THE
2
STATE EMPLOYEE >
Volume 2
January and February, 1933
Number 1 and 2
Published by
W. F. McDonoucn,
The Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State of New York’
Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.
Officers
Cuester A, Lewrs,
Frank O. Baur,
President
Beutan Baney,
Vice-President
Wuuutam J. Prerce,
Recording Secretary Treasurer
Cuartes' J. Tosrn,
‘ounsel
Financial Secretary Jos. D. Locuner,
Business Manager
For God, and Home, and State
Liberality and brotherly love are coming into their own.
The great problem of woe and want is serving an important
social purpose by humanizing the visions and policies of
the peoples of the earth. No longer are “our ears so
close to the ground that we cannot hear the heartbeats.”
If here and there, the leaders of society falter in their,
recognition of the facts, it can at most only slightly delay
the final acceptance of the doctrine of mutual helpfulness
and brotherly love. it has
on so many previous occasions that selfishness imposes
hardships and unhappiness greater than those attaching to
any other human error,
Humanity is learning again as
Public servants have a call to stir themselves anew and
to keep ever before their eyes the sacred responsibility of
evolving a constantly higher standard of service. In this
period of widespread distress, the civil army of public work-
ers must respond to every demand for sacrifice and devotion
necessary to assure that the essential services of government
shall not lag, but that they shall fulfill in every way their
substantial part in safeguarding the home and the state
and in sustaining a right regard for the fundamental virtues
instilled in the hearts of mankind by Divine Providence.
YOUR ASSOCIATION
YOUR ASSOCIATION IS TODAY THE OUTSTAND-
ING STATE-EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED
STATES. IT EXEMPLIFIES THE REAL PURPOSES OF
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL EMPLOYEES, NAMELY, TO
IMPROVE THE CHARACTER AND EFFICIENCY OF
PUBLIC SERVICE, TO FOSTER A SPIRIT OF LOYALITY,
GOOD WILL AND CHEERFUL COOPERATION AMONG
ALL WHO SERVE IN PUBLIC LIFE, AND TO PROMOTE
AND PROTECT EMPLOYEE INTERESTS.
THIS IS THE ONLY STATE-WIDE ASSOCIATION
OF STATE EMPLOYEES IN NEW YORK STATE. IT
REPRESENTS ALL STATE EMPLOYEES IN WHATEVER
LINE OF STATE ENDEAVOR OR PART OF THE STATE
THEY MAY BE. ITS MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES DOC.
TORS, LAWYERS, ENGINEERS, INSPECTORS, CLERKS,
STENOGRAPHERS, TYPISTS, HOSPITAL WORKERS,
PRISON WORKERS, PARK WORKERS, FOREST FIRE
OBSERVERS, GAME PROTECTORS, HIGHWAY MAIN-
TENANCE WORKERS, CANAL WORKERS, AND EVERY
OTHER CLASS OF STATE EMPLOYEE.
THE ASSOCIATION IS NOW GOING FORWARD
10,000 STRONG. WE APPEAL TO YOU WHO ARE
NOW MEMBERS TO SEE TO IT, FOR THE WELFARE
OF ALL STATE EMPLOYEES, THAT ALL WHO ARE
NOT MEMBERS JOIN IN THIS EFFORT FOR 20,000
MEMBERS IN 1933. NEW YORK STATE WORKERS
CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT A SINGLE, UNITED,
STATE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION. THIS ASSOCI-
ATION HAS ALREADY BUILT UP A HIGHLY EFFICIENT
ORGANIZATION WITH HEADQUARTERS AT THE
SEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE CAPITOL AT
ALBANY. THE OFFICERS, COMMITTEES AND COUN.
SEL ARE CONTINUOUSLY ACTIVE IN REPRESENTING
EVERY STATE EMPLOYEE IN EVERY STATE EM-
PLOYEE MATTER. IT IS NOW SQUARELY UP TO THE
STATE EMPLOYEES EVERYWHERE TO GET BACK OF
THEIR OWN STATE ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT IT
BY MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN CARRY-
ING OUT ITS PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, A FAIR
COMPENSATION PLAN, SOUND RETIREMENT PRIV-
ILEGES, REASONABLE HOURS OF WORK, *AND EDU-
CATION AND RECREATIONAL HELPS.
2 THE STATE EMPLOYEE
THE BUDGET AND THE GOVERNOR’S PROGRAM
Every part of the world is at grips with hard times. Every
government of the world and every sub-division thereof is sur-
veying the future through anxious eyes.
Governor Lehman, accepting the challenge of business ad-
versity in this State, satisfied the most critical as to his full under-
standing of the business sidé of State government and put forward
a budget and plan for state financing that commands general re-
spect. It is not expected that he spoke the last word on taxes or
that everyone agrees with economies that curtail public work.
There is a large body of the thinking public that cannot get
away. from a strong faith in the principle that spending rather
than saving is the sound means for rehabilitating the economic
structure, There is another large body that believes that there
are very much more equitable ways of levying taxes than now
exist. There will always be a difference of opinion on these
large public questions, Governor Lehman is too much of a
ftatesman to close the door to any sound reform; rather will
he welcome aid to, the best solution of every problem no matter
where the help originates.
The reduction of the salaries of State workers as a part of
the policy of retrenchment was not unexpected. State employees,
through this Association, went as far in seeking to influence
against these reductions as it is ever proper for any citizen group
to,act in public affairs; that is, they collected all of the true
facts as to State salary relationships to all governmental opera-
tions, compared them with similar salary facts in other fields,
and presented a comprehensive statement to the Governor, the
Director of the Budget, the State Budget Advisory Committee,
andthe general public. “They used every possible argument to
prevent reduction. of already moderate levels. The executive
decision, to exempt all who receive less than $2,000 per annum
from the reduction relieves about seventy-five per cent of em-
ployees from reduced salaries and was a pleasing concession to
the appeals of employees against reductions of any kind.
Good public service depends upon an efficient, satisfied rank
and file ‘of workers, Executive, legislative and administrative
heads Of State government understand this. The civil service
employees have never yet failed to symbolize good, clean, honest
economical public service. They are especially intent in this
time of citizen distress to make every sacrifice to uphold the
high standard of efficiency in State service that now exists, and to
bend every effort to aid toward the maximum of economy,
“Governor Lehman enjoys the respect and confidence of
every worker in State service. The organized employees in this
Association have found him a willing counselor and friend in
every:employment problem presented to him, Never before in
the history of: the State has there existed on the part of execu-
tive, legislative and administrative leaders such a fine spirit of
cooperation ‘with a will to recognize the tremendous source for
good’ that ‘lies in the organized initiative and enterprize of the
thousands of professional and skilled employees comprised within
the civil service group. This group stands ready to suggest
many important avenues open to increased efficiency in public
functioning, and with the good will now established is in an ad-
mirable position to safeguard the interests of employees from
the unthinking and persistent attacks constantly directed against
the salaried groups.
MEN AND WOMEN IN THE STATE SERVICE
Insure Your Income From Further Reduction Thru Illness Or Accident
No Restrictions
$100 Monthly-$1000 Principal Sum - As Low As $2.50 Monthly
CALL FRANK J. McGARRY
District Manager
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY
Albany, N.Y.
WRITE
January and February
TRULY EFFECTIVE CIVIL SERVICE IMPOSSIBLE
WITHOUT THESE CHANGES IN LAW
Since the Legislature convened in January, there have been
a number of bills introduced relating to the civil service. Of
vital interest to employees is Senator Nunan’s Bill, Senate Intro-
ductory No. 726. This bill, in the preparation of which your
Association took an active part, makes it mandatory on the
Civil Service Commission to provide a classification plan, based
on duties and responsibilities, for that part of the classified serv-
ice of the State generally known as the department service.
A very large part of such a plan is in effect today. This bill
makes specific and mandatory, a hitherto general and discretion-
ary power of the Civil Service Commission, thus giving much
needed protection to employees.
At the -request of representatives of the institutional em-
ployees of the State, the bill specifically excludes them for the
time being, but provides that they may be brought in later upon
formal application of the proper institutional authorities to the
Civil Service Coommission. In a similar way, the bill specifically
excludes the employees of the civil divisions of the State, that
is, counties, cities, and villages.
Of primary importance to employees are the provisions of
this bill making it mandatory upon the Civil Service Commis-
sion to prepare and recommend to the Governor and the Leg-
islature, a uniform compensation plan to fit the classification.
Thus, direction is given to what should ultimately develop into
a sound, sensible, and equitable plan for the payment of salaries
by the State. With a good compensation and classification sys-
tem, provision is made for employees doing similar work to re-
ceive similar rates of pay, and what is more, employees will
know definitely what they can look forward to in the State serv-
ice in the way of advancement and increased earnings,
The bill provides for safeguarding the rights of the em-
ployee both as to his status at the time his position is classified
and as to the adjustment of his salary to the compensation plan
when it becomes effective, It definitely contemplates that when
the compensation plan takes effect, salaries of employees that
exceed the amount provided in the plan, shall not be reduced,
but shall continue at the rate last in effect. For other employees,
whose salaries are either below or within the scale of rates set
up, it provides for adjustments in favor of the employee. Of
course, any adjustments to meet any compensation plan at any
time, must be subject to appropriations made available by the
Legislature, This bill provides a fair and impartial plan upon
which such adjustments shall be made, when the necessary funds
are appropriated,
One other provision of this bill, which is of major interest
to the employees, is the establishment of a system of advisory
boards, representative of the employees within the several de-
partments, or within representative groups of related employ-
ments; and for central advisory boards representative of such
department and group advisory boards, to make recommenda-
tions to the Civil Service Commission and the Director of the
Budget upon matters involved in the administration of the Civil
Service Law and of the classification and compensation plans.
It is certain that the Civil Service Commission will make use
of this provision to a very considerable extent and it is expected
that the cooperation of these employee advisory boards will be
of great assistance in strengthening and further perfecting per-
sonnel administration of the classified State service.
The bill specifically provides that the Civil Service Com-
mission shall prepare class specifications for all classes of posi-
tions and revise such specifications for any class whenever
the Commission deems such revision to be warranted; the
Commission will fix educational and other requirements as it
has done in the past. This Association finds the Civil Service
Commission in-entire harmony with the principle so often enun-
ciated by the Association, namely, that, with the exception of
purely professional work, educational requirements shall not pre-
clude any citizen from proving his capacity for promotion to
higher duties within or for entry into the service, A perusal of
the current specifications for State positions shows plainly the
fair policy of the Commission in refusing to set up arbitrary
January and February
and unsound academic barriers to entry into State service or to
promotion therein. The provision in the bill for active em-
ployee representation in the counsels of the Commission will
serve to assure complete protection of this and all other protec-
tive features of civil service. The fears that the educational re-
quirements contained in the report of the Legislative Civil Serv-
ice Survey Committee might prevail are entirely overcome in
Senator Nunan’s bill.
Senator Nunan’s bill eliminates all of the features of last
year’s bill which were objectionable to and led to the veto of
Governor Roosevelt, and, as introduced, has the general approval
of the Civil Service Commission, the Civil Service Reform Asso-
ciation, the \Director of the State Budget, as well as the Leg-
islative Committee of your Association, This bill merits and
will have the hearty support of every friend of good civil serv-
ice. Even the boldest enemy of the civil service system will
hesitate to oppose such an honest, progressive, vitally necessary
piece of legislation as this,
STUDY YOUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM
F. B. Holmes, Director, State Retirement
It is noted that there have been introduced in both houses
of the Legislature, Senate Bill Intro. No. 32 and Assembly Bill
Intro. No, 16, a bill that would permit retirement at age fifty-
five, with one-sixtieth of one’s final average salary for each year
of service instead of one-seventieth. This bill, therefore, be-
comes a thirty year of service with age fifty-five bill.
Many who would support and advocate a fifty-five year re-
tirement doubtless have in mind the non-actuarially sound local
pension plans, where retirement is permitted at any age after
twenty or twenty-five years of service. These local plans are
very expensive and cost the municipality anywhere from fifteen
to twenty-five per cent of payroll, while the New York State
Employees’ Retirement System is operated at an average cost of
ten percent of payroll to both the municipality, including the
State, and the member.
All of these expensive local plans will eventually be taken
over by the New York State Employees’ Retirement System.
The Utica Fire Department, composed of 188 active firemen,
has recently adopted the Retirement System and all firemen of
that city are now participants in the state wide System. It camer
over to the state wide System simply for the reason that it
could not support itself and the city would not contribute twenty-
four per cent of payroll, This is indicative of what will happen
regarding all local plans.
As all of you know times are very hard now. The State
is at a loss to find enough income to pay its obligations. At this
time, when all retirement plans in the State are being fine-tooth-
combed by the taxpayer, it behooves all members of the State
wide Retirement System to safeguard their interests and refrain
from proposals which would add greatly to the cost.
The budget carries an item for the Retirement System this
year of $3,427,851.05. If all were to enjoy fifty-five year retire-
ment, that is, the total cost of same to be borne by the State,
this appropriation would have to be increased by at least thirty
THE STATE EMPLOYEE i
per cent of itself, which means that the State would ‘have to
appropriate at least an additional $1,000,040 to provide for fifty-
five year retirement.
Any member can himself see the reason for this if he. will
compare the rates of contribution for new entrants into the Re-
tirement System for fifty-five year retirement and for sixty year
retirement. For instance, at age twenty, Group 1, the rate for
sixty year retirement is .0429. For fifty-five year retirement, age
twenty, Group 1, the rate is .0944.
Every member of the Retirement System, of course, wants a
sufficient amount to be reserved in the System for him if and
when he should retire. The best way to accomplish this is to
see to it at all times there are no inroads made into the stability
of the system by special groups and that there are no special!
individual conditions taken care of.
NOTE: This Association has consistently supported the
principle of optional retirement at age 55, the State and the
employee to bear equal cost. This article was kindly prepared
by Mr. Holmes to give the exact facts as to costs, etc., of such
a policy.—President.
THE MAXIMUM EIGHT HOUR DAY
Senator Thomas E. Desmond, of Newburg, has not lost
faith in the abolition of the twelve hour and longer day service
in State work. His bills dealing with this subject include Senate
Introductory No. 168, which amends the State labor law and
applies to all State workers, and Senate Introductory No. 169,
which applies particularly to prison guards. Social and eco-
nomic justice require that the State of New York abolish the
long day from public service. There is no doubt but that the
lack of funds required to make possible the construction and
other changes incident to extending the shorter day to thousands
of institution workers will militate against the success of these
bills at this time. On the other hand, there is the apparent ad-
vantage in the proposal of giving opportunity for employment
to many hands.
A MONTH’S NOTICE IN CASE OF DISMISSAL
The serious reduction in appropriations for public construc-
tion has resulted in the unfortunate laying off of hundreds of
State civil service employees of the Department of Public Works.
Several conferences have been had by representatives of the As-
sociation with Colonel Greene relative to these dismissals and
also as to demotions in rank and pay of certain groups. Colonel
Greene and his staff have laid before the Association the facts
as to the disastrous effect upon employee retention in service
resulting from decreased appropriations amounting to almost forty
millions of dollars in two years. As in the case of the Governor,
administrative heads faced with the necessity of reducing their
force are saddened and distressed and are bending every effort
to make actual layoffs only when all other means of saving have
been exhausted.
Governor Lehman has ruled that at least a month’s notice
must be given every employee whose dismissal is occasioned by
depleted funds.
“The place you have always hoped to find”
AINSLIE HEWETT, Inc.
RESTAURANT -: TEA ROOM
184 STATE STREET
Telephone 3-9490
The Best of Food - Perfectly Prepared and Faultlessly Served
Muriel Ainslie Hewett, Dietitian
Breakfast - Luncheon - Afternoon Tea- Dinner
CENTRAL DAIRY
Grade “‘A”’ Jersey
Pasteurized Milk and Cream
Chocolate Milk
816-822
Telephone 8-2028 Livingston Avenue
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
Many bills of interest to civil service employees have bee:
troduced. Your Legislative Committee, Retirement Committee,
Officers and Counsel are studying all carefully. The following bills
have been approved by the association and others are still under
consideration, The weekly “Bulletin Board” bulletin sent to all
offices and institutions will deal wee
number,
Senate Intro. No, 726, Senator Nunan, provides needed
sirengthening of service law inclu ployee representa-
” Senate Intro. No. 452, Senator Kleinfeld, requiring U. S.
citizenship and residence in State two years for civil service ap-
point
Senate Intro. No. 34, Senator Crawford, providing term of
eligibility for reinstatement of persons on preferred shall be
four years from date separated from position in civil aioe
Senate Intro. No. 168 and 169, Senator Desmond, providing
maximum eight hour day in institutional service.
Senate Intro, No. 140, Senator Wald, one day rest in seven.
Assembly Intro. No. 15, Mr. Bernhardt, extends scope of
classes for reinstatement civil service employees separated from
service,
Assembly Intro. No. 16, Mr. Bungard, provides optional re-
tirement at 55 with State and employee bearing costs.
EXCELLENT WORK BY COUNSEL
The counsel for your Association, Hon, Charles J. Tobin,
rendered exceptional service to State workers in presenting fully
and clearly to the Governor, the Director of the Budget, and
the State Budget Advisory Committee the facts as to State
employment matters, the long neglect of State workers in the
matter of compensation, the need for maintaining adequate sala-
ries in the upbuilding of public ‘service, the justice of honest pro-
tection from demotion or dismissal of the faithful employees who
have frequently sacrificed much for their careers as public serv-
ants, and the social need for the safeguarding of the retirement
system. That he will aid still more successfully the employees
through appearances before the Legislature during the coming
session is certain. No man is better or more favorably known
in the State Capitol than Mr. Tobin.
COOPERATION WITH BUSINESS GROUPS
The recent action of the Albany Chamber of Commerce
(like that of the Poughkeepsie Chamber last winter), in setting
aside the recommendations of a sub-committee that had hastily
recommended salary reductions, is an indication of citizen pride
and good sense which appeals to State workers generally. The
matter of salaries paid to public workers is one for internal study
and action within the State government itself.
Now that everybody understands everybody else in the sal-
ary matter and the ill will which developed as a result of the
sub-committee action on salaries has been entirely ironed out,
let’s get back to the good old habit of spending our money among
our local merchants. Albany merchants have assured State em-
ployees that it was all a misunderstanding, and this Association
urges strongly that the spirit of cooperation between employees
and merchants be developed to the greatest possible extent.
There are no better stores or business establishments anywhere
in the world than there are in the Albany District. A number
of Albany merchants tell you of their goods in the columns of
THE STATE EMPLOYEE this month. Read them carefully
and patronize all home industry.
UNIVERSAL RADIO SERVICE
“GUARDIANS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT”
1219 CENTRAL AVENUE
ALBANY, N. Y.
Telephone 2-7911 Open Evenings
THE STATE EMPLOYEE
The New and Beautiful J. T. WEST ‘Mgr.
HOTEL LINCOLN
A44th-45th Streets, Eighth Avenue
NEW YORK CITY
“Just a Step from Broadway”
Those Who Know consider the LINCOLN
“Home" in New York, because here they find
a cheery welcome . . cleanliness . . courtesy
. . and MAXIMUM COMFORT --- at reasonable
rates:::
Single: $3.00 — $3.50 — $4.00
Double: $4.00 — $5.00 — $6.00
1400 Rooms 30 Stories of Sunshine
Every room with tub and shower bath, radio,
Servidor — every modern convenience.
Special Rates te State Employees
Steefel Brothers
ALBANY, N. Y.
Presenting the Newest Fashions
for
Men, ‘Boys, Girls and the
Junior Miss.
jo
The cordial relations which for almost
fifty years has existed between State
Employees and Steefel’s is some-
thing for which we are justly
proud and most appreciative.
It will be our constant aim
to continue same.
January and February
January and February
THIS ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED
OCTOBER 24, 1910
It is difficult for thinking men and women within and with-
out State service to understand the intentions of those who seek
to divide State employees into various groups. It is impossible
to appraise their actions or statements as anything other than
inspired by selfishness and self-seeking. This Association has no
quarrel with any individual or group. It exists solely to promote
good State service and to assure fair play for State employees.
Some recent statements as to the formation and history of the
Association have been entirely erroneous as the! following facts
will show.
This Association of State Civil Service Employees was or-
ganized on Monday, October 24, 1910. The report appearing in
the Albany Knickerbocker Press of October 30, 1910, which is
a part of the files of that paper, tells the facts as follows: “The
Association of New York State Civil Service Employees which
was formed on Monday night promises to be one of the strong-
est organizations in the State, When the subject was broached
several months ago as to the advisability of forming State civil
service employees into an association, the question was raised as
to who could be relied upon to take the initial steps to perform
the arduous task of developing the plan and perfecting the de-
tails of its consummation. The question was finally answered
by the selection of William M, Thomas. Those who were at
first reluctant to join now admit its advantage. Undeniably the
gratitude of every member should be expressed to Mr. Thomas
whose experience in matters of organization did so much to pilot
the hesitating craft into placid waters. Mr. Thomas has been
chief stenographer in the department of the attorney general for
28 years.”
The Association was for a time known as Capital City Coun-
cil 98, Civil Service Association of the State of New York. The
fundamental reason for these State employees severing connec-
tions with the Civil Service Association of the State of New York,
composed principally of city and county workers, was the one
that now governs in maintaining the Association of State Civil
Service Employees of the State of New York as an all-State em-
ployee organization, namely, the very obvious needs of State
employees for a united stand upon all State service matters, and
the clearly understood fact that it is wholly impracticable for
State employees to become involved in the purely local prob-
lems, political and otherwise, of the hundred or so city and county
groups of employees spread throughout the State. The Associa-
tion is in no way unsympathetic or unfriendly toward these
groups. It stands ready and willing to help them with their prob-
lems in every consistent way. It sees every possible reason for
standing strictly as a strong, united all-State employee body, de-
voted first of all to State employee matters. It would be nothing
short of ridiculous for State employees, with their own peculiar
problems which are all handled exclusively by the executive,
legislative and administrative heads of State government, to mix,
their interests with the countless troubles and ambitions of the
approximately one hundred civil subdivisions of the State.
The following members of the Salary Committee active in
1921, whose names appeared on the circular prepared by them in
defense of higher salaries, are still members of this Association
and will gladly inform any person so desiring, of the facts as to
association history and activities:
Dr, Horatio M. Pollock, now a member of the General
Committee and William E. Hannan, a member of the Educa-
tion Committee of this Association. Both are very active in
Association councils. Mr. Thomas, the first secretary, was ac-
tively associated with the Association up to his death last April.
We are proud of our State Employee Association and of its
history and achievements. The more we know of it the more
we understand the present ten thousand membership.
THE STATE EMPLOYEE
ARRY SIMMON
“Dependable Furniture Since 1865"
84 NO. PEARL ST., ALBANY 219 RIVER ST., TROY
“Old enough to be reliable”
“Young enough to be progressive”
a
——
Many unusual values are
being offered in all Depart-
ments this month.
See the new TUNE-IN
TABLES, Radios that har-
monize with your furniture.
$59.50 up.
Don’t fail to see the new
Imperial 30th Anniversary
Tables at $9.75.
LOOKING AHEAD
Curtailment of public activities can at most be only tempo-
rary. No student of economic affairs disregards the growing cer-
tainty that there are many things important to social welfare
which the people themselves can do as well or better than pri-
vate groups. The old bugaboo that waste and extravagance is
necessarily a part of governmental functioning, and that wise
planning and thrifty accomplishment go hand in hand with pri-
vate enterprise has been thoroughly dissipated by the disgrace-
ful pillaging of the people and the virtual wrecking of economic
faith by countless business groups occupying high place in the
business world.
Whenever the people decide seriously to take over additional
essential social services and public utilities as a means of enjoy-
ing to a greater extent the necessities and conveniences which
have accumulated throughout the years, and which are bound to
be added to in the years to come, they will lay aside tradition
and fear and begin doing much of the work that is now done by
private groups. When they do this successfully, however, they
will have reached the stage where they will hold their public
servants in greater respect than they now do, and will insist
that all such shall be selected and directed under a wise system
such as is possible in a properly developed civil service system.
There need be no waste in public operation of any utility or
other constructive work, if there is a right regard for moral and
business relationships between the people and their servants.
This Association urges again, as it has so often in the past,
that civil service employees give the gravest of thought to self
improvement, mental and physical, not only for their present
work but for the opportunities of the future. Can you do any-
thing better than live more abundantly through greater knowledge
and appreciation of the fine and worthwhile things of life, and
are you giving yourself a fair chance through wise utilization
of the thousands of avenues for social and economic improvement
open to you? The Association’s Committee on Education will
be glad to help you by wise planning,
VETERAN PREFEERENCE IN CIVIL SERVICE
As a veteran and as President of this Association, the writer
is wholly opposed to any and all‘legislation which seeks undue
recognition for veterans or others in public service. Disabled
and other veterans should receive every proper honor and re-
spect for their especial service to their Country. They should not,
and I am sure do not, support any legislation which would make
them the recipients of more than fair recognition in the system
of recruiting public servants, The State service should always
be open to all citizens of the State. If the service is to be fille?
with veterans simply because they are veterans, the boy and girl
who has come of age since the close of the war will be discrimi-
nated against in obtaining public work. No such selfish demand
will ever come in time of peace from unselfish men who braved
all in honor and love of country in time of war. Veteran organ-
izations should take the initiative in opposing suggestions along
this line that may be made by overzealous buddies on behalf of
veterans,
ASSOCIATION BROADCASTS
The WGY Broadcasting Station is rendering a splendid serv-
ice to the people of the State, and a fine courtesy to your Asso-
ciation, by according the privilege of reviewing the facts as to
the State civil service system cach Wednesday at 1:40 P. M.
The Association is endeavoring to show the value of the m:
tenance of a body of public servants free from political or other
interference and the need for citizen attention to assure that
civil service reform shall continue to develope to the point where
respect for public service and public servants will rest upon a
true understanding of the important and difficult work involved.
Civil service employees have an especially good opportunity
at this time to impress citizens favorably as to their govern-
ment through attention to every possible economy and wise prac-
tice, and by their industry and cheerful attitude in their daily
work and contacts with the people of the State who employ
them,
Call the attention of your friends to these broadcasts and
listen in when you can,
PATRONIZE YOUR PATRONS
In another column of this issue we have called attention to
the desirability of trading with your local merchants. We wish
to call your especial attention to the advertisers in THE STATE
EMPLOYEE. This magazine is presented to business people
solely upon its merits as an advertising medium. It is helpful
to the Association to have this advertising as a means of paying
at least a part of the cost of printing the magazine. We will not,
however, accept any complimentary advertising, because we be-
lieve that the circulation is sufficient to make advertising in our
columns worth while on a strictly economic basis.
Will you not, beginning with this issue, tell the advertiser
whose advertisement appears in THE STATE EMPLOYEE that
you noted his advertisement and that you are glad to patronize
him because of his apparent interest in serving State employees?
This will help tremendously in an honest and proper way to build
up the known advertising value of the magazine and make it
even more useful to merchants and others.
THE STATE EMPLOYEE
January and February
For Real Economy and greatest
Food Value, use
BOULEVARD
MILK
BOULEVARD CREAM - BOULEVARD BUTTER
BOULEVARD BUTTERMILK
Old Fashioned Whole Milk Cottage Cheese
DISTRIBUTORS OF GENUINE GOLDEN GUERNSEY MILK
BOULEVARD DAIRY CO., INC.
Phone 4-4158
WE INVITE YOUR BUSINESS
National Commerial Bank
and Crust Company
of Albany, N.Y.
Chartered 1825
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
A splendid start has been made in developing worthwhile
recreational activities among the thousands of State workers in
Albany. This work was begun by the Association in cooperation
with the City Board of Education, Physical Culture Division,
and hundreds of State employees have joined one or more of
the twenty-five activities planned by that body.
An eight team basketball league has been playing each weck
all season. Horseback riding, swimming, and bowling classes
have also been inaugurated with pleasure and health advantage
to those taking part.
Efforts will be made to secure even greater cooperation of
the various executive and administrative heads to the end that
healthful sports and activities may be fostered from the stand-
point of increased physical well-being of the workers.
THE ASSOCIATION’S SUMMER CAMP
Advice received by the Camp Committee gives hope that the
camp for State employees conducted last summer at Lake
Meacham under the auspices of the Association, will be possible
again this year, and with increased facilities.
Full details will be circulated among employees when final
arrangements have been completed.
THIS TICKET ENTITLES YOU TO ONE
Free Lesson at The Winn School
Where Popular!Music is Guaranteed in 20 lessons on the
Piano...Banjo...Guitar...Saxophone...Accordian, etc.
Rates as Low as $1.00 per Lesson
Albany, N. Y. over 17 years. Open Evenings.
For Popular Music in 20 lessons, THE WINN SCHOOL has kept it’s promise at 3922 CLINTON AVENUE,
FREE THE WINN SCHOOL OFFERS EACH
PUPIL a Beautiful Hawaiian or Spanish
Guitar, Banjo or Mandolin and positively Guarantees You
will be able to play any song by note.
Phone 3-3546
