Evening star., 1941-09-01
Rising Living Costs
Pinch u. ). Workers,
Steward Warns
May Be Necessary to
Seek Immediate Raises,
n. F. F. {. Is Told
BY ]. A. FOX,
Star Staff Correspondent

serting that the advance in living
costs developing from the defense
program is being felt with increasing
force, Luther c. Steward, presiden
of the National Federation of Fed.
eral Employees, today told the bi.
ennial convention Of the organiza.
ton that it had become necessary
to seek an immediate pay raise. .
New evidence is constantly pre-
senting itself, that following the
pattern of all national emergen-
cies, there are inflationary tenden-
cies which sharply accentuate price
rises, lower the purchasing value OF
the dollar and fall heaviest upor
those with fixed salaries" he said
Already the cost of living has beer
substantially increased and we may
definitely expect that this increase
will continue. 1t is apparent, there
fore, that the most important leg
islative objective for the immediate
future must be the securing of an
adequate increase of the compen-
Sation of civilian Federal employees
at least during the pending emer-
gency, to offset the decrease of the
purchasing power of their dollars"
Must Be Vigilant.
Mr.. Steward advanced the pay
proposal in a speech at the opening
session of the convention in which
he discussed the legislative gains
made by Government workers in
the past two years, and outlined fu-
ture aims. At the same time, he ad-
monished the 200 delegates that
we must be vigilant to safeguard
and consolidate the victories we
have won and the objectives we
have gained.
"As is the case in all human en-
deavor," he continued, accomplish
ment of an objective does not
justify relaxation of vigilance. Fed
eral employees have seen within the
last few years accomplishments
representing years of effort swept
away in an instant There is and
probably always will be, a danger
of legislative raids upon the most
priced possessions of Federal en-
ployes, notably the merit system,
the compensation classification
structure, and the maintenance of
satisfactory working conditions.
within the last few months
several attempts have been made
to undermine the effectiveness OF
the extension of the competitive
classified service under the au-
thority contained in the Rams
peck Mead Act. One which de-
prived several thousand employees Of
the Department of Agriculture OF
the benefits of the act was success
full"
Mr.. Steward added that he was
hopeful a.bill would be passed to
restore civil service rights to these
employees, numbering some $1,000 IN
the Farm Security Administration
who we're taken out of the competl-
tive service by an appropriation Dill
rider. President Roosevelt has come
to the assistance Of these employees
and has urged Congress to resclno
the action that deprived them OF
civil service status.
Voices Optimism.
Taking up the subject OF liberal
lied retirement legislation, long
advocated by the federation, Mr..
Steward voiced optimism over the
prospects of passage OF a measure
sponsored by Representative Rams
peck, Democrat. of Georgia. CHAIR
man of the House Civil Service
Committee. which is expected
shortly to be reported to the House.
Under this bill, which would
lower retirement ages, the employe
contribution would be increased
from 3lz to per cent, ana MI.
Steward emphasized that 1T may
be definitely expected that en-
ployes will be required to make TINS
Increased contribution If they nope
for added benefits.
"1t is also definitely indicated,
he continued, that If the ClVli
service retirement system is to avoid
losing its separate Identity, ellhel
In whole or in part, by encroachmen'
of the Social Security system, some
provision must be enacted into law
Whereby federal employees within the
retirement system, leaving the serV-
ice shall not Withdraw their de-
nosits but leave them for ultimate
annuity to be matched by the gov
ernment's contribution"
Outstanding Achievement.
Mr.. Steward described passage OF
the Civil Service Extension ACT ana
the new Ramspeck-Mead bill TO
nrovide periodic promotions as out
standing accomplishments OF the
past two years, and cited as another
gain the Reynolds act to pay over
time at navy yard and arsenals. he
pointed out however, that the pay
measure excludes clerical workers
and that as a result the regulations
promulgated by the President nave
in actual operation been shown
tnIAlIlN W ulSII oc"-AASN
certain per annum employees en-
gagged in defense work"
Reviewing the activities OF the
federation, Mr.. Steward told his
associates that "a priceless and
unioue asset" of the organization is
the respect and confidence it en-
ioys among administrators and leg
islators. because they know that
we deal fairly and honestly, that we
keep our word, that our motives are
sound. that our suggestions are rea-
sonable and that we do not under
any circumstances break a conf
dence."
Under no condition do we expect
to alter that policy" he concluded.
Outside of Mr.. Stewards speech
the opening session was devoted fol
most part to preliminaries.
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