Evening star., 1940-09-18
U.F.W.Combats
Non.Defense
Economy Drive
AppeoI to Roosevelt
Planned; Hordships to
Workers Claimed


America voted today to ask Presi-
dent Roosevelt to head of an econ
omy campaign in non-defense
agencies.
Calling attention to Budget Bu-
reau proposal that the non-defense
establishments save 10 per cent of
their current appropriations, reso-
luton adopted at the federation
convention at Almas Temple de-
clared this course is false economy"
that works hardship on the employees
affected.
Henry Rhine, an organizer, said
the low paid workers are particularly
hard hit by this saving as they are
denied needed and merited promo
ton.
The convention also went to work
on its legislative program today by
adopting resolution favoring
passage of a bill to establish the
flve-day work week in Government.
Fries Speech Hailed.
Earlier the delegates shouted ap-
proval of a speech by Representa-
tive Fries. Democrat, of Illinois, who
voted against the Burke Wadsworth
conscription bill, when he declared,
Il shall continue to vote against
every piece of legislation designed
to involve us in the European dog
fight"
The Representative told the con-
vention that the greatest fifth
columnists in this country are those
who advocated conscription of
human flesh, but opposed the con-
scription of materials for war"
I'VE have right to conscript every
damned thing in the~United States"
he shouted. Mr.. Fries declared also
that unemployment in the country
is traceable to the contemplate,
stupid methods of dealing with this
problem employed in the United
States Congress"
Forecasts on Legislation.
AS delegates continued their con-
vention they had the following fore
casts from Chairman Ramspeck of
the House Civil Service Committee
on three major pieces of legislation
that organized Government workers
are pushing:
Civil service extension: Promise
from Senate leaders to take up at
this session the Ramspeck bill that
already has passed the House.
Liberalized retirement: Future in
doubt.
Appeals machinery for handling
employe grievances: Next year, per
hapS.
May Die in Jam.
Addressing the convention yes
terday afternoon, Chairman Rams
peck said that the Senate
leaders have given pretty def
mite assurance" that the Ramspeck
bill will be considered before ad-
journment. but he pointed out that
differences with the House will have
to be adjusted. and that the bill,
which has been before the Senate
seven months, may die in the GUS
tomary last-minute jam unless is
is speedily taken up. He urged
union members to make personal
contact with their Senators in be-
half of the measure, which would
give the President authority to ex-
tend civil service to between 125.0OO
and 10000 positions that now are
patronage.
A liberalized retirement bill which
seemed assured of passage failed
last year when some employe groups
baked at raising their contribu-
tions from 3l2 to per cent of
their salary, and Mr.. Ramspeck,
who sponsored the measure. told
the convention he felt that a gold
en- opportunity was lost" at that
time. mo one can tell what the
future will bring" he added He
recalled that the U. F. w. was will
ing to go along on the increased
contribution to obtain the added
benefits.
Government Pays 90 Cents.
Chairman Ramspeck also repeated
what he formerly has told other
groups, that Government workers
will have to pay more if they expect
changes in the retirement setup.
explaining that the Government
now is paying 80 cents of every
dollar contributed toward the re-
tirement fund, and the employees,
only eight. He reiterated that there
are interests" at work here seek
ing to bring about the consolidation
of the employe retirement system
with the social security system, and
emphasized that the much lower
benefit scale of the later-to which
private employees contribute so per
cent-made this move highly un-
desirable.
Mr.. Ramspeck said he was hope
full that Congress would enact ap-
peals legislation at the next session,
and while he is not committed to
any definite formula, he does not
think that I'VE ought to start off
with anything elaborate or costly"
The first resolution adopted by
the convention yesterday afternoon
was pledge of unqualified loyalty
and complete allegiance to the
United States
Another resolution committed the
federation to campaign to organ
ize the many thousands of unor-
ganized workers in the Government
service"
A dance will be held tonight.