Evening star., 1951-04-18

i've Dfancn. o. joseph Young.
Mr.. Yates said the situation was
not the fault Of the Civil Service
Commission. Il have not encoun-
tered a single individual in the
commission who has not ap-
preached the problem with the
attitude of helpfulness and they
have helped US great DEAL" Mr..
Yates declared.
The GAO official declared that,
in addition to review procedures
given employees whose agencies
seek to fire them on ineficiency
grounds, the Veterans Preference
Act makes the firing of veterans
in Government even harder.
Congress. in its wisdom. has
said all veterans must be set aside
in what amounts to . sanctum
santorum," Mr.. Yates commented.
Chairman Thomas agreed with
Mr.. Yates. He paid high tribute to
the three civil service commits
sioners-Robert Ramspeck. James
Mitchell and Frances Perkins, de-
claring II don't think there are
finer people any place.
"They have a law to administer
and if there are any defects, it is
not defects in the commission. It
Is in the law" Mr.. Thomas de-
clared.
Mr.. Yates said the present law
protects individual employees much
more than it protects an Office that
is trying to do a job, through
the numerous and time consuming
appeals given employees.
II tell you, Mr.. Chairman, that
a Government operator cannot get
rid of an inefficient employe quick
ly or even fairly promptly" Mr..
Yates declared.
Can he get rid of them at alp"
asked Representative Andrews,
Democrat. of Alabama.
sometimes. no." replied Mr..
Yates. IF he happens to be a
veteran. because he has certain
appeals to which he may resort
as a matter of right before the
commission. II the commission
disagrees with the determination
OF the. Office. it may overrule us.
Furthermore, and particularly if
he happens to be a veteran, he
may exercise his rights Of appeal
one after the other, so as to drag
out his separation for many
months"
Another witness, Budget Direc-
tor Frederick Lawton said agency
heads can get rid of inefficient
|employes II they take the heat
that is necessary in eliminating
personnel" While noting the
Veterans Preference Act and the
pressure to which agencies some
times are subjected by veterans
groups and employe unions in
these cases, Mr.. Lawton said that
agency officials can get rid of un-
desirable employees "if they want
Ito do It,"
RATINGS-When the new per-
|formance rating grades are issued
by the Government soon more
than 95 per cent Of the employees
are expected to receive "satis-
factory" ratings. The other S per
cent or less either will receive
outstanding" Or unsatisfactory"
grades.
For purposes of morale. it will
be bit disconcerting to employees,
who under the Old system received
excellent" ratings, to only re-
ceive a satisfactory" grade. But
in discarding the old system last
year, Congress insisted that "out-
standing" ratings be given only
in extraordinary cases. Outside of
the possible morale angle, the new
program will not affect employees
chances for promotion and ad-
lvancement in Government. If an
|employe has very good record,
that will be noted in his files along
with the satisfactory" rating.
~
I GREETING-The time off given
iGovernment employees tomorrow
AFTERNOON to welcome Gen. Mac
lArthut will not be deducted from
their annual leave.
e X
WELL DONE-The recently
concluded series of Army band
concerts for Government en-
WI - =