Evening star., 1946-09-17
AFGE
Continued From First Page.)

Service Commission that they
weren't subversive.
Mr.. Mitchell emphasized his be-
lief that persons who are dis
loyal to the American Government
should not be allowed to have a
part in that Government" and
promised that the commission will
endeavor to keep them out, in ac-
cordance with law, as it has in the
past"
He expressed his opposition, how
ever, to reopening of cases where
Federal employees already have sat
isf1ed the commission as to their
loyalty. The commission chief also
took occasion to take a verbal slap
at B. Carroll Reece, chairman of
the Republican National Commit
tee. for the latter's statement re-
Gently that the Republican party's
platform calls for the dismissal of
1000, 900 Federal employees.
While not mentioning Mr.. Reece
by name. Mr.. Mitchell made it
clear that the Republican national
chairman was the person he had in
mind.
Il would advise any one inter-
ested not to take such promises or
threats seriously" Mr. Mitchell de-
clared. Admittedly, there should
be no more employees on the Gov
ernment payroll than are needed
and perhaps during the exigencies
OF the war period there were"
Mr.. Mitchell asserted, however,
that mo good purpose is served by
publicly made statements to the
effect that the Government payroll
is going to be reduced by 1000 900
persons. Any one who has knowl-
edge of Government affairs knows
that it cannot be done, and will not
be done"
Proposal Called Impossible.
A cut OF, 2.0O0. 900 employees would
leave the country with virtually no
Government, Mr.. Mitchell declared.
If this number were fired, enough
employees would be left to run the
Post Once Department. the Veter-
ans Administration and the Treas
ury Department, Mr.. Mitchell
asserted.
"All the other departments would
have to go out of business" he said
We would have no War or Navy
Department. no State Department,
no Labor Department, no Interior
Department, no Social Security, no
Railroad Retirement Board, no Sc
curities and Exchange Commission:
and, of course, no Civil Service Com
mission or civil service retirement
system"
Hatch Act Change Urged.
The civil service chief also re-
iterated his stand that the Hatch
Act prohibiting political ACTIVITY by
Federal employees should be amend
ed so as to give the Civil Service
Commission discretion in assessing
penalties for violations. At present
there is only one penalty-dismissal
from the service.
Green and Randolph to Speak.
In addition to Mr.. Green, Chair
man Randolph of the House Civil
Service Committee is scheduled
to address the convention this
afternoon. The AFGE will hold a
banquet and dance tonight.
The various policy committees are
expected to bring more than 100
resolutions to the convention floor
late today or tomorrow. Most i'm
portant policy matters are those
calling for wage raises for Federal
employees, liberalization of the re-
tirement system, and overhauling of
the Federal promotion system.
President James B. Burns is ex-
pected to be reelected to another
Itwo-year term, although there may
be some scattered opposition.
Tomorrow Mr.. Mitchell's COL
league, Civil Service Commissioner
Arthur S. Flemming. and STANLEY
J. Tracy, assistant director of the
FBI, are scheduled to address the
convention.