Evening star., 1941-01-16
Ramspeok Forecasts
Start Of Hearings on
Promotion Bill Soon
Tells of Hopes for Fair
Law at Observance
For Civil Service
A. P. Photo.

thing fair and equitable that will
meet with the approval Of the
Appropriations Committee" the
House Civil Service Committee soon
will start hearings on the Budget
Bureau promotion bill providing for
periodic pay increases that would
permit qualified employees to reach
the maximum rates in their grade
in from 9 to 10 years.
Decision to start work on the pay
measure was announced last night
py Representative Ramspeck, DEM
ocrat, of Georgia, chairman of the
House Civil Service Committee, as
the District Federation of Federal
Employees Unions, affiliate of the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes, observed the 53th anniver-
sary of the passage of the Civil
Service Act, with a meeting in North
Interior Auditorium. The bill was
signed by President Arthur, January
is, 1888.
Mr.. Ramspeck, who introduced
the bill on the first day of the
present session of Congress, said he
was not committed" to it, but that
he felt that some systematic pro-
motion plan should be worked out,
adding that the "haphazard policies
followed in the past" with regard to
promotions nave resulted in hard
ship and discrimination fer worthy
employees.
Urges Fight to Hold Gains.
The Georgian, whose civil service
extension measure recently became
law, after a congressional battle
lasting several years. said he ex-
pected to see the President take
full advantage of the power con-
ferred on him by the legislation
which makes civil service status
possible for thousands of exempt
positions, and bring these places un-
der the merit system "as fast as
the Civil Service Commission can
handle the job"
He also admonished his hearers
not to let their interest in civil
service reform lag now that this
law has been obtained, emphasizing
that you've got to continue to
fight to maintain your gains"
In the same connection he blunt
ly warned that all working groups
must watch their STEP" lest they
furnish ammunition for those he
said would be glad to tear down
standards built up for the workers, "
if the country were gripped by
war hysteria.
I'm afraid that there are going
to be efforts made in Congress to
take away from the working people
some of the gains they've made, "
he said.
President Harry B. Mitchell of the
Civil Service Commission said the
commission was getting ready for
application of the Ramspeck Act by
working out the non-competitive
examinations which will be given
to the incumbents of positions
brought within it's scope. Mr..
Mitchell said it was not certain yet
when a start would be made to-
ward making effective the provision
of the law which will extend CLASH
flcation Act pay scales to the field
service.
The commission president and his
two associates, Commissioners Lu-
cille Foster McMillin and Arthur S.
Flemming, praised the advance for
the merit system marked by the
Ramspeck Act, Mr.. Mitchell declar-
ing that "it brought to fruition the
hopes of those who So years ago were
responsible for the establishment of
civil service"
'1t is permanent contribution to
the Government of the United
States and lays the foundation for
real career system" Commissioner
McMillin said.
Defense Increases Task.
Commissioner Flemming said that
the recruiting for defense needs had
imposed on the commission the
greatest task in its history, and he
bespoke of Government employees
generally every ounce of ability
that we as public servants possess
In carrying out the defense program.
Mr.. Ramspeck's work in behalf of
civil service also was lauded by
Luther C. Steward, president of the
NJ F F. E, and Miss Gertrude
McNally, secretary-treasurer. The
speakers were introduced by w. E.
Hoffheins, District Federation presi-
dent.
A Civil Service Week observance
will be held in South Interior audi
torium tonight by the American
Federation Of Government Employees.