Evening star., 1948-06-17

lngS and leave his once.
The committee reports that its
investigation SO far shows that the
real reason for these disability
dismissalS is that the officials in
charge want to get rid of these
employees for personal reasons.
The employees thus retired are
entitled to a disability pension, but
this pension is only a small frac-
ton of their salary. and they say
they can't possibly live on it.
Y
ARMY INVOLVED - Committee
investigators report a typical case
in which a woman employe, in ap-
parent good health, was informed
she was being retired from the
Army Department because of dis
ability. The woman went to her
physician, who confirmed her good
health and SO notified Army off,
cials.
When the committees investi-
gators entered the case, they dis
covered the Army had placed in
her record file a mental disability
certifcation as the reason for her
dismissal. Committee investigators
say they are convinced that "she is
as sane as the next. person and
there is absolutely no reason why
she should be retired for mental
disability"
In this type of case the employe
not only is unfairly removed from
his job, but prevented from getting
employment in private industry be-
cause of the disability" stigma,
committee investigators point out.
And the mental disability tag
is even worse so far as the en-
ploye's chance of future employ
ment is concerned.
The investigation is proceeding
under the direction of Chairman
Rees and is being handled by
George M. Moore, the committees S
counsel, one of the ablest legisla-
tive employees on Capitol Hill
The Civil Service Commission
also would do well to investigate
these charges. If the accusations
are found to be true, and if they
are permitted to continue. it would
be a serious miscarriage of justice
to the employees involved and a
serious setback to the merit system
BENEFIT-Insiders on the Hoover
12-man Commission to Study Re
organization of the Government say
its recommendation not only will
result in improved Federal efficiency,
but in better working conditions for
Government employees as well
Headed by former President
Hoover, the commission will make
its recommendations to Congress
some time in January.
A special subcommittee is en-
gagged in studying civil service prob
lens and working conditions in the
Government Many changes in Gov
ernment personnel procedures to
give Federal workers better break
and to improve the merit system are
to be recommended.
For one thing, more adequate pro-
motional opportunities for capable
Federal workers are expected to be
worked out, along with plans to
create true merit system in Gov
ernment by working out program
whereby deserving career employees
would be appointed to the top
policy-making jobs in Government.
Higher salaries for top Federal
officials, along with complete over
hauling of the Federal Classification
Act pay structure, also are expected
to be recommended by the Hoover
commission.
SECURITY-An objection by Rep
resentative Marcantonio, American
Laborite, of New York blocked pas
sage on the House consent calendar
of the bill to give the Government
military agencies the authority tC
get rid of employees who are in
discreet" or otherwise bad security
risks.
Already approved by the Senate,
the bill would give permanent au-
thority to the agencies to imme-
diately dismiss these workers. Al
present the agencies have this pow
er only on a temporary basis. The
measure also would give the Presi-
dent the authority to extend this