agent for the Amer
lean Legion, told the President S
Committee for Improving Civil Serv-
ice at session at the Supreme Court
Building.
On the contrary, Millard w. Rice,
legislative representative for the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, said his
organization believed that peace
time veterans should retain their
present rights, but that additional
credits might be given for war
service.
Enjoy Same Status.
At present, the veterans of mill
tary or naval service enjoy the
same status whether they serve in
peace or war; this adds or 10
points to their earned ratings in
civil service examinations, the lat
ter going to disabled veterans or
their widows. who also get prefer
ence on employment registers.
The Presidents committee, headed
by Supreme Court Justice Stanley
Reed, called today's hearing princi-
pally for the benefit of veterans
groups who desire to answer critics
Of veterans preference who testified
at a hearing last month.
The session also afforded an op-
portunity. however, for further corr
sideration of the controversial ques-
ton Of bringing Government lawyers
under civil service. Urging that this
be done, the principal legal officers
OF number Of Government depart
ments and agencies joined in a
statement in which they said the
change procedure would eliminate
some Of the present "difficulties,
adding that "some of these are due
to political pressure"
Want Joint Committee.
Instead-of using the regular civil
service selective system for lawyers,
however, these law officers thought
that a joint committee of legal off,
Gers working with the Civil Service
Commission might supervise these
appointments.
Today's session clears the way
Tor the committee to prepare a re-
port which will outline its views on
methods for recruiting, training and
promoting personnel for the higher
bracket positions In the Government.
1t was originally intended to bring
all these positions under civil service
by President Roosevelts 8 order which
was effective February / last, but
1t was decided at that time that the
Government lacked adequate ma
chinery for opening the places to
competition.
The Civil Service Commission has
recommended in the past that
veterans preference be limited to
those persons with wartime service,
and Mr.. Taylor's views were
solicited by Gen. Robert E. Wood of
Chicago, member of the committee,
after the American Legion repre-
sentative had presented the state
ment strongly defending the prin-
ciple of veterans preference. After
Mr.. Taylor had said the Legion had
no concern with the peace time
veterans, Chairman Reed asked if he
didn't think that these persons made
certain economic sacrifices by dom
ming the uniform.
Il think the peace-time soldier
goes into service technically for the
purpose Of obtaining employment"
Mr.. Taylor answered. "He doesn't
give up anythingAhe gets something
that fellow"
Says Other Nations More Liberal.
Mr.. Rice declared that other coun-
tries are more liberal in the question
Of veterans preference than the
United States-some Of these even
requiring that a certain percentage
Of positions go to veterans.
The views of the legal officers. on
civil service for lawyers was pre-
sented by Chester T. Lane, general
counsel for the Securities and Ex-
change Commission. At present the
lawyers of some agencies are under
civil service, but the great number
are not.
Mr.. Lane said there seemed to be
an impression that those whom he
represented are opposed ito any
system of scientific selection, tenure,
promotion, retirement or other de-
vice" which would change the exist
ing system. That, he said. is incor-
rect. These officers, he added, did
oppose bringing lawyers under civil
service in February because they
did not believe that conditions would
permit this to be done in the way
1t should.
The committee had planned to
confine this final hearing to this
mornings session, but several wit
nesses still remained to be heard
and it was decided to resume testi-
mony at $50 tomorrow morning.