Evening star., 1941-12-21

Tor several Gays tndG QecentrdllZa-
ton program was in prospect, the
sweeping scope of the projected
transfers caught officials and en-
ployes unawares. and the news was
received with mixed emotions. In
many instances married men and
women were confronted with the
prospect of tearing up long-estab-
hshed homes. or Of seeking trans
fers, atm all probability-reduced
salaries.
Coincident with the issuance of
the Presidents order late Friday, the
Civil Service Commission announced
the opening of a decentralization
service that would serve as a clear
ing house both for employees desiring
to stay here and those desiring
to transfer to the decentralized
agencies in order to obtain employ
ment nearer home. In consequence,
when the commission opened at 8:15
am. yesterday. a long line Of ap-
plicants was waiting at the main
entrance to make their desires
known, and telephone calls started
pouring in by the hundreds.
In order to handle this business
with as much facility as possible,
the commission asked that employees
desiring changes get clearance
through their own personnel oh1cers,
SO their, status will be clear. The
decentralization ONCE will be open
from 8::45 am. to pm. daily except
Saturday, when the hours Will be
from 8:45 am. to 2 pm.
Many May Not Go.
The calls yesterday, 1t was re-
ported. seemed to be equally divided
among persons wanting to stay in
Washington, those who wanted To
transfer out and others who simply
wanted information.
Just how many workers would
want to 60, and how many preferred
to stay, was question that some
agencies said could only be estab-
lished by personal survey. When
the H. o. L. C. shift was directed,
only about 400 employees out OF 300
went to New York
Murray w. Latimer. chairman OF
the Railroad Retirement Board.
whose 1000 employees are scheduled
to 60 to Chicago. said yesterday that
when he was at the House Decen-
tralization Subcommittee hearing
Thursday. he expressed the convic-
ton that not more than so per cent
of the board employees. would make
a move If one were ordered Mr..
Latimer said that a survey will be
undertaken at once to determine in
dividual preferences.
Many Have Ties.
The Retirement Board employees
he said, hail from all parts Of the
country, with the largest percentage
probably coming from New York
When the Budget Bureau first sent
around letter in June asking
various agencies about the pos
sibiIties Of transferring from
Washington, the board undertook a
survey of employees to determine the
extent of their ties here. but dis
continued this because of the unrest
it was causing. Family relation
ships. children in school and prop
erty investments constitute prob
lem in the board. the chairman
said, but there is also an important
technical aspect that must be kept
in mind
The board now has about l55 600
annuitants on its rolls and disburses
about S1D, 100000 in pensions month
" and its work is so intimately re-
lated with the Bureau Of Internal
Revenue, Interstate Commerce Com
mission and Social Security Board
that Chairman Latimer says that
even though the board moves, it
will be necessary to have employees
here at all times.
In addition to the pension work
the board also administers an un-
employment compensation fund for
rail workers. Besides the headquar-
tiers Office. the board has 10 regional
Offices and Is district Offices in va
rious parts Of the country. and alse
maintains intermittent service in
other sections where it Is not nee
essary to keep a permanent staff at
work.
Justice Department Objections.
At the Justice Department it was
learned that Attorney Biddle felt it
would be unwise to move the I'm
migration and Naturalization Serv-
ire OIlt of WoSbipCtnr, hcco,Ico nf
the important part it plays in the
war picture. 1t was suggested that
in its stead, the Bureau of Prisons
or some other units might be moved
away.
This issue was raised at the Sc
curities and Exchange Commission
which pointed out that thousands
Of reports on the financial standing
Of concerns seeking munitions con-
tracts had been made available tt
Army and Navy ofncials thus far