The State Employee, 1934 December

STATE EMPLOYEE

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Association Activities --- 1935

ww
1. Strengthen Civil Service Law and Administration.

2. Secure Establishment of Adequate and Fair
Salary Scales with Security of Employment.

3. Shorter Hours of Work in Institutions.

4. Safeguard Employees’ Retirement System.

5. Study and Support Sound Unemployment Insur-
ance Plans.

6. Promote Educational Plans for State Workers for
Greater Efficiency and as Aids to Promotion.

7. Continuous Attention to Welfare of State Workers
and Salaried Employees Everywhere.

8. Complete Unity of State Workers in this State-
wide Association.

\ LLL

DECEMBER, 1934 10 Cents per Copy VOL. 3 Number 10

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THE STATE EMPLOYEE is pub-
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Publication office 2 Norton St. Albany,
N. Y. Editorial and executive offices,
Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. ¥.
ingle copy, $1.00 per year. En-
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1934, at the Post Office at Albany, N.
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Letters to the Editor, contributions,
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PLOYEE upon payment of member-
ship dues,

THE STATE

=a

EMPLOYEE

Official Publication of
‘The Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State of New York
Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.

Editor, Brutan Barry
Business Manager, Josern D, Locunex

OFFICERS

Brora Bagtey, President, WF, MeDonouon, Seretary. 5

RANK L, ToLMan, Vice President ie joserix D. Locunen, a

Faanx O, Bavzn, ‘Treasurer eine lait eta!
VOL. 3. DECEMBER, 1934 NO. 10.

Association Activities
1935
Beulah Bailey, President

The interest of the civil serv-
ice employees serving the State
in New York City is identical
with the interest of the employee
serving the State in Buffalo, Al-
bany, Rochester or any of the
State institutions or schools. It is
true that in the institutions they
do have special interests peculiar
to that type of work, but in the
broad principle our interests are

one. Ours is not an association
peculiar to New York City or to
“up state’. It is an Association

whose one and only purpose is to
serve civil service employees of
the State of New York.

We must never look upon the
Association as an “Albany Asso-
“ciation”. Last year out of the
eleven thousand members less
than three thousand were residents
of Albany. I wonder if we real-
ize that there are more State em-
ployees living outside of Albany
and the Capitol District than there
are in Albany, As Albany is the
Capital of the State and the ex-
ecutive center for all State de-
partments, so it must be the ex-
ecutive center for our Association,

The Association during the last
five years has grown so rapidly
from a small semi-social organiza-
tion to its present size and its
present program that possibly the
framework for elective representa-
tion of the various groups, in the
central group has been neglected.
This year we are going to have

more complete representation.
As we are state-wide in our in-
Continued on Page 5

The Shorter Day
Makes Gains

The Legislative Committee
headed by Senator Michael J. Ker-
nan of Utica and Assemblyman
Harold C. Ostertag of Attica,
heeding one of the provisions of
the Legislative Resolution, made
a preliminary report to the Gov-
ernor in October. The purpose
of this part of the resolution was
to supply to the Governor at this
time of year when budget and
revenue plans are being perfected,
an opportunity to survey the facts
as to needs of the hospital, prison
and welfare institutions with ref-
erence to the plan to revise pres-
ent personal service requirements
to provide for the abolition of the
twelve hour day.

The report, while indicating that
the work not being finished no
final determination could be made
at this time, indicates that the
Committee is impressed with the
economic and social soundness of
the proposals of this Association
as urged throughout many years,
and gives hope that the final re-
port which will go to the Legis-
lature on February first will ad-
vise and urge definite planning for
employee conditions in State in-
stitutions which will eliminate the
long day, provide adequate salary
adjustments, proper sick and other
leaves, and eventually lead to a
home planning program that will
afford to workers in institutions
the natural opportunities which
should properly be available to all
citizens of this country for their
social and economic welfare. The
following constitutes the main

Continued on Page 9

Adequate Salaries

This Association has consist-
ently sought to have a compensa-
tion plan adopted in this State
which would be based upon just
consideration of the duties and re-
sponsibilities of each position,
with minimum scales that would
make it possible for a young man
entering the State service to take
upon himself the support of a
home and a family with all of the
honor and respect which goes with
this only sound and proper means
of maintaining a moral and a pro-
gressive society. It will continue
to work vigorously for this.

From the inception of its activi-
ties following the reorganization
in October, 1929, it has sought to
have especial attention accorded to
the low paid workers on the
ground that they must receive
such return for their work that
they might be able to maintain
decent standards of living. All of
the principles of the merit system
favor the selection of the most effi-
cient citizens and this implies that
there shall be a minimum of pub-
lic employees, that they shall
render the maximum of good serv-
ice, and that their compensation
and employment conditions will be
on a relatively high plane.

That the Association has found
favor for low paid workers to at
least a limited extent—and even
a remarkable degree for this pe-
riod—is evident in the increase ob-
tained for workers in the competi-
tive class receiving less than
$1,800 in the year 1932 which total
of $250,000 increase has been car-
ried on each year since that time.
In addition to this there were the

Continued on Page 14
THE STATE EMPLOYEE

December

Onward To Better Things

Continuation from November Issue of Report of the Retiring President, W. F. McDonough,

Without criticism of any person
or group in the discussion as to
why civil service administration is
so often the object of honest
questioning or why certain prac-
tices prevail or do not prevail, and
only with the purpose of helping
to bring about improvement and,
increased respect for the civil
service system, I wish to point out
that I believe our present civil
service functioning in this State
could be improved greatly in the
following matters:

1. The civil service department
is in need of laws or rules which
will provide for classification of
all positions upon a sound basis
as to duties and responsibilities
with due flexibility and due re-
gard for employee protection in
his chosen line of work. And no
classification system that does not
provide for a tribunal where em-
ployees will have equal voice with
appointing officers in shaping pol-
icies and in dealing with individual
or group cases, is sound or con-
ducive to the maintenance of
good morale.

It must be clear to all thought-
ful persons that the State should
have a sound compensation plan
which will assure adequate pay
for the work performed. The
Civil Service Department and the
Division of the Budget should
have a well coordinated, function-
ing agency to deal with rates of
pay and increments so as to fair-
ly reward industry, initiative and
faithful service,

2. By civil service rule and there-
fore by direction of the Governor,
there should be constant and effi-
cient contact between the civil
service commission and appoint-
ing officers as to present and ap-
parent positions to the end that
fair play and progressive civil
service principles would apply in
all appointments, promotions, effi-
ciency ratings, hours of work,
sick leaves, vacations, and every
employment matter. By what
stretch of the imagination can the
employment agency of the State

at Annual Meeting, October 2, 1934

disregard any one of these matters
and do justice to real personnel
administration? The Civil Serv-
ice Department is apparently not
manned sufficiently to meet these
problems adequately at the present
time.

3. The Civil Service Department
should control completely under
proper rules all appointments to
State service. There is no place
in honest personnel management
for provisional appointments ex-
cept where the appointees are se-
lected by the Civil Service De-
partment. As the employment
agency of the State, responsible
under the basic law of the State
to select and supply the personnel
for State service, the Civil Service
Department fails to function when
it permits appointments to be
made without tests or qualifica-
tions of a kind over which it has
adequate supervision. When pro-
visional appointments are approved
by the Civil Service Department,
the fact of equal opportunity to
qualify which is the right of every
citizen is denied and a constitution-
al right becomes inoperative. With
adequate rules and personnel, every
need of State service could be
anticipated and provided for better
through the Civil Service Depart-
ment than in any other way and
without violence to the fundament-
al rights resting in the civil service
system. The Civil Service Depart-
ment cannot rightfully delegate to
anyone its responsibility to select
civil service employees. If civil
service is to endure, the Civil Serv-
ice Department cannot lend itself
longer to provisional appointments
under the present day policy.

4. Any system of selection that
places written tests above other
evidences of character and fitness
and general merit, such as training,
experience and successful accomp-
lishment, is unsound and does not
serve the best interests of State
service. In other words, to fail to
consider a candidate's qualifications
because he or she fails to attain a
certain mark in an examination
where written tests may be of

questionable adequacy, is to de-
prive the State service of some of
the most successful and efficient
workers available, and this a merit
and efficiency system cannot con-
sistently do. There is obviously
a need for changes along progres-
sive and practical lines in the
present system of selection for ap-
pointments and promotions. There
is no grave danger of unfairly
limiting competition, nor is their
need for anxiety as to political or
other abuse, in any system of se-
lection that opens every possible
door and window to opportunity
for appraising the qualifications of
citizens seeking to serve the State.

5. Along with improvement in
selection it should be possible to
bring about a change in the present
practice which permits the passing
over of those who attain to high
places on civil service lists. What
other possible explanation for this
is there except that the system of
selection is exceedingly fallible?
‘We may well understand that rat-
ings will never do perfect justice
to all applicants and there is a de-
gree of flexibility that is desirable.
Where the best possible system of
selection is employed, every pass-
ing over of certified candidates.
should be the subject of investiga-
tion by the Civil Service Commis-
sion itself, and the candidate should
be heard fully and completely and
advised as to the reasons for fail-
ure to obtain the appointment lost
to another lower on the list,

6. The delays in providing eligi-
ble lists, and the failure to estab-
lish new lists in the case of those
which are more than two or three
years old, has brought seemingly
just criticism of the State Civil
Service Department. This condi-
tion is brought about by lack of
financial means on the part of the
Department and by reason of the
policy of extending established
lists beyond reasonable lengths.
Four years is too long, in my
opinion, to continue any list, It
is always the case with such lists

Continued on Page 12
December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

bi

Civil Service Security

It has been suggested in Penn-
sylvania that the Republican Leg-
islature which expires December
Ist, call a special session to enact
a civil service law to protect the
thousands of Republican State
Employees. The Republicans
have been in power for forty
years in Pennsylvania, During
that time there was no interest
shown by the party in power in
civil service for State employees.
In fact all proposals of such a
nature were fought. Now the em-
ployees without the safeguard of
civil service are facing a very
critical situation as after January
Ist, the Democrats will be in
power in Pennsylvania.

It is situations like this which
should make us here in New
York State appreciate what civil
service means to us. We are even
more fortunate in our status than
the Federal employee as ours is a
constitutional right and the Fed-
eral employees’ is only statutory.

As we go to press we are glad
to hear that the Division of Milk
Control in the Department of
Agriculture and Markets have
withdrawn their appeal to Su-
preme Court from the opinion of
Attorney General Bennett which
maintained that the personnel of
the Division of Milk Control
should be supplied from eligible
civil service lists established by
competitive examination,

‘The Association appreciates the
way the Attorney General has
stood firmly for the principle of
civil service not only in this par-
ticular but in all cases. A favor-
able court decision in this case
would it seems have been certain
had the court action not been
withdrawn. The exemption of a
whole bureau in any branch of
the service would be contrary not
only to the fundamental principles
of civil service but to the Consti-
tution of the State.

Civil Service | Commissioner
Smith in an address in Chicago
in October, before the Civil serv-
ice Assembly said, “Vigorous and
constructive action is necessary to
combat the growing tendency
throughout the country to break

Continued on Page 11

' Association Activities

Continued from Page 3

terests, state-wide in our member-
ship, so must we be state-wide in
our organization set-up.

The State Hospital groups are
at present represented on all im-
portant councils of the Association
through the Committee of Five ap-
pointed by the President of the
Mental Hygiene Association. The
majority of members of the Men-
tal Hygiene Association are also
members of our State Association.

Local committees comprised of
elected representatives of each de-
partment will be set up in the five
city centers outside of Albany.
The State Association will func-
tion through this local committee.
The local group will be represent-
ed either by one person or sev-
eral persons in proportion to the
local membership at the annual
meeting of the Association, or
any state-wide special meeting
called by the President at Albany.
These local representatives will
assist in the formulating of the
policies of the Association, The
local committee will be urged to
contribute to THE STATE EM-
PLOYEE, any items or articles

of interest to their respective
groups.
A temporary local executive

committee has recently been ap-
pointed at Buffalo. This commit-
tee will set up by the vote of its
members of the Association lo-
cated in the Buffalo District,. a
permanent executive Committee.
Such a committee is at present
functioning in New York City.
Beginning December Ist, and con-
tinuing for three months there
will be an Assistant Secretary of
the Association in the New York
office.

We all know that the effective-
ness of the Association depends
not upon its officers but upon its
membership. Our goal this year
is 100% membership. There are
some civil service employees who
say “We will join as soon as you
do something for us.” This state-
ment seems to me unfair on three
counts. First, there is not a civil
service employee in the State who

has not already benefited by the
work of the Association. Second,
it is not a case of “you” doing
something for “us”, The “you”
is the “us”. Never lose sight of
the fact that it is your Association.
Third, is it fair to sit still and
watch others do the initial work
which benefits not the few but the
many and give aid only when suc-
cess is assured?

What membership in the Asso-
ciation means was well exprcssed
by Mrs. Morse of the New York
State Training School for Girls in
her message to the employees at
the School.

“YT wonder if there are any of
you who do not realize the secur-
ity which membership in the State
Civil Service of the State repre-
sents? Do you realize that this
Association is working as no
other force in the State toward
the protection of the State em-
ployee? It is organized to put
over a most effective piece of
legislation and that legislation is
always toward the benefit of the
State employee.

“During this depression no other
force has so stood between the
State employee and the general
trend during these past three
years toward cutting down sal-
aries of employees; toward the
elimination of time service and
other bonuses for the State em-
ployee as well as toward a full
retention of State maintenance of
the retirement fund for all State
employees. During the past ses-
sion this Association has carried
on a most intensive program for
the restoration of the deferred in-
crements and time service and
toward the safe-guarding of the
pension system.

“To repeat, this organization
represents a greater security than
any other force in our State poli-
cies.

“These legislative services will
be continued this coming session.

“Every one of us can help sup-
port such by our membership.
Our membership represents a per-
sonal obligation, I think none of
us should ignore.”
THE STATE EMPLOYEE

December

A Victory for Civil

Service

There can be no doubt in the
minds of those familiar with the
history of civil service in this
State and elsewhere that the only
hope for wise attention to the
safeguarding and to the develop-
ment of this good employment
system is the vision and the hon-
esty of those statesmen who have
to do with its actual operation.
With the Governor of the State
of New York rests the salvation
of the State’s civil service system.
He above all others is responsible
for its general application and its
greatest usefulness, He may by
sound action bring about the
strengthening of the civil service
law, by careful consideration pro-
mote fair rules. and regulations
having the force and effect of law,
and by attention to employment
conditions affecting the civil forces
of the State make the State a
model employer as it should be.

This Association considers com-
plete political and other non-par-
tisanship a sacred responsibility of
organized public workers. It vio-
lates no part of this code when it
accords to an outstanding states-
man due honor and praise for out-
standing support of civil service
principles. It is meet therefore
that the Association reiterate its
faith and confidence in Herbert
H. Lehman as the most illustrious
exponent of the merit system of
this day not only in this State but
throughout the Nation, and it is
natural that the friends of the
civil service system within and
without the service should rejoice
at his reelection to the Governor-
ship of our State. It cannot but
be that the great vote of public
approval given to him was in
large part because of his cham-
pionship of the merit system and
the fair play, equal opportunity,
and good employment features in-
herent in that system.

After You Have Tried Others
For Real Value
Try
HOTEL CAPITOL
Green St. orF STATE
Tar Room

Milk and Health

By Thomas Parran, Jr., M. D.

State Commissioner of Health

For the first time in history the
great New York State has mobil-
ized all of its resources in the in-
terest of the public health. A
special agency has been created in
the State government. All exist-
ing departments are focusing their
efforts on this task. The services
of the largest advertising agency
in the country have been engaged.
The Legislature by resolution and
the Governor by proclamation
have called upon the people of the
State to “Drink More Milk”. The
mayors of every large city, the
educational agencies throughout
the State, the voluntary health
agencies, the social welfare forces,
all are lending their efforts to pro-
mote the public health through
improved nutrition,

It is possible for this milk con-
sumption campaign to do more to
save the lives of babies, to promote
the physical vigor of our children,
to surmount attacks of disease, to
improve physical and mental fit-
ness in the working period of life,
and to extend our span of health-
ful years than could be accom-
plished through a frontal attack
upon disease alone.

The young woman busy in the
factory or office; the young woman
in her home, bearing and rearing
children; the man at work in the
shop or on the farm; the profes-

sional man and woman whose men-
tal wear and tear is even more
arduous than physical exercise,—
all face many hazards to health
and long life. Happily, the one
most important hazard faced by
any of us can be eliminated. That
is the hazard of improper food.
Rarely is it a question of insuffi-
cient food. For some of us it is
the overeating of an undigestible,
fattening heavy diet, while we
starve our tissues because of in-
sufficient vitamin elements, Star-
vation in the old traditional sense
is rare even for the poorest paid
laborer or the family on relief,
But tissues frequently are starved
by the lack of proper foods al-
though the total energy is ample.
Nor is it so often a question of
inability to buy milk and other
protective foods because the same
funds now being spent for im-
proper diets would supply one en-
tirely adequate. There is one gen-
eral rule for all housekeepers,
“At least one-fifth of the food bud-
get should be spent for milk in its
various forms.”

Milk has never been given an
adequate place in our dietary. The
amount of milk now consumed in
this and other states is less than
one-half of the minimum which is
needed for nutrition, Every boy
needs a quart of milk a day until
he is fully grown; every girl until
she has weaned her last baby.
Every other adult should have at
least a pint of milk per day.

like “Killip Quality.”

unusual excellence.

Preserves Colors
Safeguards Fabric

When professional laundering was first introduced in
Albany by us in 1876, there was naturally nothing quite

Today with countless other kinds of laundering, it is
remarkable that Killip Service of 1934 still achieves a
distinction in workmanship, dependability and quality of

Dress Shirts and Collars a Specialty

Telephone 3-3281

December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

Nature's Recipe for a long life... .

MI

The ancient alchemists struggled to
discover an elixir of life, a magic
potion that would make men live
forever. Today, of course, we know
that there is no such miraculous
liquid.

Yet there is a food which comes as
close to being an antidote for pre-
mature age as anything yet discov-
ered—MILK! Milk helps build up
your resistance, so that your body is
able to fight off germs and sickness.
It supplies materials to replace dy-
ing tissue, and furnishes you with
weapons to overcome the poisons of
fatigue. In the lan-

guage of scientists, ,
milk helps you to
“preserve the charac-
teristics of youth.”

LB, 53
r
\

—

Drink More Milk:

LK

It is significant that the races and
tribes throughout the world who
have the longest lives are great milk-
einkers Milk actually lenghtens
ife.

This is because milk brings you
elements lacking in other foods.
And in milk alone is found the
Vitalactic Principle which makes
the whole greater than the sum of
those elements. It is a real bargain
in food-values. Remember, too,
that milk, by itself, is not fatten-
ing. Every child should have a
quart a day, adults at least a pint.

THE STATE OF NEW YORK

IT’S GOOD
FOR YOU

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

December

You asked
ra weal band
...and here it is

EDDIE LANE’S

glamorous music

at DINNER
every evening from 6 to 9.
at the SUPPER DANCE
Thursday, Friday and Satur-
day nights from 10 o'clock
to closing.

COCKTAILS

on the Mezzanine

from 4 to 7
every afternoon

os MARK OF Ss
BT oetNeRon “S
Engraving and Printing

Personal and Family Christmas
Greeting Cards, Stationery
and Gifts

Largest Assortment

34 Maen Lane ALBANY
3 Doors below North Pearl Street

The New Executive
Committee and Other

Representation
The Constitution of this Asso-
ciation states that the members
of the Executive Committee are
to be elected by ballot. Members
in the various departments were
therefore given the opportunity to
vote for the representative of
their department. Ballot form was
printed in the November issue of
this magazine. The following em-
ployees were elected to represent
their respective departments on
the Executive Committee:
Agriculture and Markets—
Spencer G. Duncan
Audit and Control—
Robert B. Haner
Banking— Elizabeth E. Staley
Civil Service—
Charles L. Campbell
Conservation—
Arthur S. Hopkins
Correction—
Mrs. C. P. Farrington

Education— Joseph Gavit
Executive— Samuel Viner
Health— Clifford Shoro
Insurance— Davis Shultes
Labor— John W. Henry
Law— Francis C, Mahar

Mental Hygiene—Olive E. West

Public Service—Carl D, Taylor

Public Works— Wm. H. Kerr

Social Welfare—

Wm. C. Hinckley
State— Harold E. Fisher
Taxation and Finance—
John A. Cromie

The present Constitution pro-
vides only for the above execu-
tive committee. Until an amend-
ment to the Constitution provid-
ing for larger representation on
the Executive Committee is adopt-
ed, we will, have a  sub-Execu-
tive Committee, composed of the
following members, which will
join with the Executive Commit-
tee in determining the policies of
the Association.

1. Five representatives of the
State Hospital employees to be
appointed by the President of the
Association of Employees of the
Department of Mental Hygiene.

2. Representatives from each of
the five State administrative dis-
tricts; New York, Buffalo, Roch-

ester, Syracuse and Utica, to be
chosen by the local group.

A representative of the Highway
Engineers’ Association, and similar
organizations the members of
which organizations are also mem-
bers of our State-wide Association.

Also in each administrative
group, including Albany, there will
be a membership and social com-
mittee,

The following standing commit-
tees of the Association have been
appointed for 1935 by the Presi-
dent.

Legislative Committee

W. F. McDonough, Chairman
Chas. A. Brind, Education Dep't
Samuel Viner, Div. of Parole
Timothy Cohan, Dep’t of Law
Margaret Duncan, Dep Tax & Fin

Committee on Salaries

Frank L, Tolman, Chairman
Daniel E. Bellows, Dep’t of Labor
Scott Nichols, Dep. Audit & Con.
Elmer E. Lawton, Dep. Pub. Wks.
C. C. Colesanti, Middlet’n St. Hos.

Committee on Pensions

William J. Pierce, Chairman
John W. Henry, Labor Dep’t
Robert Haynor, Dep. Audit & Con,
Gertrude Robinson, Dep. T & F
Dr. Horatio Pollock Men Hy Dep
Wm. R. Arnold, Pub. Wks. Dept.

Education Committee

Istar Haupt, Chairman
Mary B. Brewster, Dep’t of Ed.
Helen A. Cobb, Men. Hy. Dep't
W. C. Smith, Dep't of Education
Roy Fales, Dep’t of Education

Your Eyes
are worth care

An examination will definitely
determine whether you need
glasses or not.

Eyes Examined
Appointment Not Necessary

BEN V. SMITH

50 No. Pearl St., Albany
3 Third St, Troy
181 Jay St. Schenectady

December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

The Shorter Day
Continued from Page 3

body of the recent report by the
Committee to the Governor:

“A vast amount of data and in-
formation obtained from the ques-
tionnaires submitted to each of
the institutions, among other
things, includes records of a great
preponderance of institution em-
ployees who are required to work
from nine to twelve or more hours
each day. It is most apparent
that conditions and methods vary
considerably in the different insti-
tutions thus making contact with
each institution necessary. The
committee now has before it es-
timates furnished by each institu-
tion as to increased cost of sal-
aries that would necessarily occur
provided the 48 hour week was
made the basis of employment.
The committee is extremely in-
terested before definitely making
any recommendations to the Legis-
lature, to find out the actual in-
creased cost to the State, provided
a 48 hour employment week was
adopted. It now has before it
the cost estimate as made by the
institutions.

“The committee has not com-
pleted a thorough analysis of the
needs of each institution, A pre-
liminary estimate based upon the
survey as far as now completed
indicates a possible expenditure
of approximately five million dol-
lars to establish a maximum 48
hour week for the people who are
caring for the unfortunate wards
of the State in State institutions.
This figure should be considered
as approximate only as the com-
mittee can not submit a definite
estimate at this time. It is the
intention of the committee that
every institution in the State of
New York shall be visited before
the final report is made on Febru-
ary 1, 1935.

“The committee would urge that
the Division of the Budget make
an estimate of the cost of estab-
lishing a maximum 48 hour week
for these employees based upon
any facts which it may have.

“We therefore recommend that
in the preparation of the 1935-36
budget, and in budget hearings

with Department and Institution
heads that the Division of the
Budget prepare in addition to the
regular budget, an alternate bud-
get for State institutions based on
a 48 hour week. This alternate
budget to be prepared for the use
of this committee in arriving at
our final conclusions regarding
this particular phase of our study.
It is felt that the preparation of
such an alternate budget would
eliminate to a considerable extent
further argument in regard to the
increased cost under this 48 hour
week plan and would, at the same
time, facilitate throwing into actual
operation any recommendation
which this committee might finally
make and with which recommenda-
tion the Legislature concurred.

“In making said alternate budget,
the committee would be pleased, to
furnish to the Division of the Bud-
get such data as has been obtained
by this committee relative to the
increased cost.

“It is the desire of the commit-
tee to acquaint itself with all
phases of thought, with actual
conditions in each institution be-
fore definitely making recommen-
dations as a result of this study.”

Promotion

Examinations
Assistant Stenographer, Depart-
ment of Audit and Control, Em-
ployee’s Retirement System. Ap-
pointment expected at $1,200. Ap-
plication must be filed before De-
cember 3, 1934.
Assistant Stenographer, Depart-
ment of Mental Hygiene. Two ap-

pointments expected at $1,200.
Application must be filed before
December 3, 1934.

Junior Stenographer, Depart-
ment of Public Service. Appoint-
ment expected at $1,080. Appli-

cation must be filed before De-
cember 3, 1934,

Assistant Typist, Department of
Correction. Appointment expected
at $1,140. Application must be
filed before December 4, 1934,

Head Corporation Tax Clerk,
Corporation Tax Bureau, Taxa-
tion and Finance Department. Ap-
pointment expected at $2,280. Ap-
plications must be filed before
December 4, 1934.

For further information regard-
ing the above promotion examina-
tions apply to the State Civil Serv-
ice Department, Albany, N. Y.

SHOP ON CREDIT
ALL OVER TOWN

USE OUR “MERCHANDISE ORDERS”
PATRONIZE CASH STORES ONLY
PAY US $1.00 WEEKLY

BLITZBLAU’S

90 STATE ST.
Room 720 = 3-1813

this old established school.

GROWN-UPS — LEARN TO PLAY
POPULAR MUSIC AS A HOBBY
in Only 20 Lessons

WINN SCHOOL of POPULAR MUSIC
TEACHES YOU PIANO, GUITAR, ACCORDION, SAX, ETC.
INSTRUMENTS LOANED FREE FOR PRACTICE

Doctors, lawyers, business men, executives and many others are pupils of
The Winn School method eliminates the
tiresome “elementary exercise” stage.
some instrument—and you can—this easy way.

19 Years at 392 Clinton Avenue

You've always wanted to play

Phone 3-3546

10

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

December

Some Problems

Involved

On December 15th the State
Civil Service Commission will hold
examinations for Clerk, State and
County Departments and Institu-
tions. The resulting eligible lists
will supersede those about to ex-
pire after having been in exist-
ence the maximum four years pro-
vided by law.

Anticipating a large number of
candidates the Commission an-
nounced that application blanks
would be issued from an office at
120 Broadway, to applicants of the
Metropolitan district. Within a
few hours after this fact was pub-
licly announced several thousand
would-be applicants stormed the
office, interfered with the business
of other concerns in the building,
necessitated calling a special squad
of police, and were augmented by
several hundred citizens attracted
by the crowd, apparently in the
belief that there was a run on one
of the banks located in the build-
ing. The office had to be closed
and the would-be applicants noti-
fied to write to Albany for appli-
cation blanks,

This transferred the problem to
the Commission’s Albany office
where in the next twenty-four
hours eight thousand requests for
applications were received by mail.
Additional clerks and typists
were employed to handle this vol-
ume of incoming mail and to issue
the applications the same day so
that the office might be cleared
for the next day's rush.

Meanwhile examinations must
be prepared, approved, printed in
the Commission’s own office, as-
sembled, packed and shipped to
some thirty different points
throughout the State where the
candidates will be examined. The
Commission frequently uses trucks
guarded by State Troopers, to
transport the examination papers
to New York City. Housing fa-
cilities must be obtained and proc-
tors employed in sufficient num-
bers to conduct the tests. All this
must be done as economically as
possible.

The Commission has no funds
for renting necessary space in
which to conduct examinations. It

depends entirely upon the use of
public buildings, primarily schools,
which can only be obtained on
Saturdays. This is the principal
reason why Civil Service examina-
tions are usually held on the last
day of the week.

Occasionally a complaint is re-
ceived from some candidate that
he has had great difficulty in ac-
commodating himself to the class
room desks. Every effort is made
to provide as satisfactory accom-
modations as possible, but it is
obvious that in examinations where
the competition runs into the thou-
sands there is little opportunity to
make special provisions for the in-
dividual.

All of the activities of the Com-
mission, from the time the an-
nouncement is made public until
the tests have been held and the
papers returned to Albany for rat-
ing, must be coordinated. Appli-

cations must be issued, when re-
turned they must be examined as
to age, residence, citizenship, edu-
cation, training and experience, to
see if these meet the minimum
qualifications established; those
who fail to meet them must be
notified of their disapproval; the
candidates accepted must be noti-
fied when and where to appear;
the examination questions must be
prepared, printed, assembled,
shipped, All this involves an in-
finite number of details which
must be coordinated to the end
that on the day of the examination
there shall be no weak link in the
chain. The Commission is con-
scious of the effort it must make
to insure a fair opportunity for
each individual taking the exam-
ination.

Note: An article on “Civil Serv-
ice” will appear in each number of
the State Employee.

This

patrons.

49-51 STATE ST.

Is Proud to Number Many State
Employees Among its Customers

Because of their appreciation of correct per-
sonal appearance, this store is proud to play
no inconsiderable part in satisfying the cloth-
ing demands of State Employees.
it is this store's reputation for correctness that

reflects so flatteringly in the character of its

CA
McManus &

“Correct Attire for Gentlemen and Boys”

Store

Indeed,

iley

ALBANY, N. Y.

December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

11

Civil Service Security
Continued from Page 5

down the civil service system. The
people should be educated by
proper publicity to look upon the
public employee with an appre-
ciative eye. His work should be
regarded in the same light as that
of ‘any other profession, such as
the lawyer, the doctor, or the
engineer.”

We in New York State are for-
tunate in our Constitution and in
our public officials who are striv-
ing to uphold the Civil Service.
But we have our part to play.
Ours is the task to show our
officials, our legislators and above
all our employer, the people of
the State of New York, that we
are competent to serve them, This
can not be done by words, but
only by efficiency in our daily
tasks. In return for our service,
we ask for fair play, understand-
ing of our problems, and an up-
holding of civil service principles.

In our daily work we are indi-
viduals, but as the civil service
employees of the State of New
York we are a group. Within
that group there must be unity
and cooperation. For social pur-
poses there may be a need for
various small groups, but in our
broader state policies, we should
have only one group. We as a
country have long since learned
that in unity there is strength.
Must we as civil service employees
learn the same lesson over again
through experience? Let us have
one state-wide organization for
State employees cooperating al-
ways with city, county, Federal
and organized salaried and wage
earning groups at all times.

LOUIS J. BERBEN
Dispensing Optician
Oculists’ Prescriptions Filled at
Reasonable Prices

Broken lenses replaced. Only
first class lenses and frames used.

22 Years’ Experience

34 Maiden Lane Phone 5-2535

*

1400 large rooms...each with
bath {tub and shower} servidor
and radio.

Single from $2.50
Double from $3.50

Special Rates for longer periods
Send for Booklet C

JOHN T. west, Manager

Wel i

*

oy a A STAR HOTEL

in New York

for BUSINESS... 1 block from
‘Times Square, 3 blocks from 5th
Ave. Underground passageway
to all subways.

for DINING...3 fine restau-
rants to choose from—coffee
room, tavern grill, main dining
room,

& for RECREATION...69 fine
theatres within 6 blocks. 1 block
from Broadway...4 short blocks
to Madison Square Garden.

for quiet s: «Our 32
stories of fresh air and sunshine
assure you quiet comfort at all
hours.

Breakfastfrom 30c Luncheonfrom 65c
Dinner from 85¢

NCOLN

44TH TO 45TH STREETS AT 8TH AVENUB «v5 YORK

39-43 STATE STREET

Albany Hardware & Iron Co.

ALBANY, NEW YORK

For Christmas
an

Eastman Cine’ Kodak
Small, compact, light, Eastman’s
Cine’ Kodak Eight makes an
ideal gift it's quick
and it’s inexpensive to operate.
Tt will give years of the keenest

enjoyment to “someone.”

PRICED AT $34.50
Eastman Brownies and Kodaks $2.25 to $90.

Since 1872
B. J. E.
Famous Soft Drinks

All the Best Beer, Ale and Porter
Phone 4-2268 or 4-2204

MULLEN

12

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

Onward to Better
Things
Continued from Page 4

that many persons thereon are not
available, and discouragement and
discontent result on the part of
appointing officers when furnished
with such lists. After having
qualified for State service, citizens
have the right to have their names
certified for a reasonable length of
time for the positions for which
they have qualified, but it is un-
fair to State service to continue to
certify their names when they no
longer wish positions and it is un-
fair to the army of new citizens
of each successive year to find the
gates of opportunity closed to
them by reason of continuance of
ancient lists. It seems wholly
proper to consider a charge for ex-
aminations, as is now the practice
in New York City service, for in-
stance, and thus to relieve the
State of the burden of cost of fre-~
quent examinations and to place it
upon aspirants for the positions.

7. The Civil Service Department
should maintain lists of civil serv-
ice workers in the competitive and
non-competitive classes, who may
lose their positions in one institu-
tion or office, and certify these
monthly to the various depart-
ments and institutions in order that
the appointing officer may have
the benefit of the experienced work-
ers, and a fair degree of justice re-
sult to the dismissed workers.

8 Immediate consideration
should be given to a plan which
will bring under the laws and rules
of demotion, promotion, etc., of the
competitive class those workers in
the non-competitive class who have
served in that class for a period
of five years or more and who have
rendered faithful and efficient serv-
ice, this latter to be determined by
the State Department of Civil
Service after due inquiry. Such
employees would, of course, be eli-
gible only for promotion examina-
ns in the competitive classes
indicated by the positions held by
them during the preceding years.
It is vital to the State service that
the fundamental principles of the
civil service plan apply to all civil
workers of the State, and this can-
not be properly disregarded, as it

now is, with non-competitive
groups of such large numbers, ex-
isting within the service.

9. The Civil Service law has for
some years carried a provision
providing that dismissal from State
service in the competitive class
for reasons of economy or through
no fault of the employee, must
be in the inverse order of appoint-
ment; in other words, it recognized
the age-old principle that those
who served well through long
years should receive credit for
seniority to the extent of retain-
ing positions while like positions
were continued. Last year at the
direct request of this Association,
the law was amended to apply the
same principle to demotions in
service when such were found
necessary for reasons similar to
those recognized in dismissals.
There is immediate need for ac-
tion on the part of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission, either through
adoption of rules or through
seeking further amendment of the
law in the way which the Com-
mission feels necessary, in order
to prevent the too often recurring
misunderstandings or deliberate
breakings of the law which have
already cost the State more than
$90,000 in back pay. Such a sum
would relieve in a measure as to
the low salary scales. As paid
out it has been for idleness. The
intent of the law is plain. Is it
not a matter for the Commission
to plan so that employees and the
State will both be protected in
strict accord with the intent of the
law.

State employment practices will
never be so perfect that they can-
not be improved or that they will
not need changing to meet arising
crises in social and economic affairs.
State employees can feel no sense
of security so long as large groups
of workers in private employ are
subject to loss of living incomes
without chance of engaging in new
work and without any financial re-
sources for themselves or their de-
pendents. State employees are,
therefore, interested in every idea
and every plan for the stability
of employment and welfare of
workers generally. Unemployment
insurance, or provision for periods
of unemployment, is absolutely es-

December

sential to National well-being. Re-
cently the need for health care for
those unable to pay for it them-
selves has been advanced as a great
social need. Obviously to neglect
the health of a people is as seri-
ous as to neglect other essential
public services even such as edu-
cation,

The Association must give its
support to the efforts that are be-
ing made by the American Federa-
tion of Labor and forward looking
groups generally to prevent as far
as human action can prevent the
throwing of large numbers of sal-
aried or wage earning men and
women out of employment with no
resources and no work in sight.

It is obvious too that State em-
ployees must be alert to see to it
that false economy does not work
during the present period of stress
to lower the salary base, already
low. There is a tendency as we
know to utilize emergency workers
and there is danger that this policy
may work toward lower scales.
The restoration of salaries and
thought to living costs in connec-
tion with employees in the lower
scales of pay should be consid-
ered.

Any program that does not at-
tempt to secure prompt restoration
of salaries, of time service and
other increments is incomplete.

The promotion of educational
centers for the advancement of ef-
ficiency of State service, and for
the bringing of cultural and prac-
tical benefits to State workers has
become a definite part of this As-
sociation’s work.

Organized State employees must
give constant thought to allying
themselves with organized groups
such as the labor groups; the edu-
cational groups, the health and so-
cial groups, in dealing with prob-
lems of wide general interest. Sin-
gle organizations serve best when
they join with other organizations
to lend support to more abundant
well being along every line of en-
deavor leading to the goal of hu-
man happiness.

This Association, I am sure, has
a future of great usefulness to the
State and every State employee has
a call to service in helping to real-
ize that future.
December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

» 13

Association Card
Parties

The series of card parties in-
augurated this fall by the State
Association of Civil Service Em-
ployees will be continued through
the winter, according to an an-
nouncement today by Mrs. Hazel
Ford and Miss. May Fitzgerald,
the special committee, sponsoring
the events.

“State employees have greeted
the card parties with surprising
enthusiasm,” Mrs. Ford declared.
The three held thus far have been
very successful. More than two
hundred persons attended the
party on the evening of Novem-
ber 22nd, and we expect an even
larger attendance at those sched-
uled early in the coming year.

The parties are an aftermath of
a series of unsuccessful benefits
staged by the Association last year.
These were designed to establish
a fund for the construction of a
gymnasium for the use of State
employees, but instead a deficit of
over $500.00 resulted. Although
the Association boasts of a sub-
stantial balance it was determined
several months ago to raise the
amount necessary to cancel the
deficit without resorting to funds
now in hand. From present indi-
cations the card parties will ac-
complish this end.

All of the parties thus far have
been held on the mezzanine floor
of the DeWitt Clinton Hotel.

Telephones
2.3381 — 43197

cory

TPRESCRIBED FUEL

HERZOG «

INC.
A COMPLETE SERVICE

D&HCoal ¢

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HT 1984 Hh @

Some Important Facts
About Your Retire-
ment System

At the present time the retirement
system has 50,000 members of a

total of 106,000 registered for
membership. The difference re-
presents the number who have

quit or died.

Up to date, or since the system
was started back in 1921, there
have been a total of 4878 annu-
itants. On the October payroll ap-
peared the names of 3447 annu-
itants who drew a total of $198,-
396 in pensions. October’s re-
ceipts were $1,507,223, represent-
ing contributions from members
and from other sources. The
disbursements for the month were
$1,764,910 which included the
monthly annuitants’ payroll, the
administrative payroll (the bureau
operates with 105 employees) and
purchase of securities amounting
to $1,250,000.

Not only is every new state em-
ployee a member of the retire-
ment system but every member
has certain other advantages made
possible through the retirement
fund.

If under age 60 he can borrow
at any time and on short notice
not to exceed one-half of his
total contributions in the fund.

He can borrow his own money
and repay it at an actual cost to
cent. He

him of only 2 per

VERNOY

huscon Coke

Yards and Offices
8-9 Plaza

1110 Central Ave.

Prospect Ave. Yard

ne.

really pays 6 per cent but 4 per
cent of that is credited to his ac-
count. Between 60 and 70 applica-
tions for such loans are received
daily at the offices of the retirement
system in State Office Building.

Repayments are made by the
simple expedient of extracting the
money from the pay envelope of the
employee.

Besides the loan feature the re-
tirement system offers another serv-
ice to members., It permits budget
banking. Thousands of state em-
ployees use the retirement system for
Christmas and vacation savings. All
that is required is to notify the
director’s office that they want so
much taken from their pay and
it will be accomplished, Besides
they receive 4 per cent interest
on all money thus saved,

You can build a permanent bank
account if you want to. Any
member can direct that as much
money as he desires be taken
from his pay and placed in his
retirement account at interest.

In the savings department, some
employees have as much as $50 to
$100 put away each pay day. The
smallest amount being set aside each
pay day is 80 cents,

The State provides four ways by
which the retirement earnings of
an employee, including the State’s
contribution, of course, can be dis-
tributed. Or the employee, if not
satisfied with any of the four op-
tional plans, can write one of his
own, subject to actuarial approval.

Providing budget savings, perma-
ment savings, loans, death and acci-
dent benefits, and pensions, the re-
tirement system is viewed as being
just about as complete as can be
desired. All that is lacking is a
form of straight life insurance,

ODGE ond FISHER.
_ 102 NORTH PEARL ST. |

14.

THE STATE EMPLOYEE

December

Adequate Salaries
Continued from Page 3
additions to hospital, prison, wel-

fare and other worker payrolls ob-
tained in 1932 which carried in
part throughout the years since.
Most important of all was it that
despite the fact that Federal Em-
ployees from the top to the
bottom suffered reductions running
to 29% of their incomes, and other
employees in many business and
industrial lines were reduced like-
wise, the State of New York
hearkened to the pleas of this As-
sociation and because the Asso-
ciation convinced by intelligent
arguments as to the low general
level of State employee scales
made no reduction whatever in
the budget items for any employee
drawing less than $2,000 per year.

In THE STATE EMPLOYEE
of October'this year in its article
“Looking Ahead—1935 Budget”,
this Association reiterated its
stand “that attention be given to
afford some real relief through in-
creased incomes for the over
seventy-five per cent of State em-
ployees who receive less than two
thousand dollars per year.” The
increased cost of living and other
important considerations were
urged on behalf of salary restora-
tion and salary adjustments up-
wards for the lower paid groups.

In the face of the facts it is
difficult to understand how any
State worker could be so misin-
formed as to write as one recently
did: “We think it is time that
something be done for the person
whose salary is less than $1800.”

We can only charge it up to
the spread of misinformation by
some unworthy person, or to fail-
ure to keep in touch with the real
activities of the Association, Mem-
bers should be careful not to be
deceived as to the activities of
their Association, and, as the
writer of the letter was not a mem-
ber, to enrolling all such so that
they may understand the benefits
of organized efforts. This corre-
spondent is typical of those who
benefit without helping and who
do not even appreciate the fact
that they have or are benefiting. As
an $1,800 worker, even if only a
five per cent reduction had been
applied in April 1933 when other
workers were reduced he would
now be losing $90 per year. So
it goes.

Frederic’s
Vira Tonic
Reg. $7.50

$500

Self Setting Reg. $5.00

Spiral or Croquignole $250
Shampoo and Finger Wave....50c
Shampoo and Marcel.
Other Items .

A FREDERICS PERMANENT WAVE

This is the
Standard
Frederics and
guaranteed.

$400

PHONE 5.2622
Take Elevator to Third Floor

FOR apne

"STRATED IMAM stare masts

CENTRAL

DAIRY

¥ Dial 3-3810 x

Domestic and

Imported
Wines & Liquors
wv

WE DELIVER
To Your Office or Home

wv

Geo. B. Beatty

RETAIL
WINES and LIQUORS

188 State Street
Opposite State Capitol

EXPERT PLAYERS

Such as

“THE BANJOLEERS”
Were Taught at the

STEPHEN ST. JOHN

School of
Banjo....Mandolin...Guitar
Private And
rss $1.00 4

Phone or Write for Literature
323 CENTRAL AVE.
Phone 5-2051

CLASS
FORMING

Albany School
of Accounting, Inc.

50 North Pearl 8t., Albany, N. ¥-
JOHN J. MAGILTON, ©. P. A
Director
WRITE FOR LITERATURE
Night School Only

December

THE STATE EMPLOYEE 15

Quality and Purity Unexcelled

MILK

BOULEVARD DAIRY
4-4158

ALBANY

BOULEVARD

Cwit Service

Examinations

PREPARATION classes for
state-wide clerical examinations
December 15. Day, After-Busi-
ness and Evening classes are
offered. Expert instructors will
review various examination
requirements.

WE INVITE YOUR BUSINESS

National Commercial Bank

and Trust Company
Albany, N.Y.

Chartered 1825

1

instruction — a regular Albany
85 College servic

0 — is free to
graduates, of whom over 700 are in
government employment. The tuition
fee to others is $10.00.

Only a limited number of applicants
canbe accepted, Telephone reservations
Immediately to 4-3274 or write Prentiss
Carnell, Jr., Director of Admissions.

SEMESTER B of Senior Courses
begins November 26. Other courses
in Day or Evening School on any
Monday.

ALBANY
BUSINESS COLLEGE

126-134 Washington Ave. Albany, N. Y.

STATE EMPLOYEES

Patronize Your Advertisers

ww

The following Business Concerns help make your Magazine Possible

Albany Business ‘College
Albany Hardware & Iron Co.
Albany School of Accounting
George B. Beatty, Liquors
Louis J. Berben, Optician
Blitzblau’s

W. Reynolds Carr, Jewelry
Boulevard Diary

Central Diary

DeWitt Clinton Hotel

Herzog & Vernoy, Coal
Killips Laundry

Hotel Capitol

Lexington Hotel, N. Y. C.
Lodge & Fisher

Lincoln Hotel, N. Y. C.
Madison Liquor Store
Willard G. Myer, Optician
B. J. E. Mullen

MeManus & Riley
National Commercial Bank
Schatz, Stationer

Therese Beauty Salon
Ben V. Smith, Optician
Stephen St. John, Music
Wm. M. Whitney & Co,

Winn School of Music

FOR STATE EMPLOYEES

IN
THEIR OWN STATE-WIDE, ALL-STATE—

EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION

VISION
LOYALTY
ACCOMPLISHMENT

DUES $1.00 PER YEAR INCLUDING MONTHLY MAGAZINE

-Hand Your Application Today To Your
Local Representative or Send To.....

Association of State Civil Service Employees
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.

<= UNITY ~ |

PRINT NAME ABOVE PLAINLY
RESIDENCE
WORK ADDRESS
DEPT. EMPLOYED TITLE

INSTITUTION OR DIV.
Tue Association or State Civit Service EMPLOYEES
OF THE State or New York

Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION........... DUES TO DEC. 31, 1935—$1.00............
$.50 of dues covers year’s subscription to “The State Employee”