Evening star., 1940-01-18
Increased Sentiment
In Congress for Pay
Advances Forecast
A. F. 6. {. Hears Mitchell
Urge Merit Friends to
Press Romspeek Bill

Confidence that Congress will ex-
tend the merit system and eventu-
ally adopt more liberal attitude to-
ward pay advances within the Gov
ernment service was expressed by
speakers at a meeting of local men,
bers of the American Federation OF
Government Employees in the In
terror Department auditorium last
night.
"Our Government still has a long
way to go before it can regard itself
as model employer" Frederick M.
Davenport, chairman of the Council
of Personnel Administration, told
the meeting. held in observance of
the 57th anniversary of the signing
of the Civil Service Act.
Stressing the need for financial
encouragement of good work
through a program of regular pay
advances, he said he believed Con-
gress can be convinced of the busi-
ness justification for more liberal
treatment Of administrative in
creases."
Other speakers included Harry
B. Mitchell, president of the Civil
Service Commission; Arthur S.
Flemming, junior member of the
commission, and James B. Burns,
national president of the A. F. G. E.
Predicts Ramspeck Bill Passage.
Mr.. Burns said he felt sure Con-
gress would pass at this session
the Ramspeck bill for extension of
the merit system to positions now
excluded by law. which also would
put field positions under the Salary
Classification Act.
Mr.. Mitchell suggested that every
citizen interested in the merit sys-
tenn demand prompt passage of the
Ramspeck bill, adding that he also
hoped Congress could be brought to
see the value to the Government of
keeping up the morale of its en-
ployes by giving them the pay raises
they are entitled to.
He referred to House action cut
ting OIL appropriations recommend
ed by the Budget Bureau to carry
out a program Of regular advances.
designed to give those earning over
5000 a year raise at least every
four years, and those under 5000
an increase every two years, provid-
ed efficiency ratings were salts
factory. The Budget Bureau pro-
gram would have cost $1,000, 900, he
pointed out, while the House cut
the money for raises to the approxi-
mately $4,000 900 it is estimated will
be saved through routine vacancies.
Favors Organization Membership.
Emphasizing the value of Govern
ment employe organizations in pro-
noting the merit system, Mr..
Mitchell said he would like to see
all Federal workers members of
one or the other of the organiza-
tions. The principal organizations in
the field are the A. F. G. E., af11li-
ated with the American Federation
OF Labor; the National Federation
OF Federal Employees, independent,
and the United Federal Workers of
America, affiliated with the Con-
gress OF Industrial Organizations.
Mr.. Davenport explained the aims
OF the Council of Personnel Ad-
mlnlstration, a new agency designed
to coordinate the work of person.
mel directors in the various Govern
ment departments and agencies.
Despite House action yesterday
cutting of funds for the council.
he said there must be some agency
to carry on its objectives to mod
ernlze personnel methods "if self
governing democracy is to survive. /"
He said the main job was to de-
velop uniform methods of handling
personnel problems, involving sta.
bilization Of employment, develop
ment Of a fair policy for handling
employe grievances, regular pay in
creases and training of personnel
on the job.
The Government cannot begin
to approach q career service
worthy Of the name" Mr.. Daven-
port said, until it does develop an
emcient program for training en-
ployes IN the job for promotions to
higher positions.