Evening star., 1947-03-30
Board Will Plan
IL. ). Efficiency
Rating Changes
Senate Group Takes
First Step in Move
To Improve Setup
By Joseph Young


rating system, which largely de-
termines the job advancement
opportunities and even the job
retention chances of Federal en-
ployes, last night appeared due
for it's first major improvements
in more than 10 years.
Civil Service Commission officials,
as well as top agency heads and
leaders of the various Federal en-
ploye union groups, agreed at
special hearing held yesterday by
the Senate Civil Service Committee
that some drastic changes were
needed in the present grading sys-
tenn
During the last 10 years many
Federal employees have complained
bitterly over their efficiency ratings,
Appeals had been made to Congress
to look into the situation, but until
yesterday nothing was done.
To facilitate action, George D.
Riley, committee staff director, last
night appointed special advisory
board to draft report recommend.
ing desired changed in the present
system. The board, which also will
serve in an advisory capacity to the
committee in all Government per-
sonnel matters, consists of top off,
cials of Government agencies, Fed
eral employees unions, and the vari.
Gus veterans organizations.
Senator Langer Orders Study.
Chairman LANCER of the Senate
Civil Service Committee authorized
his staff to investigate the efficiency
rating systems and report it's find-
ings to the committee for appro-
pirate action. Mr.. Riley said he
will transmit the boards recon-
to the committee as soon
as the report is completed.
During yesterdays session, Civil
Service Commissioner Arthur S.
Flemming declared that Federal
employees are in danger of becom-
ing the victims of slipshod and
discriminatory efficiency ratings"
resulting from serious defects in
the Governments present rating
system. The other witnesses agreed
that improvements were needed, but
disagreed on how this can be ac-
complished.
The advisory board consists of
men with sharply divergent opin-
ions on the subject, but Federal
officials expressed the belief that
a constructive program can be
worked out.
John A. Overholt, chief of the
Civil Service Commissions efficiency
rating section, is chairman Of the
board. Drexel Knight, an official
OF the Maritime commission, is ex.
ecutive secretary.
Other Members Announced.
Other members are: A. H. Ont.
hank, War Department.; Hugh H.
Clegg, Federal Bureau of Investiga.
ton; Joseph A. Jordan, Treasury
Comdr. Edward D. Kill
llan, Navy Department; Harry A,
Donovan, Agriculture. Department:
Donald, c. Stone, Budget Bureau:
Henry Hubbard and Parmely C.
Daniels of the Federal Personnel
Council; Gustave c. Hertz, Veterans
Administration; James B. Burns.
American Federation of Government
Employees, AFL, and Donald Murray,
United Public Workers of America,
CIO.
Also, Luther c. Steward, National
Federation of Federal Employees; Roy
E. Ballinger, General Accounting
ONCE; Rosel H. Hyde, Federal Com
nunications Commission; William c.
Qoherty, National Association of Let.
ter Carriers; Millard Rice, Disabled
Veterans; Robert E. Nc
Laughlin, Amvets: Francis M. Sulli-
van, American Legion, and Omar
ketchum, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
MI. Doherty, who also is vice
chairman of the AFL Government
Council, asked Congress
IN his testimony yesterday to throw
the whole system out the window
so that we can start from scratch"
He called for a constructive
labor management program" as2
serting that you cannot standardize
human beings-every person Is
different"
Suggests Grades Be Dropped.
Mr.. Murray. representing UPWA,
said he was inclined to agree with
Mr.. Doherty. He said it might be
a good idea to grade an employe
only as being satisfactory" or "un-
satisfactory" The present system
has five grades-unsatisfactory,
fair, good, very good and excellent.
Most Government officials testify
(See CIVIL SERVICE, Page A-5.)
; Senators Reassure