Evening star., 1940-09-19
Court Fight Planned
On Pay Deductions
Al Veterans Hospitals
U. +. W. Acts, Charging
Workers Poy for Items
They Do Not Receive


America voted today to institute suit
against Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines,
veterans administrator, to force re-
duction in charges imposed on vet
erans' hospital workers for quarters,
subsistence and laundry.
Immediately after the resolution
calling for this action was adopted
with cheers by delegates to the con-
vention, Leo Hochstetter said he
would confer with Lee Pressman,
general counsel for the C. I. O.,
preparatory to instituting proceed
ings. Mr.. Hochstetter said he ex-
pected an injunction suit would be
started at once to restrain further
collections by the Government and
that consideration also would be
given to going to the Court of
Claims to seek restitution of money
which the federation contends has
been taken Illegally from the work.
ers' pay.
The federation contends the
charges imposed by the Veterans
Administration range as high as S33
a month for employees whose salaries
are as low as S85. Most of these
employees, it is added, live at home
with their families and work, an
elsht-hour day and consequently
are charged for meals and other
accommodations they do not re-
ceive.
Three-Year Campaign.
"1'ha Tinted Fe6oro1 WorLare IF
America has vigorously and con-
sistently campaigned for three years
to abolish these compulsory charges
and in so doing has repeatedly called
the lnJustlces Of this practice to the
attention of the central Office OF the
Veterans Administration. the reso-
luton said, but added, however, that
despite minor notifications of this
unWarranted practice no adequate
or satisfactory remedy to this gross
inequity has been forthcoming.
The resolution states also that
there is sound reason to believe
that the administrator of the Vet
Grams Administration has exceeded
and misinterpreted his authority" in
making these salary deductions.
Mr.. Hochstetter said today that
the federation had forced reduc-
ton of these charges in a West
Coast hospital through court action.
Temporary workers dismissed from
Government service since June 80.
1889, today were made eligible for
Unemployment in defense agencies
when the Civil Service Commission
decided they could go on the re-
placement list established for these
units by executive order.
The commissions decision was re-
ported today at the closing session
OF the convention. which has been
advocating this step
Order Issued By President.
The order was issued by President
Roosevelt to give the Government
the benefit in the preparedness pro-
gram of experienced workers who
mad been dropped in the reduction
OF forces at such establishments as
w. P. A. and P. w. A.
1t was originally interpreted to
apply only to permanent employees.
Under its terms non-civil service
workers become eligible for places
IN the defense group that ordinarily
would go to civil service employees.
The convention which has been
IN session since Tuesday is the first
the federation has held since it was
Set up by the c. I. o. in 1897. and
when a proposed constitution was
made public today 1t was disclosed
that the c. I. o. would continue to
name the officers of this affiliate un-
til the federation becomes self-sup-
porting. Since the establishment of
the federation the C. I. o. has con-
tributed more than $95,00O for its
operation. according to a financial
statement submitted to the conven-
ton.
Jacob Baker was designated for
the presidency and Eleanor Nelson.
secretary treasurer, when John L.
Lewis established the federation.
and they have since served in those
Offices. If the delegates approve
the constitution they are expected
to be reappointed
Fourteen members of the execu-
tive council also are to be named.
A large number of resolutions
covering working conditions awaited
action by the convention at its
final session.