Evening star., 1952-08-28
By Joseph Young
Siar StaH Correspondent

r. 021 X4e1A&NhSAN&<0s mug. 60.--
Enlargement Of the Civil Service
Commissions classification divi-
sion to permit speedier and more
effective action on Federal en-
|ploye promotions and salary grade
adjustments was asked today by
the 18th biennial convention of
the AFL American Federation of
Government Employees.
The convention requested that
the Budget Bureau and the new
Congress take prompt steps to pro-
vide adequate funds for expanding
the classification division, which
has the responsibility of determin-
ing the grades and salaries of all
Federal workers.
The conventions resolution urg-
ing such a move declared that the
classification units present lin
|ited staff and facilities fall far
short of handling the thousands Of
cases submitted to it by the Gov
|ernment's departments and agen-
Icies.
Would Lift Ceiling.
The AFGE also asked that Con-
Igress remove the present ceiling
on the number Of Grade Is, II and
10 jobs IN Government ($11, 200 to
$14, 800 o year,, and that as many
of these positions be. allowed as is
warranted.
The delegates also asked Con-
gress to permit agencies to make
initial appointments at pay steps
above the minimum rate of a
grade. ,
The convention was expected to
adopt a resolution later today
asking for a general pay raise
for Government employees. James
"A. Campbell, the AFGE president
earlier this week, told the dele.
gates q pay increase els abso.
lutely essential in view Of cost oi
living conditions"
Another resolution adopted BY
1.-THE convention today urged thai
Ia transfer unit be established IL
the Civil Service Commission t.
aid jobless career workers to fine
other Federal employment, a!
well as to aid other career en-
lployes who wish to use their tai.
ents in other Federal bureaus.
Suggestion Program.
In another action, the AFGE
voted to make it's own effort tt
achieve greater economy and ef'
flciency in Government.
Under the program. the AFGF
will set up an interdepartmenta
committee composed of employe
representatives Of each depart
ment and agency in the Govern.
ment. Employees will be invited te
submit proposals for achieving
greater economy and efficiency ir
their agencies. Meritorious pro-
posals will be forwarded by the
committee to the department OF
agency involved, as well as to the
Budget Bureau and Congress.
Thomas O'Malley. an AFGE
delegate from Chicago, who spon-
sored the plan, said it will not
attempt to interfere with regular
Government employe suggestion
programs.
Mr.. O'Malley said, however, this
program will be more effective III
many respects, since employees
submitting their suggestions can
retain their anonymity if they SO
desired. In too many instances
now, employees are afraid to SUBJ
NIT economy mad efficiency sug-
gestions because they fear re-
prisals from their supervisors and
NIT economy and efficiency sug-
gestions they feel cast reflection
on their administrative ability,
Mr.. O'Malley said.
| During yesterdays session, the
convention heard messages from
Gov. Stevenson and Gen. Eisen-
hover, highly praising the work
of Federal employees and express
ing concern over their welfare.
Gen. Eisenhower said: "Loyal
civilian workers in the Govern
ment have. by their accomplish.
ments in peace and war, earned
/ the admiration of us all. Fully
aware that good government i:
dependent upon efficiency anc
loyalty of public servants. theil
welfare is of the utmost concern
to me-"
Gov. Stevenson declared that
from his own personal experience
lin Government during the 1880.
land during the last war, he know.
that ::'the overwhelming majority
of Government workers are loya
and devoted public servants" The
democratic presidential candidate