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THE STATE EMPLOYEE is published
monthly except April, July, and August
Publication office 2 Norton St., Albany.
N.Y. Editorial and executive offices,
Room’ 156, State Capitol, Albany, N.Y,
10c_a single copy. 1.00 per year. Entered
as Second-class matter. July 19, 1934, at
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the Act of March 3, 1879. Letrers to the
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State Capitol, Albany, N.Y,

The State Employee

VOL. 9, Number 7

OCTOBER, 1940

10c a Copy

President’s Annual Report

The report of the President con-
sists primarily of a resume of past
events together with a look into the
future.

It is interesting in the year 1940 to
look briefly at the employees’ record
for the last decade, It was in 1930
that the Civil Service Association,
then an organization of long stand-
ing but weak numerically, started
upon a very definite program for
the improvement of employee re-
lationships. In private industry or-
ganizations of employees had been
very successful in bringing about re-
forms in connection with hours of
service, salaries, working conditions
and other matters, but the employees
of the State had been entirely neg-
lected. It was apparent that this
neglect was due to the failure on the
part of the Legislature and the cit-
izens of the State to appreciate the
problems of personal relationship in
State service. The necessity for some
central organization or body to
gather together the proper facts and
present them was particularly ap-
parent. So in 1930, under the leader-
ship of Bill McDonough, the initi:
tion of a forward plan’ to rectify
conditions was undertaken, That
plan involved attention to working
hours, attention to classification and
attention to salary. It is needless to
point out that the decade has seen
the completion of the plan thus un-
dertaken. The employees who were
working twelve hours in our insti-
tutions, employees who were work-
ing seven days a week, employees
who were working under improper
conditions concerning hours of ser-
vice have seen the situation rectified
during this period. There are still
instances throughout the service
where expediency has not as yet
permitted the entire solution of this
problem but 95% of the problem has
been solved and the President of the
Association is happy to witness that
accomplishment.

October

Reclassification of positions has
been brought about and while the
job has not been perfect, nevertheless
the percentage is exceedingly high
of those who have been properly re-
classified. This job is not as yet
completed. It must be extended to
the institutions and to other places
not yet covered, but a classification
board has been set up permanently
in the Civil Service Commission and
is proceeding as rapidly as possible
to complete its work.

The Feld-Hamilton Law has
taken care of the salary problem.
No State has a better fundamental
statute to solve personal relation-
ships. While there are undoubtedly
some flaws in its administration and
there are many people who are not
yet properly allocated, the law on
the whole has received unanimous
approbation, both of department
heads and of employees. It remains
for the Association in the next dec-
ade, or as soon as is practical, to wit-
ness the extension of the classifica-
tion and of the Feld-Hamilton Law
to those positions which are not as
yet covered. At the end of the dec-
ade I am, therefore, very happy to
report the completion of the first
step in a long program. ‘The founda-
tion has been definitely laid for
proper working hours, for proper
classification and for proper salaries.
‘The future holds the necessity for
the continued maintenance of this
program and for its proper exten-
sion and application. The continu-
ance of full cooperation and cohesive
organization, such as this Associa-
tion, is exceedingly important to
every person in the State service that
this work or program be carried to
fruition.

During the decade the Associa-
tion has been interested not only in
the matters of hours of service,
wages and classification, but there
have been social obligations which
are important to the well-being and

the happiness of the employees of
the State. To this end the Associa-
tion commenced a plan of insurance
to give the employee protection in
health and to give his family pro-
tection in life. This was quite an
undertaking for an unincorporated
association, but happily both plans
of insurance which we have spon-
sored have now reached a sound
basis. There are many thousands of
State employees who are covered by
the accident and health policy and
by the life insurance, and it is inter-
esting to note that over $259,000.00
has been paid out to claimants under
the Association group life insurance
plan, that most claims have been
settled within twenty-four hours,
and have been paid for death due
to any cause, suicide, accidental
death and even one case of murder.
A claim was settled about every
other day under the life insurance
plan and over thirty-two and a half
million dolloars worth of insurance
is in effect. $385,440.00 has been
paid in benefits to the sick and in-
jured under the Association’s group
Accident and Sickness Insurance
plan. Approximately $15,000.00 per
month is now being paid to the dis-
abled insured under this plan.

For five years this Association
has been advocating that employees
in the State institutions be brought
into the competitive class. We were
extremely gratified when the Goy-
ernor recognized the justice of this
proposal and appointed a commis-
sion to bring about this reform. The
Commision has already recommend-
ed the extension of the competitive
class to include over 12,000 atten-
dants to take effect January Ist,
1941. It is interesting to note that
over 18,000 tried the examination set
up by the Civil Service Department
for that position.

In 1930 the membership of the
Association was approximately 600

(Continued on page 204)

203
(Continued from page 203)
members. In 1940, I am happy to
report that the membership is over
34,100. This is of course a phenom-
enal growth. During the last year
the Association has added more than
5,000 members.

Financially, as will be indicated
from the Treasurer’s report, the As-
sociation is functioning upon a
sound basis. We are not spending
as much as we take in, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the dues of the As-
sociation are but $1.00 per year per
member, and notwithstanding the
fact that we have seven paid em-
ployees, a magazine and a printing
bill which is very substantial.

This leads me to mention, as I
have every year, “The State Em-
ployee.” The Board of Editors has
consistently extended this publica-
tion and this year in particular the
attractiveness of the cover has been
materially enhanced, involving a
great deal of time and thoughtful
consideration, The State employees
and members of the Association can
feel that their magazine is just as at-
tractive as any magazine sold on the
newsstands. The contents have been
improved. “The Story of State Gov-
ernment” which we are running in
each issue has received many favor-
able comments. In the past, some
members were not interested if they
failed to receive their magazine. To-
day if any member fails to receive
his magazine the office hears about
it. This, in itself, is complimentary.
It is being kept by practically all
State workers for future reference as
the material contained therein con-
cerning legislation, activities of the
State departments, opinions of the
Attorney General, releases of State
officials, etc., is a reference source of
great value. Again I urge Associa-
tion members to help the editor and
officers responsible for publishing
the magazine by contributing sug-
gestions, articles, pictures and gen-
eral information, by mentioning it
to their merchants and by patron-
izing its advertisers.

During the decade, as outstand-
ing a service as the Association could
have accomplished has been its ef-
forts to acquaint taxpayers and cit-
izens generally with the budget situ-
ation. The Association received wide
commendation for its publication en-
titled “The Taxpayers’ Biggest Bar-
gain,” which has been the outstand-
ing effort up to date to acquaint
taxpayers with the true facts con-

204

cerning the cost of State government.
The Merit pamphlet explaining the
history and accomplished work and
services of the Association has also
been well received. It is needless
for me to point out the continued
necessity for vigilance in respect to
the budget problem.

‘The future will demand more and
increased efforts on the part of As-
sociation committees to keep before
the members of the Legislature and
the tax paying public tl Ge true facts
in relation to salary problems of
State employees.

Since the last annual report, over
a dozen chapters of the Association
have been organized at State insti-
tutions and elsewhere. I should not
pass over this matter without men-
tioning the splendid growth of sev-
eral chapters, a few of which were
organized with approximately 200
members but within a six months’
period increased their membership
to over 1,000 each. The many things
done locally by local chapters would
fill many volumes of interesting in-
formation.

During the decade, the Associa-
tion has of necessity been compelled
to review many thousands of bills
affecting Civil Service. The Merit
System has been continuously under
attack but has emerged, thanks to
the care given the problems as thev
have been presented, unscathed.

The Retirement System is now
guaranteed by the State Constitu-
tion. Many hundreds of bills impair-
ing its vitality have died in the Legis-
lature. Needed improvements in the

Retirement System have received
due consideration and many have
been written on the statute books.

T have discussed in general an en-
viable record on the part of your
Association. I have not attempted
in this report to go into detail con-
cerning many matters which really
merit consideration. During my
tenure there has been much discus-
sion concerning the amendments to
the Constitution of this Association.
At each annual meeting the matter
has been given some consideration
and the committee appointed con-
tinued. This year I am happy to
note that the committee has sug-
gested far-reaching amendments giv-
ing chapter organizations due recog-
nition. This is as it should be. While
the administration as set up in the
proposed amendments may not be
perfect, changes ‘can be made where
weaknesses appear. In general, it
appears to me that the suggested
changes are sound and conducive
toward the continuance of a strong,
happy organization.

In closing, as ever, I must express
my own personal thanks and those
of the entire membership to the
many hundreds of employees who
have labored throughout the State
to bring about the various improve-
ments outlined above. No one per-
son can claim credit for any one of
them. The Association is strong
through its united cooperation. I
sincerely hope we will all continue
to serve the members of the Associa-
tion and the citizenry of the State
of New York.

needed service.’

Lehman.

The Association Pledges Cooperation to the
Governor's Program of Defense

The Executive Committee of the Association, at its meeting on
October 4th, adopted unanimously the following resolution pledging
the Association’s cooperation to the Governor’s program on defense:

“The Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State
of New York desires to pledge to the Governor in his capacity as
chief of the defense forces of the State their full and complete co-
operation in the mobilization of the powers and resources of the
State in the defense of American democracy.

“As servants of the State, many of our members are already en-
gaged in essential defense activities. Many more will serve in the
armed forces, home guard units, registration boards, Red Cross
activities, refugee aid, Americanization work, alien registration,
defense of civil liberties, essential training and retraining program
and as spokesmen for democracy and American ideals.

“We ask you to call on us in our official capacities and in our
private capacities as citizens to undertake and carry through any

Copy of the resolution has already been sent to Governor

The State Employee
“At the Annual Meeting”

The Annual Meeting of the As-
sociation, held October 15th in the
State Office Building, Albany, was
well attended by chapter delegates
and representatives of employee
groups from throughout the State.
Reports of officers, counsel and com-
mittees were presented. The report
of the President and Treasurer may
be found on another page of this
issue. Also many resolutions relating
to the numerous problems of State
employee groups comprising the As-
sociation, and comprising the planks
of the Association’s program for
1941 were discussed, adopted or re-
ferred to the proper committee for
further study and action. These re-
solutions adopted may also be found
in this issue.

The Board of Canvassers, which
counted the many ballots cast for the
election of officers and members of
the executive committee, worked
strenuously during the entire meet-
ing to render its report at the end
of the meeting. This Board was
selected by the Executive Commit-
tee at its meeting on October 4th
and consisted of: Albert Stevens, De-
partment of Labor, Chairman; Mil-
dred Meskill, Department of Agri-
culture and Markets; Isabelle O’Ha-
gan, Department of State; Bertha
Dolch, Department of Taxation and
Finance; Louis Drexler, Department
of Civil Service; Walter Conway,
Department of Law; and Dr. Don
L. Essex of the Department of Edu-
cation.

The Board’s report showed Presi-
dent Brind reelected by a practically
unanimous vote to serve his sixth
term in that office. Harold J. Fisher,
of the Department of State, was
elected Vice President; Earl P. Pfan-
nebecker, of the Department of Tax-
ation and Finance, was _ reelected
Treasurer, and Janet Macfarlane, of
the Department of Mental Hygiene
was elected Secretary. The latter
three officers were likewise selected
by an almost unanimous vote.

‘The following employee members
were announced by the Board of
Canvassers as elected to represent
their respective departments on the
Executive Committee for the ensu-
ing year: William F. McDonough,
Department of Agriculture and Mar-
kets; Charles W. Swim, Department

October

of Audit and Control; Elizabeth
Staley, Department of Banking;
Linda J. Wharton, Department of
Civil Service; Arthur S. Hopkins,
Department of Conservation; Mary
A. Austin, Department of Correc-
tion; Wayne B. Soper, Department
of Education; John T. Higgins, Ex-
ecutive Department; Clifford C.
Shoro, Department of Health; Harry
S. Deevey, Department of Insur-
ance; John W. Henry, Department
of Labor; Francis E. Maher, Depart-
ment of Law; Patrick J. McCormick,
Department of Mental Hygiene;
William Hunt, Department of Pub-
lic Service; Edward J. Ramer, De-
partment of Public Works; William
C. Hinckley, Department of Social
Welfare; Harold J. Fisher, Depart-
ment of State; and John A. Cromie,
Department of Taxation and Fi-
nance.

The amendments to the Consti-
tution of the Association, as submit-
ted by the Constitutional Amend-
ment Committee and printed in the
September issue of this magazine,
were adopted by the delegates. It
was agreed to have the new con-
stitution printed in pamphlet form
and available for distribution to
chapters and members.

Among the delegates and repre-
sentatives present were: J. Earl
Kelly, President of the New York
City Chapter, and Milton Schwartz,
Chairman of the Legislative Com-
mittee of that Chapter; Milford Dig-
gins, Delegate from’ the Buffalo
Chapter; A. A. Kochner, Delegate
from the Syracuse Chapter; and
Leslie S. Wood, Delegate from the
Rochester Chapter; John McDonald,
President of the Association of Em-
ployees of the Department of Men-
tal Hygiene, from Rochester State
Hospital; John Livingstone, Hudson
River State Hospital, who is Vice
President of the Mental Hygiene
Department Association; and Lucy
S. Baumgrass, of Marcy State Hos-
pital, who is Secretary-Treasurer.
Herman Redmond, of St. Lawrence
State Hospital and Charles McBreen
of Rockland State Hospital, who are
members of the Board of Directors
of that Association, also attended.
Kenneth Borey, President of Kings
Park State Hospital Chapter; John
L. Florence, President of Creedmoor

State Hospital Chapter; Mrs. Alice
Murtagh, President of Wassaic State
School Chapter; Albert Chick, Dele-
gate from Letchworth Village Chap-
ter; Mrs. Ruth Stedman and Ralph
Webb, Delegates from Rome State
School Chapter; Robert Ortlieb,
Delegate from Rockland State Hos-
pital Chapter; Fred Walters, repre-
sentative of Middletown State Hos-
pital; Harold Boyce, representative
of Binghamton State Hospital; Wil-
fred Denno, Delegate from Attica
State Prison Chapter; Claude Bige-
low, President of Dannemora State
Hospital Chapter; Edwin Pinckney,
Delegate from Elmira State Refor-
matory Chapter; Clarence Packman,
Mr. Coty and Mr. Morrow, Dele-
gates from Napanoch State Institute
Chapter; William J. Baker, Dele-
gate from West Coxsackie Vocation-
al School Chapter; Isidore Frankel,
Delegate from Woodbourne State
Prison Chapter; William McCarroll,
representative at Matteawan State
Hospital; Joseph Lennon, Delegate
from Westfield State Farm Chapter;
Tracy Tobey, Delegate from Ithaca
State Hospital Chapter; Allen
Flynn, representative from Industry
State School; Ralph Conkling, Presi-
dent of the Warwick State School
Chapter; Edwin J. Foster, represen-
tative from the Utica District Office
of Public Works Department; Frank
Fetter, representative from the
Poughkeepsie Office of that depart-
ment; Frank McGovern, President
of the Waterford Canal Floating
Plant Chapter; William Hanson,
Delegate from the Waterford State
Public Works Shop Chapter; Henry
Honnegger and John Frawler, Dele-
gates of the Public Service Motor
Vehicle Inspectors Chapter; and Sgt.
Anthony Stanwix, representative
from Troop G, Division of State
Police.

CONTEST
Cash Prizes

SEE PAGE 228

Story of State Government

CHAPTER VIII: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE

The following article is the ninth
of a series of articles on New York
State Government. This series is
in charge of our Editorial Board
Member, A. K. Getman of the State
Education Department Staff. The
next article of this series, which
will discuss the Department of Au-
dit and Control, will be contained in
the November issue.

By Davin C, Avie
Commissioner of Social Welfare

In the officialdom of Great Britain
there is an arresting title which has
come down from ancient times—
the Keeper of the King’s Conscience.
It is the duty of this official to in-
terpret that ultimate justice which,
in theory, resides in the King as
head of the state. In the United
States our theory is that every man
is king—that the people rule through
their elected representatives. Social
justice is achieved, therefore, through
the expression of the collective con-
science rather than that of a bene-
volent individual. It is a fortunate
characteristic of the restless period
in which we are living that the
people’s conscience is increasingly
troubled, and seeks increasing ex-
pression on the great challenging
questions of the day.

One of the greatest of these is the
problem of poverty and dependency,
and the people of New York have
long recognized their vital interest
in this matter. They have written
into the constitution of the State
their conviction that “the aid, care
and support of the needy are public
concerns . . . "and an impressive
body of social welfare legislation im-
plements this principle.

This is the particular sphere of
the State Department of Social Wel-
fare. This Department may be con-
ceived of as the interpreter of the
social conscience with respect to the
dependent and distressed. Its duty
is to make effective the social will re-
garding the care of those who, for a
wide variety of reasons, cannot sup-
port themselves unaided, or who
need medical care or other special

206

services which they have not the
means to obtain.

The Department’s activities fall
into two broad classifications—re-
lief, and non-relief services. Because
of the magnitude of the relief prob-
lem in recent years, the many pro-
posals that have been advanced for
its treatment, and the controversies
that have been engendered, it is this
phase of the Department’s work that
looms largest in the mind of the
public. Relief recipient and tax-pay-
er alike have legitimate and vital in-
terests at stake, and it is the job of
the Department to see that the in-

DR. DAVID C. ADIE

terests of both are properly served
under the terms of the law,

Volume and More than 1,000,000
Cost of Public persons in this State
Assistance are dependent on re-
lief, or as we prefer to call it, on pub-
lic assistance, for the rock-bottom ne-
cessities of daily life. Public assistance
comprises home relief, including vet-
eran relief, and aid to three special
categories of dependents—aged per-
sons over 65, dependent children un-
der 16, and the blind. Home relief,
which is the basic program, is fi-
nanced entirely by the State and its
local subdivisions, while the Federal
Government shares with the State
and localities the cost of the three

special types of assistance under the
terms of the Social Security Act.

‘The relative size of the public as-
sistance programs may be gathered
from the figures for August, 1940.
In that month 246,000 cases, com-
posed of 155,000 families and 91,000
non-family persons, received home
relief; 119,000 elderly men and wo-
men received old age assistance; 70,-
000 children in 36,000 families were
granted aid to dependent children;
and nearly 3,000 persons received aid
to the blind. The total cost of the
help extended was $12,879,000, six
per cent less than the amount need-
ed in August of last year.

‘The accompanying chart shows
the source of funds spent for public
assistance in this State during the
calendar year 1939, indicating the
relative proportion of the relief dol-
lar coming from local, State and Fed-
eral funds, and how this dollar was
distributed among the four pro-
grams of aid.

New York’s The great increase in
Position of poverty and suffering
Leadership resulting from the un-
precedented volume of unemploy-
ment in the last decade has made
joint financial participation by all
three levels of government a primary
requisite of adequate public assis
tance. When the crash came in 1929,
private philanthropy and local poor-
relief machinery were utterly over-
whelmed, and could not possibly
cope with the existing distress. It
should be a matter of pride to the
people of New York that this State
was the first to recognize the respon-
sibility of society as a whole to the
individual citizen thrown out of
work by forces over which he had
no control. The Temporary Emer-
gency Relief Administration, cre-
ated by the Legislature in 1931 to
provide home relief for the unem-
ployed, represented the
nition of this responsi
people of any State in the Union.
When it had become obvious that
unemployment must be dealt with
on the basis of long-range planning
and not merely as an emergency mat-
ter, the TERA was terminated and
its functions with regard to home
relief were transferred to the reor-

The State Employee
anized Department of Social Wel-
Fe onl July 1, 1937. Thus home re-
lief became integrated with the three
programs serving special categories
of dependents.

In this field of categorical relief,
too, New York has occupied a lead-
ing position for many years. Allow-
ances to widowed mothers with de-
pendent children have been part of
the State’s program since 1915; aid
to the blind dates from 1913, and
old age assistance from 1931. Al-
though all three of these services
were broadened and made more ade-
quate when federal grants-in-aid be-
came available under the Social Se-
curity Act, all three had long been
vital factors in the lives of the needy.

Closely related to the administra-
tion of public assistance are such ac-
tivities as certification of employable
persons on the home relief rolls to
the WPA for placement on federal
work projects; certification of boys
and girls for employment on student
aid and other work projects of the
National Youth Administration; se-
lection of boys aged 17 to 23 who
have applied for enrollment in the
Civilian Conservation Corps; and
the distribution of federal surplus
commodities to families on relief or
families with incomes bordering on
the relief level. All of these services
dovetail into the public assistance
function though they are not organ-
ically part of it, Aside from the im-
mediate benefits to the persons
served, these activities operate to cut
down the need for public assistance.
Relief in Underlying the Depart-
the Home ment’s work are certain
very fundamental principles. First
of all, relief must be given in such
a manner as to preserve the family
intact whenever possible. This ideal
found expression in the Public Wel-
fare Law adopted in 1929—‘As far
as possible, the family shall be kept
together, and they shall not be sep-
arated for reasons of poverty alone.
Whenever practicable, relief and ser-
vice shall be given a poor person in
his home.” Poverty has always been
a threat to the integrity of family
life and this pronouncement recog-
nizes that fact. The people of the
State are determined that poverty
shall not result in breaking up the
family through forcing dependent
members—the aged or the children
—into institutions.

If relief then is to be given in the *

home, the machinery through which
it is administered must be flexible

October

enough to reach into the home.
There must be an understanding of
the needs of each family applying
for aid, and of the resources which
may be available within the family,
as well as a knowledge of the ex-
tent to which resources are lacking.
Relief then becomes a very intimate
matter, where the self-respect of the
family must be preserved, while at
the same time public funds are care-
fully conserved. This brings us to
another of the basic principles un-
derlying the administration of pub-
lic assistance —local responsibility
coupled with State supervision.
Local Responsi- The actual ad-
bility Under ministration of
State Supervision relief is the func-
tion of the local public welfare
units. The State Department does
not decide whether a particular case
shall receive assistance, or the
amount of the grant to be made.
‘These are matters for the local agen-
cy to determine on the basis of its
intimate knowledge of families re-
siding in the community. The State
Department acts in a supervisory
and coordinating capacity while giv-
ing all possible freedom to local ini-
tiative to develop policies in line
with local needs. When one calls to
mind the number of administrative
units in the State, and the several
types of programs developed by Fed-
eral, State and local governments,
one is immediately impressed by the
need for bringing this diversity into
a coordinated whole. For the proper
functioning of local administrative
units there must be a single agency
which on the one hand is sufficiently
detached from the day-to-day job
and from local pressures to plan
policies and procedures with a view
to the needs of the State as a whole,
and, on the other hand, is close
enough to the communities to under-
stand their individual problems.
The relationship of the Depart-
ment to the localities must be essen-
tially one of cooperation—while su-
pervision involves control, such con-
trol to be effective must be expressed
in terms of leadership and partner-
ship. To make such cooperative su-
pervision possible, the structure of
the State” Department provides for
a kind of “centralized decentraliza-
tion.” The State has been divided
into seven “administrative areas” in
each of which an area office is lo-
cated, fully staffed, and, so far as
that area is concerned, fully repre-
sentative of the State Department.

The area office is not merely an

avenue for the transmission to the
local community of policies estab-
lished in the central office. Instead
of that, it is a part of the local com-
munity. The State Department per-
sonnel in the area office live in the
locality and identify themselves with
the people there. They belong to
their churches, their fraternal organ-
izations and clubs. Thus the area
office is not merely a place for issu-
ing orders; it is rather a place of
knowing and understanding what is
going on in the community. The
area office acts as a conveyor of un-
derstanding, sympathy, knowledge,
in both directions—from the com-
munity to the central office of the
Department, and from that office to
the community. No new changes in
procedures, no changes in policies
are ever made without adequate and
full clearance with the communities
through the area offices. Thus the lo-
cality’s viewpoints, its social think-
ing and its economic influences, are
brought to bear upon the formula-
tion of policies in the central office.
Long-distance supervision from the
central office would lack sensitivity
and would lack the ability to effect
adjustments in cases where time is
an important factor. Through the
area office, State supervision takes
on real meaning and becomes State-
local participation.

Adequate The principle. that the
Standards amount of relief granted
of Relief shall be as adequate as
possible to the needs of the family
is fundamental to the public assis-
tance program. Relief is granted on
the basis of “budgetary deficiency.”
This means that a relief budget is
set up for the prospective case show-
ing the amount needed for each es-
sential item—food, shelter, fuel, and
so forth. The relief investigator then
weighs all resources which exist in
the family—carnings from public or
private employment, real property,
insurance, the possibility of support
by responsible relatives, and the like.
The difference between the family’s
resources and the family’s budgeted
needs constitutes the budgetary de-
ficiency, and the relief granted is
designed to cover this so far as pos-
sible.

The State Department, through its
Bureau of Professional and Tech-
nical Services, advises the local agen-
cy as to what constitutes proper al-
lowances for the various items in

(Continued on page 208 )

207
(Continued from page 207)

the budget. For example, a nutri-
tionist on the Department's staff is
able to give expert advice on the
amount necessary to provide ade-
quate food for families of varying
size in different parts of the State.
Similarly, a resource consultant,
keeps the localities informed as to
how real property, insurance, and
other tangible assets, may best be
utilized in the interest of both the
welfare client and the community.
Safeguards Public assistance is a
and Controls costly matter and
available funds are limited. Like
any other branch of the State ser-
vice, the Department of Social Wel-
fare must be able to assure itself and
the public at large that every dollar
is wisely spent. Concentrated atten-
tion and combined experience of lo-
cal and State staffs must continually
be brought to bear on the problem
of making sure that all who receive
any form of public aid are eligible
within the terms of the law. Denial
of relief where need does not exist
is just as much a part of sound ad-
ministration as the granting of aid
to those who are eligible. As a con-
dition of the State’s financial partic-
ipation, localities must adopt ade-
quate methods of determining the
need for relief in each individual
case. Effective clearance with banks,
insurance companies, relatives, so-
cial service exchanges and the like
are now established methods of sup-
plementing the careful home inves-
tigation. The Department has also
set up certain fiscal and social con-
trols on the State level whose opera-
tion deserves further consideration
at this point.

The first aspect of fiscal control as
applied to public assistance admin-
istration has to do with the examina-
tion of financial documents such as
local assistance rolls, administrative
payrolls, claims from local districts
for reimbursement by the State, ven-
dors’ invoices and travel expense ac-
counts. This examination deter-
mines whether the claimants have
complied with reimbursement re-
quirements as to the form and docu-
mentation of their claims. If the
claims are considered in order, they
are submitted to the State Depart-
ment of Audit and Control for such
detailed auditing as the law requires
that department to make. Claims
are then scheduled for payment,
checks being prepared and distribut-
ed promptly.

208

As financial control is impossible
without detailed knowledge of
available funds on hand and of com-
mitments and expenditures, a second
phase of fiscal control has to do with
compiling such information in sys-
tematic classified accounts. In the
welfare field, accounting is com-
plicated by the diversity of funds
which are to be controlled separate-
ly, but combined when necessary for
administrative purposes.

In addition to fiscal controls pro-
vided through accounting proce-
dures and the established methods
of financial auditing, a kind of so-
cial audit is afforded by the case
review process. The granting or de-
nying of an application for relief in-
volves a social judgment on the part
of the local administrative unit;
case review is designed to discover
whether the basis for judgment was
adequate and whether it was prop-
erly exercised. Members of the staffs
of the area offices review the case
records of the local district agencies
on a spot-check basis to find out
whether in assessing the need for
relief the local investigator has fol-
lowed standard procedure with re-
gard to the determination of eli-
gibility. In addition to all the more
obvious factors involved in eligibility
—such as the legal requirements as
to residence, citizenship, where that
is involved, etc.—note is also made
of whether or not the local investi-
gator checked the relief client's
name against industrial payrolls in
the community, or whether an ef-
fort had been made to see if the re-
lief client is entitled to workmen's
compensation, or unemployment in-
surance benefits, old age and sur-
vivors’ insurance benefits, or sup-
port by legally responsible relatives.
The case reviewers then visit a pro-
portion of the homes of the recipi-
ents whose records have been ex-
amined in the local office. Because
the members of the area office staffs
understand the problems of the lo-
cal district, and as we mentioned
above, are part of the local com-
munity, they are accepted by the
local staffs as colleagues who come
to evaluate local practices in a friend-
ly manner rather than as outsiders
who come to criticize. Case review-
ing is a valuable instrument to the
central office in that it shows where
local methods can be improved and
where the Department's field service
should be concentrated.

Provision No discussion of the
for Lay principles underlying
Participation the Department’s
public assistance program should
overlook the emphasis that is placed
on the value of the participation of
informed laymen in the formulation
of basic policy, or the insistence of
the Department upon good person-
nel to carry policy into practice. It
must be noted, moreover, that these
principles characterize the whole
scope of the Department’s work—
non-relief services as well as public
assistance,

No other aspect of government,
not even education, has a more di-
rect bearing on the democratic way
of life and is so in need of constant
stress on human values. It is cru-
cially important that social welfare
administration should never be al-
lowed to become preoccupied with
the mechanics of the task nor, what
is still worse, to take refuge in a
cocoon of smug professionalism. The
Department, therefore, endeavors to
bring the social thinking of the in-
terested public directly to bear upon
the public welfare program.

¢ very structure of the Depart-
ment recognizes the value of lay par-
ticipation in the formulation of poli-
cies. The body which by law heads
the Department is the State Board
of Social Welfare—a board of fif-
teen members appointed by the Goy-
ernor for overlapping terms of five
years. The Board is non-partisan and
representative of the several char-
acteristics of a democratic society—
the urban and rural communities;
the socially-minded as well as those
with specific training in the social
welfare field; business men, lawyers,
physicians; women of outstanding
social and professional interests—
each member having had experience
with social problems in one form or
another in his or her own commu-
nity. The powers of the Board are
by statute advisory and regulatory
rather than administrative. ‘The
Board appoints the Commissioner of
Social Welfare who is the chief ad-
ministrative officer of the Depart-
ment.

‘The principle of the lay board for
purposes of planning broad general
policies is strictly in line with the
accepted democratic processes of
American government and is a vital-
izing and humanizing force in so-
cial welfare administration.

There are other ways, too, in
which the valuable experience and

The State Employee
SOURCE OF FUNDS

1939
TOTAL ~ $180,478,000

SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN NEW YORK STATE
AND DISTRIBUTION BY PROGRAM :

DISTRIBUTION BY PROGRAM

ASSISTANCE TO THE BL
04%

tes

fd

points of view of the interested pub-
lic are made effective in the Depart-
ment’s work.

It is the established policy of the
Department in its extensive rela-
tions with private social agencies
throughout the State to consult and
seek their advice in advance of any
important step which might affect
the welfare of those in their care. An
interesting instance of consultation
with and participation by laymen in-
terested in social problems is found
in the events leading up to the
adoption of the Social Welfare Law
at the last session of the Legislature.
This law, to become effective March
1, 1941, represents the consolidation
of the Public Welfare Law and the
State Charities Law into one statute,
with obsolete provisions eliminated.
It is an important step in clarifying
the legal basis of all social welfare
activity in our State. Prior to its
adoption, the draft of the law was
submitted to representatives of pub-
lic and private welfare agencies and
other groups of laymen throughout
the State, and five public hearings
were held at which more than 800
individuals had opportunity to make
known their points of view.
Qualified Standards of administra- *
Personnel tion are valueless unless
there is good personnel to bring the

October

standards out of the plane of theory
into the sphere of life. Good admin-
istration is impossible without good
personnel not only at the top but
throughout the entire staff. The De-
partment of Social Welfare has been
most insistent on securing properly
qualified workers for each duty per-
formed, and the standards in effect
on the State level have also been in-
yoked in the local district agencies
as well. Personnel of the local dis-
tricts must possess qualifications ap-
proved by the State Department in
order that the localities may be re-
imbursed for part of the salaries of
these workers.

With the reorganization of the
Department in 1937 to include the
supervision of home relief adminis-
tration and with the expansion of
the special assistance programs, there
was necessarily a great increase in
the number of workers in the State
Department and also in the local dis-
tricts. As rapidly as possible the
merit system was extended to cover
the new personnel. Virtually the en-
tire staff of the State Department is
now covered by Civil Service pro-
visions, and examinations have re-
cently been held which will result
in the further extension of the merit
system in the local agencies so that
all but a small percentage of these

workers will be under Civil Service.
Non-Relief Ser- Thus far we have
vices of the discussed _respon-
Department sibility of the De-
partment with reference to public
assistance and have indicated some
of the fundamental principles and
policies on which the State’s super-
vision of this ramified program rests.
We have indicated, too, how the
Department in this phase, as in all
phases of its work, emphasizes the
value of lay participation and wel-
comes the partnership of the in-
formed public in the formulation of
basic policy. We have also mentioned
the insistence upon qualified per-
sonnel, chosen and promoted on the
basis of merit, for the proper carry-
ing out of the Department’s func-
tions. We turn now to an examina-
tion of the non-relief services of the
Department which though perhaps
less immediate than public assis-
tance, are no less essential to the
welfare of the community.

The Department supervises the
care of children in foster homes; ad-
ministers a program of special ser-
vices to children in rural areas under
the terms of the Social Security Act;
offers extensive services to the blind;
and has important responsibilities in
the field of institutional care. The

(Continued on page 210)

209

(Continued from page 209)
Department inspects all institutions
providing care for adults where such
institutions are in receipt of public
funds, unless these institutions are
under the jurisdiction of another
State department; it also supervises
and inspects the public homes main-
tained by cities and counties of the
State.

The Department directly admin-
isters the affairs of five State institu-
tions: three training schools caring
for juvenile delinquents; a school
for needy Indian children; and a
home for aged veterans and their
wives and former nurses in the mili-
tary services of the country. The ap-
proval of the applications of non-
profit social-service organizations
wishing to incorporate under the
membership corporations law is also
a responsibility of the Board and De-
partment of Social Welfare.

The succeeding paragraphs will

discuss in greater detail only the
more important of these non-relicf
activities.
Foster Care There are some 46,000
of Children children receiving fos-
ter care in New York State, about
three-fourths of whom are cared for
under private auspices and one-
fourth by public child-caring organ-
izations. For some years past there
has been a gradual trend away from
institutional care toward care in fos-
ter homes so that at the present time,
less than half of the total number
of children are found in institutions.
The Department is responsible for
the licensing of foster homes which
board children placed out by their
own parents or guardians, and is au-
thorized to visit and inspect these
homes and all other homes and in-
stitutions providing foster care to
make certain that the environment
of the child is such as to aid his
proper growth and development as
an individual.

‘The supervision exercised by the
Department involves advice, counsel,
cooperation and leadership in im-
proving the services rendered to these
children. Such supervision is free
of the connotation of “snooping”
and the arbitrary imposition of a
superseding authority, so thoroughly
resented by any agency that is try-
ing to do a good job in a difficult
field. The agencies providing foster
care in New York State have de-
veloped a high sense of responsibility
and exceedingly high standards of
social service with the result that

210

there is mutual respect and thorough
cooperation in the relations of the
State Department and the private
agencies.

Child Welfare A program of child
Services in welfare services in
Rural Areas rural areas in New
York State was initiated in May,
1937. Planned jointly by the State
Department of Social Welfare and
the United States Children’s Bureau,
it is administered through the Bu-
reau of Child Welfare within the
State Department under the provi-
sion of the Federal Social Security
Act and the State Charities Law.
This activity is financed entirely by
Federal funds, differing in this re-
spect from other Social Security pro-
grams—old age assistance, aid to de-
pendent children, assistance to the
blind—in which the State and local
governments bear the major portion
of the cost. The ratio of the rural
population of a given State to that
of the United States is the basis for
allocating funds, and New York
State’s share is approximately $48,-
000 a year.

The objective of the child welfare
services program in this State is not
to establish any new types of service
for children, but rather to strengthen
those public services already exist-
ing on a county basis, and to extend
them to the few counties where ade-
quate services are not yet provided.

In carrying out the program, the
Department first of all made a series
of studies of the organization for
child welfare administration in the
various counties of the State. The
Department then conducted demon-
strations in several localities of prop-
er casework methods and_proce-
dures in child welfare. Counties
chosen for these demonstrations
were those without a children’s
worker or where local officials de-
sired assistance in improving the
standards of social service in this
field. Through the Department's
area offices a consultation and train-
ing service has been developed for
county children’s workers who de-
sire to improve their skill as social
workers. Another important part of
the child welfare services program is
the sending of substitute workers
from the Department into the local
district agencies to release personnel
for professional training. This is
done where a local worker of un-
usual promise desires to obtain leave
to attend courses in an accredited
school of social work.

Special Services The special needs
forthe Blind of the blind are
more than a matter of humanitarian
concern to society. This group con-
tains many individuals who are well-
fitted to take their place in the every-
day life of the community if suitable
employment can be found for them.
Opening up opportunities for the
education and employment of the
blind is but part of the work of the
Bureau of Services for the Blind.
This Bureau, with the advice and
guidance of the New York State
Commission for the Blind—five
members appointed by the Governor
—functions as an integral part of the
Department of Social Welfare. The
activities of the Bureau include the
initiation and promotion of legisla-
tion in the interest of the blind, the
maintenance of a register of the en-
tire blind population of the State,
and a broad program of preventive
and restorative services.

The educational program for the
prevention of blindness is aimed to
teach public health nurses, school
nurses, educators, social workers and
the general public the significance
of eye conditions and the need for
early eye examination and methods
of follow-up care. For several years
a vigorous program has developed
progressively through the establish-
ment of regular courses on eye con-
ditions at Columbia and New York
Universities and through eye insti-
tutes and special courses held else-
where throughout the State. The Bu-
reau gives instruction in vision test-
ing to various educational groups
and has for several years instructed
and supervised a committee of Ju-
nior League workers in a vision test-
ing program for pre-school children.
Cooperating with the Bureau of Phys-
ically Handicapped Children of the
State Education Department, sur-
veys of school health records have
been conducted in various counties
to determine how many children
need guidance and education in the
matter of conserving sight. It has
been found that approximately half
of the serious eye defects among
these children can be corrected.

Through the employment service
developed by the Bureau, many
avenues of self-support haye been
opened to the sightless. The employ-
ment service has assisted in the train-
ing and placement of dictating ma-
chine operators and the establish-
ment of blind workers in other in-
dustrial and commercial fields. The

The State Employee
availability of Federal buildings for
vending stands for the blind has
created new business opportunities.
More than 80 stands are being con-
ducted by the blind in Federal, State,
county and municipal buildings as
well as in other locations, In con-
nection with these stands, the work-
er connected with the Bureau obtains
the location, makes all necessary ar-
rangements, provides and_ installs
equipment, and gives the stand op-
erator training until he is established
in his business. These vending stands
do approximately half a million dol-
lars’ worth of business a year in this
State.

Assistance is given not only to in-
dividual blind persons, but also to
organizations for the blind that
maintain workshops, To the work-
shops the Bureau loans equipment
and gives instructions in new lines
of work. It also gives advice as to
materials and makes cost analyses.
The Bureau of Services for the Blind
acts as a general clearing house for
disposing of the surplus products of
blind workers throughout the State,
carrying on a vigorous campaign to
interest the public in the purchase of
such articles, It is encouraging in-
deed to see the country as a whole
taking more and more interest in
increasing the opportunities for blind
workers, The Federal National In-
dustries Board, created to direct the
purchase of articles made by the
blind which are needed by the
Federal Government, has recently
awarded a contract to a workshop
in New York State calling for 271,-
000 pillow cases to be delivered by
November 1, 1940, to the United
States Army. In such ways the blind
people of our State are enabled to
take part in the national defense
effort. .

It is noteworthy that the Depart-
ment through the Bureau of Ser-
vices for the Blind has so developed
the opportunities for self-support to
this group that in comparison with
other states only a very small pro-
portion of New York’s blind popula-
tion has had to apply for relief.
Hospitals, Dispen- ‘The Department
saries and Insti- is charged with
tutions for the responsibility
Dependent Adults of inspecting
more than 400 hospitals, more than
200 dispensaries, 50 medical institu-
tions and convalescent homes, and
some 200 private incorporated homes
for the aged. Inspections include ex-
amination of grounds and buildings

October

to determine the suitability of plant
and equipment with respect to sani-
tation, fire protection, sleeping ac-
commodations and other factors.
But much more than mere inspection
is involved; through its decentral-
ized field staff, the Department
maintains continual contact with the
professional staffs and lay directors
of the various institutions with a
view to developing higher standards
of care, social service, fiscal control,
plant and equipment. The Depart-
ment acts in a consultative capacity,
pointing the way toward formula-
tion of sound programs of care and
social service, and suggesting ways
to expand and modernize institu-
tional services in line with the
changing needs of the community.

The Bureau of Welfare Institu-

tions and Agencies in the central of-
fice of the State Department coor-
dinates the field work with regard
to the several types of institutions,
‘Two important functions of the Bu-
reau are the reviewing of all appli-
cations for incorporation of agencies
and institutions which under the
Membership Corporations Law re-
quire the approval of the State Board
of Social Welfare, and the prepara-
tion and review of plans and speci-
fications for construction work in all
institutions under the Department’s
supervision, This latter service is
carried out in cooperation with the
Division of Architecture and Engi-
neering in the State Department of
Public Works.
Public ‘The 62. public homes main-
Homes tained by counties and cities
throughout the State are, like other
institutions for dependent adults,
supervised and inspected by the De-
partment of Social Welfare. They
are a safe haven for persons without
means of self-support who cannot
be cared for under other established
programs of public aid. Some 13,-
000 people are at any given time to
be found in these homes. Many of
the inmates are chronically ill and
infirm and the Department has em-
phasized the necessity of adequate
infirmary facilities to meet their spe-
cial needs.

Although the public home is the
lineal descendent of the catch-all
poorhouse of earlier times, the pres-
ent-day institution is far different
from its horrible prototype. One
hundred years ago the poorhouse
was the only institution existing for
the care of the needy. Poverty was
then commonly looked upon as the

fault of the individual and it was
felt necessary to discourage any re-
sort to public aid by placing a sort
of social stigma on the“ dependent
poor. Where there was not an actual
intention to make almshouse care
uncomfortable and unattractive, the
type of care provided was at least
a matter of indifference to all but the
more sensitive humanitarians. Con-
ditions in these institutions were
often unspeakable, A report of a
legislative committee investigating
in 1838 cited the case of a poorhouse
where in one room there were ten
beds occupied by 19 persons—two
married men and their wives, one
very old man, one aged colored wo-
man, two male idiots, and 11 chil-
dren,

Conditions such as those existing
in the poorhouse of earlier days led
society finally to revolt against such
inhumanity—a revolt which did not
come all at once but spread from
area to area of social activity and in-
creased in intensity as time went
on. ‘Thus one type of dependency
after another became the object of
special attention by philanthropists
and humanitarians, and finally, by
society as a whole. The end-product
of this revolt is our specialized sys-
tem of public welfare as it now ex-
ists. Children requiring foster care,
juvenile delinquents, mental defec-
tives, adult dependents—all can find
institutions suited to their particular
needs not only as types but as indi-
viduals, Best of all we have learned
to care for the needy and the dis-
advantaged in their own homes
whenever that is socially desirable
and practicable.

Conclusion ‘Today the country is di-
recting its rich and varied energies
into the building of an adequate sys-
tem of national defense, for the na-
tion had determined that the best
way to insure peace is to be prepared
so strongly that no attack can be
made. A concomitant of this na-
tional effort will be a great increase
in employment, already making it-
self felt in many lines. The question
is being asked frequently in these
days as to what effect national de-
fense will have upon social welfare,

I feel that social welfare has a
very definite place—a tremendously
important place—in the defense of
the nation for, in eliminating pov-
erty and need, society eliminates at
their very source a large part of the
forces making for social disintegra-

(Continued on page 226)

211
THE STATE EMPLOYEE
Official Publication of
THE ASSOCIATION OF STATE .CIVIL
SERVICE EMPLOYEES
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Room 156

Editor
Art Editor
Staff Photographer
Walter J. Schoonmaker
Business Manager Joseph D. Lochner
Editorial Board
W. F. McDonough
Ralph D. Fleming Linda J. Wharton
Foster Potter Charles L. Mosher
A. K. Getman
Association Officers
Charles A. Brind, Jr. - - - President
Charles L. Campbell Vice President

Charles A. Brind, Jr.
Roger Stonchouse

Earl P, Pfannebecker - - - Treasurer

John T. DeGraff - - - - - Counsel

Mary H. Ahern - - -'- - Secretary

Joseph D. Lochner - Executive Secretary
ap

Budget-Making Days

These are budget-making days in
Albany. And already the politically
experienced are prophesying that tax-
payers will insist upon reductions in
State expenditures. Taxpayer groups
are made up of citizens with many
differing viewpoints. Many taxpay-
ers are more keen than budget
makers in evaluating public service
and they confine their criticism to
those expenditures which relate to
unimportant refinements of the ser-
vice. Other taxpayers are critical of
every expense except that which
promises something for their own
communities or their own particu-
lar businesses. To Government, and
therefore, civilization, taxes supply
the force by which all parts move
and create and serve. Just as the
most perfect of automobiles will not
serve without fuel, so government
stands still without taxes. It is pleas-
ing to note that a more intelligent
and more human attitude toward
taxes and those whose duty it is to
collect and spend them is developing.

Taxes pay for schools, and roads,
and health and safety and order and
protection. And we have these in-
stitutions and services not because
of politicians or executives or legis-
lators or administrative heads, but

212

State Capitol Albany, N.Y.

because the practical man has found
these things to be helpful to his liv-
ing, to his culture, to his happiness.
Citizens budget and use their money
for what they prize most; through
their government they join with each
other to purchase those things which
the single citizen could not afford.
Government is not a luxury, not
something which a citizen may
throw off, or put off. It is a neces-
sity and the spirit and the extent to
which men cooperate to sustain a
good and efficient government it has
become the best measurement of the
advance of civilization.

Inasmuch as the season of bud-
gets and taxes is at hand, it behooves
the State employee to do all that he
can to prevent the disgraceful and
wholly unnecessary display of bitter-
ness toward taxes which later be-
come salaries. We have in this State
and Nation a representative form of
government; our elected officials are
robed with a responsibility from the
day they are chosen until the day
they cease to be public servants. They
have a duty to understand the rea-
sons for employing civil workers and
obviously they have a duty to under-
stand the labor and social problems
of those who work for salaries. The
merit system, designed to assure that
only the best shall serve the State,
and imposing tests to prove fitness
was not conceived hurriedly. The
civil service law with its classifica-
tion, promotion, ratings, and its sal-
ary scales was not the work of a
single decade. It is essential to good
public service that clected officials,
and the people generally, understand
that the provisions of the Civil Ser-
vice law which relate particularly to
salary scales were as carefully
thought out as are salary scales paid
by sound business and industrial
concerns. The salary scales estab-
lished in 1937 covering departmental
workers throughout the State and
calling for annual increments also
provides for definite and substantial
savings in total salary payments. To
speak of the annual increments as
“salary raises” or “salary increases”
is not only unfair, but it is wholly
untrue. A goodly number of those

who understand the situation are
frequently led into this error be-
cause it is an easy description of sal-
ary increments.

Hundreds of State employees are
receiving less than the established
salary based upon their duties and
responsibilities. This means that they
are working at from one to several
hundred dollars per annum less than
fair compensation for their work.
Under the civil service law not a
single employee can receive an in-
crement until he has first earned the
grade, not only by efficiency but also
by length of service.

Let us make an immediate reso-
lution to see to it that the increments
which are part of the civil service
law salary plan are not miscalled or
misunderstood as “raises” or as “in-
creases.” To fail to accord these in-
crements at any time is to reduce the
salaries of State workers. As this
publication goes to press there is evi-
dence that higher wages are in store
for workers in industry and higher
living costs ahead for all. Therefore,
State workers must be on the alert
to forestall any movement on the
part of honestly inspired or dis-
honestly animated groups to reduce
State salaries. When it becomes nec-
essary to save public funds it should
not be at the expense of the public
worker but by equality of taxation
which falls upon the public and pri-
vate worker and business man alike.
There must be no “scapegoats” in a
democracy.

A Pretty Good Job!

“A Retirement System for State
employees.”

“An amendment to the State
Constitution to prevent the
repealing or weakening of
the present statute providing
civil service.”

“A systematic salary increase
program within certain limi-
tations.”

The above three statements consti-
tuted three planks of a proposed
legislative program of The Wiscon-
sin State Employees’ Association, as
contained in a recent issue of their

The State Employee
official publication, “The Wisconsin
State Employee.”

Evidently the State civil service
employees of New York State
haven't done so badly, with the help
of their progressive State-wide As-
sociation, at least on these three mat-
ters.

“A. Retirement System for State
Employees.” There is probably no
better, nor sounder retirement sys-
tem in the United States than the
New York State Employees Retire-
ment System, of which practically
every State worker is'a member. Be-
sides providing for several different
modes of settlement intended to fit
the special need or desires of retiring
members, it provides for disability
retirement. It also provides an addi-
tional benefit for death in line of
duty, and even assists employees in
emergencies by permitting loans
against the member’s contributions.
Employees of this Empire State
should certainly appreciate the ef-
forts and work of those responsible
for the establishment of this pension
plan, It is interesting to note that
several employees responsible for the
creation of the New York State Em-
ployees Retirement System were of-
ficials of this Association at the time.

“An Amendment to the State con-
stitution to prevent the repealing or
weakening of the present statute pro-
viding civil service.” In this matter
also, it seems that public employees
and citizens of New York State gen-
erally are fortunate in having in
their State Constitution a clear and
definite provision for the selection
of public servants on the sole basis
of merit and fitness.

“A systematic salary increase pro-
gram within certain limitations.” In
a way, this proposal describes our
own Feld-Hamilton Civil Service
Career Law, on which this Associa-
tion worked so hard to draft and
have enacted into law. Of course,
the career law goes beyond the mat-
ter of salary increases, and provides
adequate and equal compensation in
accordance with duties performed
and further provides that increases
must be earned by satisfactory service
to the state. In this matter State em-
ployees in New York State haven’t
done so badly, with the help of their
State-wide organization.

Since we in New York State have
already attained certain benefits and

improvements which other State or- *

ganizations are still secking, our or-
ganization should not rest on its

October

laurels. The program of our Associa-
tion for the ensuing year, as con-
tained in the resolutions adopted at
the last annual meeting and printed
herein, speaks for itself. How-
ever, let’s give credit where credit is
due, and admit that as a whole, State
employees in New York State
haven't done so badly, with the help
of their Association.

Wagner Bill Threatens
State Pension System

State employees should be aware
of the threat to the State Retirement
System contained in the bill, Senate
4269, introduced in Congress by Sen-
ator Wagner. While the bill is prob-
ably sound with respect to govern-
mental employees in states where no
pension system is in effect, it is en-
tirely unsound and impracticable in
its application to employees of New
York State who are already contri-
buting to an adequate and actuari-
ally sound pension system.

The Wagner bill provides, in sub-
stance, that all employees of the
states and the political subdivisions
thereof shall be subject to the Social
Security Act and shall contribute
3% of their salaries. The states and
political subdivisions are not re-
quired to make any contribution.
The bill would impose an unjustifi-
able burden upon State employees
who are already contributing be-
tween 3% and 8% of their salaries
to the State Retirement System. To
require an additional contribution
of 3% under the Social Security Act
would require many employees to
contribute in excess of 10% of their
salaries for pension purposes. It
would be of no benefit to State em-
ployees because the pension provi-
sions of the State Retirement Law
are adequate and satisfactory and
the State Retirement Law is now
protected by our Constitution as a
contractual obligation of the State.

The Association, which has for so
many years sought to maintain and
uphold the stability of the Retire-
ment System, is disturbed by this
threat to the stability and continued
operation of the system and urges
that the Wagner bill be amended so
that it will not be applicable to
states such as New York, which have
actuarily sound pension systems in
effect.

Senator Wagner, in sponsoring
the bill, issued a statement to the ef-
fect that the need for the bill arises

from the fact that 40% of the total
of governmental employees are not
covered by any pension plan. While
this is a sound reason for extending
the Social Security Act to govern-
mental units which have no retire-
ment system, it is no justification for
the extension of the Social Security
Act to governmental employees who
are now contributing to actuarily
sound pension plans. The Associa-
tion has already communicated its
opposition to Senator Wagner.

We, therefore, recommend that
State employees communicate with
Senator Wagner and to their repre-
sentatives in Congress pointing out
the unfairness of the proposals with
respect to employees of New York
State and urging that the bill be
amended to exclude the employees
of the State of New York and other
states which have actuarily sound
pension systems.

Facts, Not Propaganda

Cordell Hull, Secretary of State,
has said, “In any democracy it is es-
sential that the people understand
the problems inherent in our rela-
tions with other countries. In the
final analysis it is the people who de-
termine foreign policy.”

The Foreign Policy Association
with its national office in New York
at 22 East 38th Street, makes avail-
able information of a non-partisan
and objective character through its
publications and through open dis-
cussion meetings in New York and
other cities. Branches in New York
State are in Albany, Buffalo, Elmira
and Utica.

‘The Capital District Branch is of-
fering to State workers in Albany
and vicinity a reduced rate of $3.00
on group membership (One person
in each group of ten or more to be
responsible for collecting and send-
ing in the dues.) Regular member-
ship is $5.00.

To the person who is looking be-
yond his job and is seeking under-
standing the implications for the
United States of the present world
conflict, a membership in the organ-
ization with its Weckly Bulletins,
and its Headline Books is invalu-
able. The most recent Headline
Books are entitled “Challenge to the
Americas,” “Spotlight on the Bal-
kans” and “The British Empire
Under Fire.”

For more information write to the
Foreign Policy Association at 50
Howard Street, Albany, N. Y.

213
DAVID’'S

84 North Pearl Street

$1.98

David's main floor sportswear de-
partment features a large selection
of new fall sweaters, cardigan
sketched, available in all new fall

shades.

Sweaters $1.98 to $5.98

N. Y. City Chapter Dance

HOTEL ASTOR ...NOVEMBER 9th

The Fall Dance of the New York
City Chapter of the Association is
scheduled to be held on Saturday
evening, November 9th, at the Roof
Ball Room of the Hotel Astor in
Times Square, New York City.
Theodore D. Gold, Chairman of
the Dance Committee, in revealing
this information, emphasized that
tickets will be sold at one dollar each
and that the affair will be informal.

Howard Lanin and his Hotel
Astor Orchestra has been engaged
for the evening. The Astor Roof is
one of the most beautiful ballrooms
in New York City. Those present at
this affair will see one of the most
unusual sights of New York, a
panorama of illuminated ‘Times
Square from the Roof Ballroom of
the Astor. Judging from the ad-
vance sale of tickets, the dance will
be a profound success.

Tickets for the dance may be se-
cured in New York City from any
departmental delegate of the Chap-
ter. Elsewhere in the State tickets
may be obtained from Association
Headquarters, Room 156, State
Capitol, Albany. It is anticipated
that many State workers up-State
and elsewhere throughout the State
will attend the dance. The Monday
following the dance is Armistice
Day, which is a National holiday,
and gives employees visiting New
York City a splendid long week-end.

In New York City the following
Chapter delegates have tickets for
distribution: Theodore Gold, Chair-
man, Department of Labor; Ruth

OPEN EVENINGS BY APPOINTMENT

Hover Sells for Less

Stylish furniture of character, quality
and color can be had at Hover's. Many
new and beautiful pieces are now on
display for your inspection, such as cof-
fee tables, lamp tables, end tables, occa-
sional tables, lamps for all rooms, mir-
rors, wall brackets, bookcases, kneehole
desks, secretaries, bridge sets and a
beautiful selection of period davenports
and odd chairs in a great variety of cov-
ers at very low prices.

L, J. HOVER
76 STATE STREET Over Bond Clothes
PHONE 4.6113

214

Hawe and Lawrence Epstein, De-
partment of Taxation and Finance;
John Powers and Mario Marchione,
State Insurance Fund; James Slavin,
Division of Placement and Unem-
ployment Insurance; Biagio Romeo,
State Psychiatric Institute; Stella Le-
hat, State Health Laboratory; S.
Sanford Seader and Al Silverman,
Bureau of Motor Vehicles; George
Mencher, Department of Law; Jo-
seph J. Byrnes, Department of Pub-
lic Works; Robert F. Speed, Depart-
ment of Agriculture & Markets;
Clinton D. Ganse, Banking Depart:
ment; Bernard C. Riffel, Education
Department; Mary E. Armstrong,
State A. B, C. Board; Eva Heller,
Division of Housing; Rose Romeis,
Division of Parole, Edward J. Rill,
Insurance Department; Irene D.
Waters, Labor Department; William
Peterson, State Labor Relations
Board; Marie D. Farrell, Law De-
partment; Joseph Walla, Brooklyn
State Hospital; Kenneth Valentine,
Public Service Commission; Nora F.
McAuley, Public Works Telephone
Operator; Mae A. Pritchett, Social
Welfare Department; Joseph Singer,
State Department; John Ferguson,
‘Tax Department; George Mortimer,
Division of Engineering; Irving Mil-
ler, Motor Vehicle Bureau; Louis
Strauss and James Scurry, Brooklyn
Office of Motor Vehicle Bureau;
Michael Turano, Queens Office of
Motor Vehicle Bureau, and all local
Division of Placement and Unem-
ployment Insurance Offices in Great-
er New York.

See advertisement on another
page.

HOME OF THE FAMOUS

Charles E. Rochester
Vice-President and Managing Director

LEXINGTON AVE. AT 48™ ST., N.Y.

The State Employee
The “Knowledge Test”

Strengthening of the examination
for driver license by inclusion of a
“knowledge test” is an integral part
of the accident reduction program
which the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
of the State of New York proposes
to initiate during the coming year.

The “knowledge test,” which is
designed to determine how conver-
sant the license applicant is with the
Vehicle and Traffic Law, as well as
rules of the road, will be added to
the examination early in November.

The test will be oral, consisting of
a set of questions from the official
booklet, “The Drivers’ Manual.”
Every license applicant will receive
a copy of the booklet which contains
all of the information essential for
traffic law observance and safe driv-
ing practices. Addition of this test
will bring the New York examina-
tion into close conformance with ex-
amination standards established by
the American Association of Motor
Vehicle Administrators. A large
number of other states have tested
the applicant’s knowledge of the law
for several years past.

The Bureau will intensify its
study of the pedestrian accident
problem and we expect that valuable
information will be accumulated as
a result of an examination of 10,000
case histories of pedestrian accidents.
The study was initiated several
weeks ago and data is being collected
by the Bureau’s referees from vic-
tims or witnesses of pedestrian acci-
dents. When the findings are com-
piled and subjected to analysis, we
hope light will be shed on basic
causes and that armed with this
knowledge a more intelligent ap-
proach to a solution will be possible.

While this study of pedestrian ac-
cident causes is being carried on,
the Bureau will also be working in
cooperation with the Center for
Safety Education at New York Uni-
versity in conducting a series of sci-
entific driver tests. This study seeks
to discover the basic personal causes
of traffic accidents by recording the
observations, reactions, knowledge
and abilities of “good” as well as
“bad” drivers.

In the field of education, the Bu-
reau proposes to encourage the de-
velopment of driver training in sec-
ondary schools, in close cooperation

October

with the State Education Depart-
ment. New legislation, sponsored by
the Bureau, has cut red tape in re-
lation to driver training by permit-
ting students 16 or more years old
to receive driving instruction in ap-
proved courses without the formality
of obtaining a learner permit.
Inaugurated this past year with
striking success, the Bureau’s own
training school for motor vehicle
license examiners will be repeated
during the coming year in order to
equip the examiners with knowledge
concerning new developments in
testing technique. It is anticipated
that attention will be concentrated

n the problem of re-examination
of drivers involved in serious acci-
dents, those guilty of serious viola-
tions of the Vehicle and Traffic Law
and “accident repeaters.” Such re-
examination is now being seriously
considered by the Bureau. Coinci-
dentally, the desirability of enlarging
hearing procedure so as to permit
the holding of license hearings in a
greater number of accident cases is
being deliberated. It is our judg-
ment that an additional number of
hearing referees could be used ad-
vantageously for the purpose of
ruling off the road habitual violators
who constitute a menace to safe driv-
ing. The Bureau will renew its pe-
tition to the Legislature for an in-
crease in referee personnel.

Efforts will be continued by the
Bureau to promote enactment of a
compulsory liability insurance law.
A series of conferences with repre-
sentatives of the State Insurance De-
partment and leading insurance
companies is planned with the ob-
jective of agreement upon a measure
which will offer some guarantee of
financial redress to the innocently
injured and their families, without
imposing a hardship upon car own-
ers or insurance underwriters.

Active cooperation of the New
York State Medical Society, which
has been a valuable aid to the Bu-
reau in the past, is counted upon by
the Bureau in the coming year.
Though the medium of conferences,
methods of dealing with the problem
of physically defective drivers are
being developed. Cooperation of
members of the society is making it
possible for the Bureau to refuse

licenses to epileptics and others
whose physical condition is such as
to render them unfit for driving.

Enlargement of the functions of
the State Traffic Commission and a
regeneration of its activities is rec-
ommended by the Bureau. I believe
that membership of the Traffic Com-
mission should be enlarged to in-
clude the Commissioner of Educa-
tion, in view of his jurisdiction over
safety education in the schools.
Equipped with adequate man-power
and materials, the Traffic Commis-
sion can be made a vital force for ac-
cident reduction. In its present
crippled state, its potentialities will
never be realized.

The Bureau has offered its co-
operation to Governor Lehman’s de-
fense council and expects to contri-
bute to the defense program by
means of various activities, not as yet
definitely determined upon, Fur-
thermore, the Bureau has approved
and will further explore the possibil-
ities in a proposal of the Society of
Automotive Engineers to reduce the
number of automobile models now
being manufactured and to adopt
mechanical uniformity to the extent
that automobile parts would be in-
terchangeable. The proposals have
been made to manufacturers as a
defense measure.

Efforts of the Bureau to promote
reciprocal relations with other states
in regard to motor vehicle matters
will be continued during the coming
months with the objective of remoy-
ing sources of expense and annoy-
ance which sometimes attend inter-
state motoring. The Bureau lends its
support to the movement for re-
moval from the statute books of any
laws which serve no purpose other
than to throw up barriers to inter-
state trade. We support heartily the
efforts being put forth to establish
a greater degree of uniformity in the
traffic laws and regulations of the
various states.

Statistical projects incorporated in
the Bureau’s program for the coming
year may embrace two new studies.
The Bureau is considering an addi-
tional question on license renewal
blanks concerning the number of
miles driven during the course of
the preceding year. In the event an

(Continued on page 216)

215
From Over the State

From all over the State comes un-
solicited statements of appreciation
and satisfaction with the manner in
which beneficiaries under the Asso-
ciation’s Group Life Insurance Plan
receive prompt settlement of claims
with promptness and dispatch. Just
for the sake of the record, the follow-
ing are but a few of the statements
received:

From Buffalo

“will you please extend my
thanks to the Travelers Insurance
Company for attending to this mat-
ter with such promptness.”

From Ithaca
“May I express to you my appre-
ciation and Mrs. —— appreciation
of the exceptionally prompt service
rendered in the matter of payment
of this claim.”

From Middletown
“The promptness in which the
Association collected the insurance
and turned same over to Mrs. ——
caused very satisfactory comment.
One of the higher officers here re-
marked that the insurance as given
by the Association’s group plan
should be compulsory.”
From Port Richmond
“J want you to know that I sin-
cerely appreciate the courtesies and
expressions of sympathy extended to
me. Thank you very much for all
you have done.”
From Hudson
“Personally, I wish to compliment
your Association for the manner in
which this payment was handled.
Your action was prompt and most
praiseworthy and the attention of
the employees of this commission
has been called to the same.”
From Syracuse
“We wish to express our appre-
ciation for your promptness and also
the Group Life Insurance Company
representative at Albany in getting
these checks to us with such un-
usual speed.”
From Albion
“The checks were shown to a
number of the employees and the
general remark was, ‘Quick work,
T should say’.”
From Attica
“On my own behalf, and also on
behalf of all the employees of this
institution, I wish to express my
thanks for the promptness with

216

which these matters are handled, In
this particular case, the check was
received here less than 24 hours after
the death of Mr. ——. You can
rest assured that I have brought this
to the attention of Warden —— and
the rest of the employees of the in-
stitution.”
From Sonyea

“Tt is gratifying to receive such
splendid service at a time like this
and I feel that the Association can-
not be too highly recommended.”

From Willard
“As for myself it is a source of
much comfort for the employees to
know the promptness in which these
matters are handled, and the Asso-
ciation is to be congratulated for fos-
tering and bringing into being the

Group Insurance Plan.”

From Utica
“The speed with which these
checks were prepared and forwarded
to me, as representative of the Asso-
ciation, for delivery to the bene-
ficiaries is almost astonishing. Much
favorable comment will no doubt
stimulate greater interest in the plan
among the employees of this depart-

ment.”

“The Knowledge Test”
(Continued from page 215)

operator has driven only a compara-
tively short distance—such as one
hundred miles—during a period of
one year, the question of whether
he should not be required to take
a driver’s test is raised. No final de-
cision has been made as to action in
such cases. The second statistical
study relates to the number of road
test failures, segregated as to initial
failures, those who failed twice and
those who failed more than twice.
The data is expected to be useful in
pointing out major causes of failures.

The Bureau’s legislative program
will include a renewal of the drive
to remove a potential accident
hazard—that of worn-out tires. In
the past legislative session, the Bu-
reau sponsored a measure, which was
enacted, prohibiting the sale of re-
treaded, recapped or recut tires un-
less the tires are labeled as such. It
is our judgment that the use of tires,
worn to the extent that fabric shows,
should be forbidden, and legislation
to this end will be sought.

CASH PRIZES
SEE PAGE 228

To our

STATE EMPLOYEE CUSTOMERS

JOHN G. MYERS

COMPANY

WELCOMES YOU

... to this old established firm now under
the management of a new Myers family.

No effort will be spared to serve you in a
friendly way with dependable merchandise.

Bey Migr!

President

The State Employee
Resolutions Adopted At Meeting

The following resolutions were
unanimously adopted at the Annual
Meeting of the Association on Oc-
tober 15. These resolutions covered
various matters of importance to
State workers. Many additional re-
solutions were referred to commit-
tees for further study.

NEW MEMBERS
BE IT RESOLVED, that eligible State
employees who join the Association after
this date as new members shall be ad-
mitted to full membership for the balance
of this year and all of the calendar year

EXTENSION OF FELD-HAMILTON

LAW

WHEREAS, the Feld-Hamilton Law
does not cover positions the salaries for
which were fixed by statute prior to the
adoption of the Career Law, and

WHEREAS, it is the Association's ex-
pressed intent to gradually extend this law
to establish adequate pay for all employ-
ees, and

WHEREAS, the salaries of many em-
ployees such as prison guards, mental hy-
giene institutional employees, etc., which
are fixed by other statutes are inadequate,
‘THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Legislative Committee and Counsel
of the Association continue efforts with the
employee groups affected and with ex-
ccutive and legislative departments to se-
cure the drafting and approval of action
to extend the Career Law to provide ade-
quate compensation and promotion for
all State employees.

COMMUTATION ALLOWANCES

WHEREAS, due to insufficient budget-
ary appropriations, many employees of
State institutions fail to receive commuta-
tion allowances payable in liew of main-
tenance to which they are legally entitled,
and

WHEREAS, the employees affected are
particularly in the low income group, not
receiving sick leaves in many cases, and as
the Association has been successful during
the past in securing relief in this matter,

‘THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Association again appeal to the Gov-
ernor and to the Legislature for their at-
tention to make certain that increased ap-
propriations are accorded to State institu-
tions to enable full payment of commuta-
tion payments provided by law.

EIGHT-HOUR DAY

WHEREAS, many employees working
in State institutions and elsewhere in State
service are still working in excess of eight
hours a day, and,

WHEREAS, the State has established a
maximum eight hour day for industry, and

‘WHEREAS, many business concerns
have voluntarily adopted a five eight hour
day week, and found the results advan-
tageous, and

WHEREAS, this Association has been
successful in reducing the working hours
of thousands of State employees in the past,

‘THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association sponsor legislation to es-
tablish a maximum eight hour day law for

October

all State workers now working longer
hours, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our
Association make proper requests to the
budgeting authorities so that any necessary
appropriations may be anticipated in the
budget to place the shorter working hours
in effect for the aforementioned groups.

FAIR MINIMUM SICK LEAVES

WHEREAS, fair minimum sick leaves
are a recognized necessity in any efficient
employment system, and are adhered to
by most State departments, and

WHEREAS, no uniform sick leaves are
accorded employees of mental hygiene in-
stitutions and many of such employees are
being charged for time taken off because
of illness, no replacement is made, and the
salary thus taken from the employee is re~
turned to the State,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association's Counsel and Legislative
Committee confer with the proper officials
to secure fair minimum sick leave rules
applicable to these employees through ad-
ministrative action if possible, otherwise
prepare and sponsor suitable legislation to
provide these fair sick leaves.

ADVISING TAX-PAYER GROUPS

WHEREAS, during the past two sessions
of the Legislature certain groups, repre-
senting themselves as taxpayer associations,
have appeared in Albany and have claimed
that they represented citizens of various
localities throughout the State, and

WHEREAS, many of the so-called tax
payer groups have been uninformed appa-
rently and have misinformed others as to
the true facts relating to tax payments and
the benefits derived from tax payments,

and

WHEREAS, all citizens are taxpayers,
and State employees are very large tax
contributors in their respective communi-
tics, and to the needs of the State and of
the National government,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Association urge upon each Chapter
and each local group of State Workers that
they attend and speak at all meetings of
taxpayers in their localities, urging econ-
omies in expenditures, but with due regard
at all times for the preservation of essen-
tial State services, and that they oppose
salary cuts of any group, on the basis that
such cuts are, in effect, discriminatory
taxes, and that essential services should be
paid for by all of the people through a tax
plan that is fair to all and not by means
of lower wages for Civil Service or other
groups of employees.

PUBLICITY PROGRAM
WHEREAS, employees, citizens and tax-
payers of the State generally have scanty
knowledge of the multitudinous services
rendered them through State government,

and

WHEREAS, such groups are equally un-
informed concerning the comparative cost
of such services, and are likewise unit
formed concerning revenues of various de-
partments,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association continue its program, using
its magazine, “The State Employee,” and

other means to publicize the costs and rev-
enues of various State departments.

EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE
CLASS

WHEREAS, this Association of State
Civil Service Employees has long advocated
extension of the competitive class of civil
service by the reduction of the number of
positions in the exempt, non-competitive
and labor classes, so that entrance into,
and promotion within the classified civil
service of the State will be open to all on
the sole basis of merit and fitness, and

WHEREAS, our organization is grati-
fied by the recent action of Governor Leh-
man’s Special Committee in bringing sev-
eral thousand additional employees under
the competitive class, and

WHEREAS, there are still many thou-
sands of State employees in the non-compe-
titive and labor classes who have accepted
appointment under such classification in
good faith and have been performing cap-
ably the duties of positions for which mod-
ern personnel methods make competitive
examinations practicable,

‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association heartily endorse the action
of the Governor's Special Committee and
urge its further study and attention to this
problem, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
extension of the competitive class shall be
so affected as not to prejudice the rights
of present employees now faithfully serv-
ing, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
Association urge that any necessary appro-
priations be made available to the State
Civil Service Commission to enable such
extension to proceed promptly.

INCREASED CIVIL SERVICE
APPROPRIATIONS

WHEREAS, this Association has con-
sistently urged the Governor, the Legisla-
ture and other budgeting authorities of the
State that sufficient funds be appropriated
to enable the Civil Service Department to
act adequately as the official personnel
agency for State Service, and

WHEREAS, this organization was in-
strumental in securing legislation providing
for examination fees for prospective civil
service employees,

‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Association urge an appropriation equi-
valent to the revenue realized from ex-
amination fees in addition to the present
appropriation be made available to the
Civil Service Department to enable that
agency to fully carry on its work.

‘TRANSFER AND FIELD ALLOWANCES

WHEREAS, State workers are frequent-
ly transferred from one part of the State
to another, and the transportation of self,
family and effects involves substantial ex-
penditures whic are caused but not borne
by the State, anc

WHEREAS, wn employees of the De-
partment of Public Works continuously in-
cur expenses in line of duty which are not
reimbursed by the State, although field
allowances are provided by the Public
Works Law,

(Continued on page 226)

217
SPECIAL IMPORTANT NOTICE

If you are not insured under the New York State Employees Group
Plan of ACCIDENT and SICKNESS INSURANCE, sponsored by
the Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State of
New York, GET YOUR APPLICATION TODAY.

DO IT NOW...BECAUSE...

1. War brings consideration of higher prices for new applicants to the
plan . . . NOW you can still buy this LOW COST monthly income accident
and sickness insurance at the ORIGINAL VERY LOW RATES.

2. War brings consideration of certain policy restrictions for new appli-
cants in the near future. NOW YOU can still buy the very broad coverage
paying a monthly income to you when disabled by sickness or accident...

BUY NOW!

3. If you buy now the terms of your INDIVIDUAL policy cannot be
changed as long as this New York State Group Plan remains in force .. .

You should buy now!

4. YOU PAY only a SMALL SUM EACH PAY DAY—which can be de-
ducted from your pay—and get A CHECK EACH MONTH WHEN DISABLED
DUE TO ACCIDENT OR SICKNESS, all in accordance with the terms of a
VERY BROAD, LOW COST policy issued to you.

5. More than 12,500 New York State Employees now insured.

6. Several hundred New York State Employees now are receiving BEN-
EFIT CHECKS EVERY MONTH. These checks range in size from $30.00 per
month to $100.00 per month. Total payments exceed $15,000.00 each month.

7. Old or young, married or single, you need this insurance now.

8. ALL New York State Employees are ELIGIBLE to apply for the insur-
ance ... you should send in your APPLICATION TODAY.

9. Claims are being paid to some of your fellow employees every day.
You may be next. Insure now if you are in good health. When you are
ready to become ill or afflicted with a chronic disease or hurt or maimed in
an accident it will be too late . . . order your insurance now.

Our Group Plan of Accident and Sickness
Here is a copy of one of the letters received from fellow employees who have received
benefits under the GROUP PLAN OF ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS. This man received $2250
in benefits in two different claims. He has paid $105.40 in premiums since March, 1937. ARE
YOU INSURED? YOU MAY BE NEXT!

“In these days when defense of country is the main topic of the day, is a good time for all of us to look into
our personal defense against an enemy that strikes out of a clear sky and issues no warning in many cases. When
illness comes it is hard enough alone, but if one has not arranged or provided for taking care of the financial expense,
he or she are only adding a big obstacle to recovery.

I never realized what a blessing sickness insurance could’be until my recent illness. And the efficient, courteous
manner claims were handled was a source of great satisfaction.

I shall feel it almost a duty to urge my fellow workers to acquire this protection.
With best wishes for the success of your Company, and thanking you for your interest, 1 remain,”

Mail the Application on the opposite page to C. A. CARLISLE, JR.. care of
TER BUSH & POWELL, INC., 423 State Street, Schenectady, N. Y., TODAY

218

The State Employee

THE NEW 5-YEAR NON-OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT AND FULL COVERAGE SICKNESS POLICY

YOU NEED THIS VALUABLE PROTECTION NOW!

ACCIDENTS SICKNESS
All non-occupational accidents are covered All sicknesses are covered. Tuberculosis
except suicide, and air travel accidents are is covered for a total of twelve months in
covered if you are a fare-paying passenger the aggregate.
on regular air lines. Coverage for 12 months

Coverage for 5 years

Accidental Death Benefit $500.00

NOTE: Non-occupational accidents are those which are not caused by and do not atise out of, nor in the course of,
any employment for compensation, wage, profit or gain,

NOTE: Pregnancy and childbirth covered after policy is in force 10 months, payment not to exceed 4-week limit,

SALARY GROUPINGS, BENEFITS AND PREMIUMS

INDEMNITY PRINCIPAL ANNUAL — SEMI-ANNUAL SEMI-MONTHLY
ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY SUM PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM

Less than $600 $ 30 $500 $ 9.85 $ 5.05 $ 40

$ 600 but less than $1,001 $ 50 $500 $15.85 $ 8.05 $ 65

$1,000 but less than $1,20 $ 60 $500 $18.25 $ 9.25 $75

$1,200 but less than $1,601 $75 $500 $21.85 $11.05 $ 90

$1,600 and over .. $100 $500 $30.25, $15.25, $1.25

NOTE: To your cash salary you may add any maintenance and time service allowed to you.

If you are not insured fill out the application below and mail today — DO IT
NOW. Cut here and mail to Ter Bush & Powell, Inc., 423 State St., Schenectady

IMPORTANT — BE SURE TO SHOW YOUR DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION OR INSTITUTION

Application for N. Y. State Employees C, S. Group Plan Accident and Health Insurance
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY — Answer Each Question Principal Sum $500 Date. _» 19,

I hereby apply to The Commercial Casualty Insurance Co., Newark, N. J., for a policy to be based upon my

answers to the following questions:

Name in full (print). Residence

Place of business: Department. Division or Institution. City,

Date of birth. Height. ft, in. Weight. dbs.

Lam employed as... . My regular duties are
Do you certify to the best of your knowledge and belief that you are free from diseases and infirmities, and that you
have never been treated for nor advised that you have tuberculosis, except as follows? ..
Have you within the past five years had medical or surgical advice or treatment or any de
have you had, or been advised to have, an operation? If so, state when and what, and duration,
Month... Yea Nature of ailment (give details).
Duration of ailment. Has any application for Life, Accident or Health Insurance ever made by you been
declined, postponed or rated up?.
Name of beneficiary (in full
Address of beneficiary: Street.
i wsdocsiand and cares taal Ulla Geplocuan te va alte | Ga ou du aul eeuiaiy autlayed otitie tite is anu
ance becomes effective, even though payment has been made by deduction or otherwise.
I apply herewith for membership in (I am a member of) The Association of State Civil Service Employees of the State
wu. Signature of Member.. si
If on a monthly basis is it paid 10 or 12 times per year?...
Are you enclosing one month's premium for this feature? wm Policy Now n= Effective date.
Monthly indemnity §. Premium

Relationship (must be estate ‘S relative).

‘VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Policy will take effect with first deduction from pay check, or, if you desire, it can be
made effective as of the date your application is approved by the home office, PROVIDED a payment of one month's
premium (twice the semi-monthly premium) is submitted with your application.

October 219
Credit Unions For State Workers

There are twenty-seven credit
unions among members of this As-
sociation as 1940 draws to a close.
Close to 10,000 owners of shares
have assets of approximately half a
million dollars in round numbers.
This cooperative form of borrowing
and investing has saved thousands of
dollars to State employees. It is a
strictly mutual system in which the
cost of credit to the small borrower
is made a minimum. A safe and
profitable return is given those
whose investment makes possible the
operation of the credit union.

Any group or groups of State em-
ployees contemplating the establish-
ment of such an enterprise will find
of great value the information given
by Edward J. Ramer, treasurer of the
State Employees Federal Credit
Union, Albany. Mr. Ramer was re-
elected a member of the Executive
Committee, representing the Public
Works Department, at the last an-
nual meeting.

Suggesting the obtaining of a Fed-
eral rather than a State charter, Mr.
Ramer deems a potential member-
ship of 100 as a minimum. Under
the federal law, seven of these per-
sons would be sufficient to procure
the charter and handle the details of
organization. The only cost involved
would be the $25 fee for the charter,
assuming that the Farm Credit Ad-
ministration approves the applica-
tion for a charter.

After the receipt of this charter,
the members meet to elect from their
own group a board of directors usu-
ally seven in number, a credit com-
mittee usually five in number, and a
supervisory committee usually three
in number. No director may be a
member of the supervisory commit-
tee.

Directors and credit committee
members hold office for two years,
while the supervising committee
holds office for but one year. Meet-
ings of the entire membership of
the credit union are held once a
year in January, at which time re-
ports of all operations are submitted
and approved, new officers are elect-
ed and dividends are voted. Irre-
spective of the number of shares
held, each member is entitled to but
one vote which is in line with true
cooperative principles. Voting by
proxy is not permitted.

220

The directors choose from among
themselves a president, vice presi-
dent, treasurer and secretary. While
the board of directors has general di-
rection and control of the affairs of
the credit union, the treasurer is ac-
tually general manager of the credit
union, and upon him, more than any
other individual, rests the major re-
sponsibility for the success or failure
of the group.

The credit committee chooses
from among themselves a chairman
and a secretary. The duties of this
committee are to approve or disap-
prove all applications for loans, and
under the federal law no loan shall
be made unless approved by a ma-
jority of the entire committee and
by all the members of this commit-
tee who are present at the meeting at
which the application is considered.

The supervisory committee ex-
amines the books of the credit union
every three months as well as making
certain that all provisions of the Fed-
eral Credit Union Law are strictly
adhered to by all directors and com-
mittee members.

The credit union is now ready to
fulfill its two-fold purpose as de-
fined by the federal law which is:

1. To promote thrift among its
members by offering them an oppor-
tunity for accumulating their sav-
ings.

2. To create for them a source of
credit for loans for provident or pro-
ductive purposes through the legal
use of these accumulated savings.

The mechanics of operation of a
federal credit union can best be ex-
plained by assuming the typical case
of a state employee working in Al-
bany and so eligible for membership
in the State Employees Federal
Credit Union. He fills out an appli-
cation card for membership, pays a
twenty-five cent entrance fee, which
is the only fee ever charged, and de-
posits as his savings any amount
from twenty-five cents up. The limit
of his deposit is controlled by the
board of directors.

Each $5 saved is termed a share.
No stock certificates are issued but a
passbook is given the new member
wherein is kept a complete record of
his savings, borrowings and with-
drawals.

The savings of all members par-
ticipate in the earnings of the credit

union to the extent of the $5 units
that they have accumulated. Frac-
tional shares, less than $5, do not
participate. Unencumbered shares
may be withdrawn on demand but
in order to participate in the earn-
ings for any year they must be left
on deposit for the entire calendar
year.

The savings thus accumulated are
now available to be lent to those
members who have need of credit.
Any member owning at least one
fully paid-up share of $5 is eligible
for a loan. At the start when the
credit union is small, the maximum
individual loan permitted is $200, or
ten per cent of the total shares,
whichever is the: greater.

It is not required that a member
own more than one share to bor-
row any reasonable amount. Loans
up to $50 may be made to a mem-
ber with no security but his signa-
ture. Above $50 the loan must be
secured by shares, insurance policies,
or other collateral approved by
credit committees. Loans may also
be, and usually are, secured by en-
dorsements of fellow state employees.

The charge on loans is one per
cent per month on the unpaid bal-
ance. Loans are repaid in install-
ments, either monthly or semi-
monthly, and must be fully repaid
within a period of two years from
the date of issuance. The amount a
member can borrow depends on his
salary, his obligations, length of ser-
vice, number and type of co-makers,
and his ability to repay the loan with-
in the time limit.

The usual loan granted is approxi-
mately ten per cent of a member’s
annual salary. Where an emergency
exists, such as sickness or death in
the family, the credit committee has
approved loans as high as twenty-
five per cent of the applicant’s an-
nual salary.

The interest paid by borrowing
members represents the only source
of income for the credit union. Out
of this one per cent per month must
come the money to pay all expenses
entailed in running the credit union.
At the end of each year twenty per
cent of the gross profit must be set
aside as a reserve for possible bad
loans, and the balance of the year’s
profit is available for dividends to

(Continued on page 225)

The State Employee
Red Cross Roll Call

November 11 to 30 are magic days.
During those days the free men of
America are called, not to get, but
to givel

In helping the Red Cross we help
our brothers in distress, wherever
they may be. The Red Cross roll call
is State-wide, and the Association of
State Civil Service Employees, by
reason of its State-wide character,
responds cheerfully to the privilege
of carrying to its own members and
their families, as well as to all cit-
izens, a resounding plea for each
and every one to answer clear and
strong to the Red Cross Roll Call
of 1940!

State Employees, be the first in
line! Give your dollar and receive
your scroll and button! Read what
distinguished clergymen of Protes-
tant, Catholic and Jewish churches
say about the Red Cross:

“The American Red Cross stands
like a guide-post at the divergence
of the roads. Its idealism points un-
erringly toward that high plateau of
spirituality which is the brother-
hood of man. Its record of service
in the cause of suffering humanity
is a milestone on the path of prog-
ress.

“By joining the Red Cross at Roll
Call we not only display our grati-
tude for the work the Red Cross
does in our own communities, but
also we make continuation of that
work possible.”

“The annual Roll Call is to make
the American Red Cross instantly
and continuously ready to carry out
its essential and nationally construc-
tive programs in our own country.
It is an inspiring vision, as we look
across the country, to see the spiritual
value to our material life of millions
and millions of our citizens joined
together for these varied and mul-
tiple services into one vast organiza-
tion like the American Red Cross—
with sympathetic hands and hearts
welding our people into a better
unity and a sounder patriotism.”

The principal objectives of the
Red Cross are:

“To furnish volunteer aid to the
sick and wounded in the time of
war...

October

“To perform all the duties de-
volved upon a national society by
each nation which has acceded to
said Treaty (The Treaty of Ge-
neva)...

“To act in matters of voluntary
relief and in accord with the military
and naval authorities as a medium
of communication between the
people of the United States of
America and their Army and
Navy...

“To continue and carry on a sys-
tem of national and international re-
lief in time of peace and to apply the
same in mitigating the sufferings
caused by pestilence, famine, fire,
floods, and other great national
calamities, and to devise and carry
on measures for preventing the
same,”

During the past year experienced
Red Cross disaster relief workers
gave food, clothing, shelter, medical
attention and rehabilitation assis-
tance at the scene of 102 domestic
disasters, bringing assistance to more
than 100,000 persons. Disaster re-
lief operations resulted in expendi-
tures of $655,757.67 by the National
Organization. It was a typical year
of disaster fighting, taking the Red
Cross disaster force into all but 14
states. The types of disasters in which
the Red Cross was called to service
were as follows:

Cloudbursts ....
Earthquakes .
Epidemics .
Fires ......
Floods
Forest Fires

Freezes ... os
Mine Explosions
Railroad Wrecks
School Bus Accidents.
Storms ........ canensrasgane
Tornadoes saisississinieiarcK
Truck Accidents .. ™
Wind and Hail Storms... 4

Since its founding in 1881, the
American Red Cross has served as
the nation’s disaster relief agency.
In these 59 years the Red Cross
emblem has been closely associated
with every major disaster in the
United States. This work has taken
the Red Cross to the scene of more
than 2,600 disasters, large and small,

faas
WENT BNEW

BBE

at home and abroad, resulting in the
expenditure of more than $144,000,-
000 for the relief of those in need.

Our appeal is made to every patri-
otic American that he may realize
his instinctive desire to extend a
helping hand to those in need, The
Red Cross again must be ready to
cope quickly and efficiently with
the major disasters and the scores of
lesser catastrophies that occur each
year. Throughout the nation, vol-
unteers must be trained to assume
individual and group responsibilities
in acting intelligently when they are
needed. State Employees will, we
know, be glad to have their names
inscribed on this Roll Call of Mercy.

Get Your Ticket Today

The Fall Dance
N. Y. C. CHAPTER
Hotel Astor
New York City

See Third Cover

AUTO EMBLEM
80c

ASSOCIATION PINS
50c

May be secured at
Association Hdqs.

CONTEST
CASH PRIZES
See Page 228

221
Savings Bank Life Insurance

Joseru V. ToBin
Underwriter

Somewhere in the speech of al-
most every guest orator at an im-
portant function reference is always
made to the tangible wealth of
America, Industries, natural _re-
sources, mechanical inventions, are
all introduced to take an oratorical
bow before the assembled multitude.
Yet, rarely if ever, does that trea-
sured possession, the life insurance
policy, receive the public orchid of
achievement, Surely, it must have
great value because printing presses
have ground out so many of them
in the past which subsequently were
sold to the Public Family (Mr. and
Mrs. John Q, and children).

However, in discussing life insur-
ance today we must be careful in the
use of terms, for not all life protec-
tion is now “sold.” For example,
under the plan of Savings Bank Life
Insurance operating in Massachu-
setts and New York no salesmen are
employed. Consequently applicants
for insurance in this system actually
“buy” the policy which they select—
rather than have it “sold” to them.

No doubt you have heard or seen
the name Savings Bank Life Insur-
ance but there has never been a com-
plete explanation about it given you.
As its history is brief, and its plan
of operation is simple, a knowledge
of the subject matter can be impart-
ed quite easily.

The father of Savings Bank Life
Insurance is Louis D. Brandies, re-
tired Associate Justice of the United
States Supreme Court. Early in the
twentieth century Brandies, then a
young lawyer in Boston, made an in-
tensive study of the working-man’s
insurance needs and the life insur-
ance available for him. He found
that the wage-earner was forced to
pay high premiums under the week-
ly payment plan in order to secure
any life insurance. Many citizens
were unable to provide adequate
protection for their families, and
those wage-earners who did buy
weekly premium insurance often
lost all rights to their small policies
when they were unable to continue
premium payments. The economic
loss to the small-income group was
appalling; in the first place, the
working man was limited to the

222

purchase of the most expensive kind
of insurance and again, because of
the high cost and lack of cash and
loan values a large proportion, if
not the greater number of the in-
sureds, permitted their policies to
lapse, receiving no money return for
their payments! It might be well to
note at this time the peculiar fea-
tures which Brandies pointed out
about industrial or weekly premium
insurance as distinguished from or-
dinary insurance,

“(1) Industrial premiums are in
amounts of five cents or multiples
thereof, the variations for different
ages being in the amount of insur-
ance so purchased; whereas in or-
dinary life insurance the variation is
in the amount of premium.

“(2) Industrial premiums are pay-
able weekly; whereas in ordinary life
insurance the premium is payable
annually, semi-annually, or quar-
terly.

“(3) Industrial premiums are col-
lected from house to house; whereas
in ordinary life insurance the pay-
ments of premiums are commonly
remitted by mail, or are made at the
office of the company or of its
agents.”

Insurance companies contended
that the discontinuance of premium
payments was due to thriftlessness
of wage-earners. But surely the
thrifty who continue premium pay-
ments should not be forced to com-
ply with a system which is costly
and unfair! The thrifty working
man like his wealthier fellowman
should be given the opportunity to
obtain life insurance at more equi-
table rates.

A real problem confronted Bran-
deis. Knowing that the findings
were true and of a serious nature
what was to be done about this
troublesome situation? Could the
means be provided whereby the
wage-earner might buy low cost life
insurance in a safe institution? In
Massachusetts the mutual savings
banks presented the conservative me-
dium which could be readily adapt-
able for the service of life insurance.
These institutions had a record of
successful and economical operation
over a period of years. Mutual sav-
ings banks and mutual life insur-
ance companies had fundamentally

the same end in view, namely, con-
servative and profitable investment,
at the lowest possible expense, of
funds contributed periodically in
small amounts. Essentially, the
qualities for good management by
the trustees or directors of both in-
stitutions were similar—good com-
mon sense, honesty, economy, and
accuracy.

By the creation of an insurance de-
partment the issuance of insurance
policies could be made with few
changes in the structure of mutual
savings banks. Medical underwrit-
ing and actuarial services could be
provided in a central office for the
proper evaluating of risks and other
related functions.

The banks would employ no sales-
men or collectors, and with this high
cost factor eliminated it can be seen
that the working man who had the
desire to save could purchase a vital
necessity at an appreciably lower
rate. The enormous overhead costs
of a life insurance company would
be absent in the savings bank. It
would permit the payment of earlier
and higher cash and loan values.
The tremendous number of lapses
caused by the “overselling” practices
of some weekly premium agents
would not be present when people
could “buy” insurance at the savings
bank. All these reasons were ad-
vanced by the proponents of Savings
Bank Life Insurance when a bill per-
mitting the banks to set up insur-
ance departments was presented to
the Massachusetts Legislature in
1907. After great argument and de-
bate the bill was passed and signed
by Governor Guild. The details of
the legislative discussion are not of
particular concern for this article,
It is sufficient to state that the Say-
ings Bank Life Insurance Bill had
the active and vigorous support of
prominent clergymen, leaders of in-
dustry and organized labor, direc-
tors of social service agencies, and
legislators of both political parties.
‘The success of the Massachusetts plan
has been widely acclaimed. On Au-
gust 31, 1940, there were over 209,-
000 policies in force with more than
$189,000,000 insurance in force.
Savings Bank Life Insurance is the
lowest cost protection in the Bay
State. The policy provisions are ex-

The State Employee
tremely liberal. There are now 28
mutual savings banks which issue
policies and there are, in addition,
more than 200 agency banks and in.
stitutions in the state where Savings
Bank Life Insurance may be pur-
chased, This, in brief, is the Massa-
chusetts story.

Let us now consider Savings Bank
Life Insurance in New York, the
only other State where the system is
in practice. It is not the intention
to minimize the tremendous finan-
cial and sociological good accom-
plished by the progressive pioneering
of the Massachusetts system. But
since the plan in New York is more
familiar to the writer we shall re-
view the experience of Savings Bank
Life Insurance in the Empire State
with greater detail.

From time to time between 1907
and 1938 savings bank life insurance
bills were introduced before the law
making bodies of many states, but
always they were defeated. How-
ever, in 1938 the New York State
Legislature passed the law permit-
ting mutual savings banks to estab-
lish life insurance departments and
issue policies. Under the law Sav-
ings Bank Life Insurance may be
obtained in any amount from $250
to $3,000 by residents of New York
State or by persons regularly em-
ployed in the State. Lives between
the ages of six months and 65 years
are insured. Applicants who have
reached their fifteenth birthday must
pass a medical examination. All
standard forms of policies are issued.
Premiums may be paid monthly,
quarterly, semi-annually, or annu.
ally. It isn’t necessary to be a de-
positor in a savings bank to pur-
chase this low-cost legal-reserve life
insurance. However, if a policy-
holder has a savings account in the
savings bank he can arrange to have
his premiums deducted from the ac-
count when the premium is due.
Besides being low in cost all savings
bank life and endowment policies
have guaranteed cash surrender,
paid-up and extended insurance
values after premiums have been
paid for six months and loan values
after one year.

When Savings Bank Life Insur-
ance in New York began in Janu-
ary 1, 1939, three mutual savings
banks immediately took advantage

of the law passed in the previous *

legislative session and established in-
surance departments. Other savings

October

banks have come into the system so
that there are now eighteen banks

where life insurance may be pur-
chased.

Low-cost life insurance has been
managed so economically and sound-
ly in New York that a dividend was
paid to policy-holders after but one
year of operation. The thrifty wage-
earners of the State have been alert
to the soundness and stability of
this plan of voluntary protection,
With a brief history of twenty-one
months there are more than 13,000
policies in force for an amount great-
er than $10,500,000 of inexpensive
legal-reserve Savings Bank Life In-

surance.

Possibly the facility and ease of
operation has been an important fac-
tor in the success and popularity of
Savings Bank Life Insurance. In se-
curing such insurance the first step
is to visit the bank and complete an
application form. An appointment
for a medical examination is ar-
ranged at a time convenient for you.
After your medical examination the
local medical examiner sends his re-
port and your application to the
medical director's office where it is
reviewed by the underwriting staff
and the medical director. Shortly
thereafter, the bank is notified con-
cerning the action of this office. If
your application is approved, you are
requested to call at the bank and
the policy is given you upon the
payment of the first premium. Speed,

simplicity, and courteous service are
emphasized.

At the office of Savings Bank Life
Insurance in the State Office Build-
ing free booklets of information are
available which explain the opera-
tion of the system in detail.

Truly, the gainful accomplish-
ments of low-cost insurance in Mas-
sachusetts and New York give great-
er dignity and force to the words of
Justice Brandeis:

“We need social inventions, each
of many able men adding his work
until the invention is perfected.”

JOIN NOW!

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and Service
BUDGET PLAN

Regardless of your circumstances
‘we have glasses to fit your budget

HENRY J. EVANS
Optometrist-Eyesight Specialist
78 NORTH PEARL STREET
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H.R. S. H. News

The Annual Meeting and Elec-
tion of the Hudson River State Hos-
pital Employees’ Association took
place on Wednesday evening, Sep-
tember 18th. John Livingstone was
reelected President; Vice President-
elect was Louis I. Garrison; Secre-
tary, Edward F. Marra; and Trea-
surer, Edward L. Weaver. As Mr.
Weaver was inducted into the Fed-
eral Military Service on September
16th, as a member of the 156th Field
Artillery, Mr. August Eitzen, for-
mer Secretary, was appointed by the
President to fill that office for the
unexpired term.

The Nominating Committee
which selected the slate of officers was
composed of August Eitzen, Chair-
man; Mrs. Elizabeth V. Ryan,
George W. Magee, Donald S. Hol-
den and John J. O'Connell. The
Election Board which conducted the
election was made up of David
Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth V. Ryan and
G. Carleton Nuhn. Tellers were K.
P. Wilson, Albert V. McKee and
Howard R. Chase,

At the annual meeting it was
voted to transfer $2,000 of the As-
sociation funds from its Special In-
terest account to the Trust Fund es-
tablished two years ago. A vote of
appreciation was extended to Dr.
Ralph P. Folsom, Superintendent,
and Andrew J. Delaney, Steward,
for their hearty cooperation to the
Association during the past year.

From our correspondent at H. R.
S. H. we learn that the following
employees of Hudson River State

224

Hospital who are members of this
Association have lately been in-
ducted into the U. S. Military Ser-
vice and are stationed at Fort Dix,
New Jersey. From the 156th Field
Attillery, Medical Detachment,
Newburgh, were Major Charles E.
Niles, Corporal Robert J. Sheedy, Ist
Class Privates Robert Tillman and
William Power and Privates James
M. Hayes, Jr., Francis Sheedy, An-

drew Morse, Wilfred Sullivan, Arthur
H. Marx, Edward L. Weaver, Wil-
liam Gillespie and William A. Pot-
tenburgh. Corporal Robert E. Peters
was a member of the 2nd Battalion
Headquarters Battery of the 156th
Field Artillery of Newburgh. From
Battery B, 156th Field Artillery,
Poughkeepsie, were Sergeant John
McLain, and Privates Orio Ceruti,
George Ferenz, Jack Ciancio, Wil-
liam Tackes, Raymond F. Shipley,
William Pfeifer, William P. Carey,
Floyd Hoff and Emanual Urbano.
From Battery C, 156th Field Artil-
lery, Poughkeepsie, were Corporal
George Finn and Privates Arnold
Lutz, William Clark, Perry Rion,
John Spice, Elmer Galbraith, Kevin
Rogan, Phillip Newkirk, M. Donald
Bishop, Edward Odell, Gregory Mil-
roy, Daniel J. Cavanaugh, Frank
Schram, Wallace O. Pink, Kenneth
V. Tartter, William Schab, James
Sheedy, Edward Grega, Stanley
Siwek. From Battery E, 156th Field
Artillery, Newburgh, were Privates
George C. Shipley and William H.

Toomey.
(Continued on page 225)

The State Employee
Credit Unions
(Continued from page 220)
be paid to all members, borrowers as
well as non-borrowers, on their $5
units, pro-rated as to the number of
months of the past calendar year
they have these shares on deposit.
Under the federal law, six per cent
is the maximum dividend permitted.

The usual type of credit agency,
such as banks and finance com-
panies, is operated to make a profit
for a comparatively small number
of investors, hence a management
that produces satisfactory results can
be liberally compensated in money.
The management of a credit union,
however, must be composed of men
prepared to think and act in terms
of service and not of profit. They
must be men who are willing to
make a sacrifice of time and energy
for no financial gain, and who will
feel that they are amply compensated
in the personal satisfaction derived
from improving the economic status
of some of their less fortunate fel-
low men.

The Federal Credit Union Law
does not permit the compensation of
any director or committeeman, ex-
cept the treasurer, and his compensa-
tion is fixed each year by the mem-
bers at their annual meeting. Of
course, if the credit union becomes
large enough to warrant it, a full-
time cashier and bookkeeper must be
employed.

Tt speaks well for the human race
in general when we note that the
great majority of all credit unions
develop into successes. Men and wo-
men, with no previous experience in
credit, banking or accounting, rapid-
ly acquire knowledge and experi-
ence, but it should be emphasized
that they must thoroughly study the
credit union laws before embarking
on their duties.

‘A successful management should
have a president who, while not nec-
essarily an orator, must be able to
address potential members and be
able to convince them of the fitness
of a credit union in their every day
life; a treasurer who is not afraid of
hard work; a board of directors that
will actually direct; and a credit
committee that will be humane in
judging loan applications as well as
fully realizing their responsibilities

in acting as trustees of other people’s

money.
Finally it should be self-evident
that since a credit union is a coop-

October

erative enterprise, its success depends
on a true and complete cooperation
between all the members and their
management.

Group Hospitalization

The next group of State employ-
ees of the Capital District to enter
the 3c-a-day-Group-Hospitalization-
Plan, as sponsored by the Associated
Hospital Service of the Capital Dis-
trict, will be formed on November
18th. Applications to enter this plan
from eligible State employees, ac-
companied by a semi-annual or an-
nual fee, must be filed at Association
Headquarters, Room 156, State Cap-
itol, Albany, on or before that date.

Under this plan hospitalization
coverage is available for individuals,
for husband and wife, or for family
groups. Employees already in this
plan may bring additional depen-
dents who are unemployed, single or
widowed, living in the same house-
hold into the plan on November
18th, providing it is the end of their
contract year. Commencing January
1, 1940, maternity coverage has only
been accorded to family group con-
tracts, as they are renewed, or to
husband and wife contracts who
wish this particular coverage and
pay the family group rate.

Our Association is glad to be able
to make this valuable protection
available to State workers of the
Capital District by its acting as a re-
mitting agent, and suggests that
wherever possible, its chapters pro-
vide such service for members.
Thousands of employees in the Cap-
ital District have received tremen-

_ dous benefit from this plan when

hospitalization was necessary. It is
worthy of careful consideration.

State Employees of the Capital
District eligible to enter this plan
may secure applications or additional
information from Association Head-
quarters.

Just Published:
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE

Po

(8-page pamphlet)
Teaches the Candidate:

How to get the most out of his final
review. How to, overcome nervousness
during the examination. How to get to
the essentials without loss of time. How
to answer questions with the brevity de-
sired by Examiners. What to avoid dur-
ing the examination. And many other
Suggestions that will be of benefit to the
Candidate.

Price, postpaid....++.0++ 25e per copy

L. MARDER, LL.B., C.P.A.
165 Broadway New York City

H.R. S. H. News
(Continued from page 224)
Frank Sheridan, Golf Pro at H.
R. S. H. finished in a tie for second
place in the annual Mid-Hudson
open golf tournament at the New-
burgh Golf and Country Club Sep-
tember 22nd. He carded 147, John
Whalen, of the hospital staff, won
the H. R. S. H. golf championship
for the second consecutive year Au-
gust 18th,

At the 96th Annual Dutchess
County Fair held at Rhinebeck re-
cently, four exhibits of the Hudson
River State Hospital attracted con-
siderable attention. A Farm Prod-
ucts exhibit was given first prize
in Class 51-A, best collection of
vegetables in one exhibit. A floral
exhibit was especially beautiful, fea-
turing the American Flag, and dur-
ing the display, Mrs. Dorothy Han-
lon of the occupational service sang
“God Bless America.”

The Fall Dance
N. Y. C. CHAPTER

Hotel Astor, N. Y. C.
Nov. Sth, 1940

Informal Subscriptions
$1.00

See Third Cover

CONTEST
CASH PRIZES
See Page 228

HAIR on FACE

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REMOVED FOREVER
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Guaranteed no _ after
marks, no regrowth, no
Pain; modem equipment;
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ERNEST SWANSON
123 STATE ST., OPP. DE WITT
Phone 3-4988 Open Evenings

Write for Free Booklet!

225
ioe Cost Savings Bank Life
Insurance Is Now Available
at the Following Banks:

mP¥SHWICK SAVINGS BANK
CITIZENS s SAVINGS NGS BANE

Bowery and Canal
SEREW YORE SAVINGS BANE
Allantic, Ave; at Pengsyivania,
rooklyn,
EMPIRE CITY SAVINGS BANK
21, "West 125th St., er ‘eo
ING SAVINGS B.

ne

New York
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59] Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y,
IK FOR SAVINGS
Main Stat falHigniand Ave Ave. Ossining, N.Y.

nay N, Tog 3t, fihaca, N.Y,
IANICS § SAVINGS BANK

fae
21 Exchange ‘St, Hoe
THE ONEIDA ‘COUNTY. ERVINGS BANK
‘Wer mi

st Firs
THE SsWEGO Souniry YSAVINGS BA BANK
4 E. Bridae St., Oswego, N. Y.
PEERSEILL SAVINGS BANK
haat: sour create beryl ae ¥.
INGS BAN!
122 ‘Weer Baminice Ay Rome,
THE SCHENECTA) Y SAV ‘Ries Banc
$00 State St.. Scie ctady, N.
iE TROY SAVINGS BANK
State and Second Sts., Troy, N. Y.
SY1 SUSE SAVINGS BANK
102 North Salina St., Syracuse, N. Y.

In Albany for information call or write
SAVINGS BANK LIFE
INSURANCE
810 State Office Building

INC.

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AT JAMES ST.

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8
&

Resolutions Adopted at

Annual Meeting
(Continued from page 217)

‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association consider legislation and ap-
propriations to provide that if a permanent
employee is transferred to work in another
part of the State, that he will be reim-
bursed for the reasonable expenses of trans-
ferring self, family and effects to assume
his duties in the new location, and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RE-
SOLVED, that the Association call upon
officials of the Public Works Department
and budgeting authorities to determine and
arrange for the payment of reasonable field
allowances to employees of that depart-
ment.

‘THE FITE COMMISSION
WHEREAS, this Association has con-
sistently advocated the selection of civil
service employees on the sole and popular
method of merit and fitness as determined
by competitive examinations, and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State
expressly provides for the selection of pub-
lic employees through competitive exam-
ination as far_as_ practicable,
‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
our Association heartily endorse the study
now being carried on by the Joint Legisla-
tive Commission, known as the Fite Com-
ion, and recommend the extension of
‘as many positions in po-
ii ass Poel and St the
carliest possible time.

FIVE-DAY WEEK

WHEREAS, the five-day week has be-
come increasingly popular in private in-
dustry, benefiting the health and welfare of
employees,

‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Association ‘continue its study of the
possibilities of the eventual establishment
of the five-day week in State service.

DELAY OF SALARY CHECKS
WHEREAS, salary checks due employees
of the Department of Public Works, Divi-
sion of Unemployment Insurance and Men-
tal Hygiene institutions have been reported
delayed in delivery
‘THEREFORE, "BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Association confer with the necessary
authorities to secure prompt payment of
salaries when due to all State employees.

ADEQUATE FUNDS FOR CLASSIFICA-
TION DIVISION
WHEREAS, this Association drafted,
sponsored and was successful in having en-
acted into law the Feld-Ostertag La
which established the Classification Divi-
sion in the State Civil Service Department,

WHEREAS, the work of the Classifica-
tion Division ‘is so essential to the estab-
lishment of like titles for like work, and
equal pay for equal work, to the exten-
sion of the fair principles embodied in the
Feld-Hamilton Law, to thousands of State
institutional and other workers, and to
the extension of the competitive civil ser-
vice classification in State service,

‘THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
this Association exert every effort to guar-
antee the proper functioning of the Classi-
fication Division through the urging of all
necessary appropriations for its efficient
administration.

The Front Cover

On the front cover of this issue
we have Technical Sergeant Robert
N. Pritchard, of Headquarters Com-
pany, 53rd Infantry Brigade, New
York National Guard, who was in-
ducted into Federal Service October
15th at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Pritchard is
a civil service employee of the State
Department of Audit’ and Control,
Albany. Following induction, the
53rd Infantry Brigade will be sta-
tioned at Fort McClellan, near An-
naston, Alabama. Sergeant Prit-
chard is typical of hundreds of State
workers who are members of the
New York National Guard and re-
serve groups who are at present be-
ing inducted for their year’s Federal
military training.

Department of Social
Welfare
(Continued from page 211)

tion. If one thing above all other is
apparent from the tragic events of the
last year in Europe, it is that a disu-
nited nation is a nation poorly armed
against aggression either from with-
in or from without. If our social
welfare services remain in full force
to meet all social needs as they arise,
the basic morale of our people will
be sound and their energies united.

Much of the need for direct pub-
lic assistance will be wiped out by
increased employment, but much
will also remain, for many classes of
dependents are entirely unaffected
by the ebb and flow of industrial
activity. They are too old or too
young, too ill or too long out of em-
ployment, to be again utilized by
industry. ‘These classes will remain
the wards of society, and society
must not fail them,

CONTEST
CASH PRIZES

See page 228

The State Employee
COCKTAIL LOUNGE
inuiles you
Every afternoon, 4 to 8
Evenings from 9:30
MUSIC+ ENTERTAINMENT » DANCING
The
De Witt CLINTON)

The Leader’s New
Up-State Edition

Celebrating its first birthday, the
“Civil Service Leader” has begun
plans to enlarge its circulation up-
State. With its October 22nd issue,
the Leader has started a special
weekly edition for up-State New
York readers. This is to be on sale at
the newsstands of every city, town
and village throughout the State.

This edition will contain up-to-
the-minute civil service news. Extra
features have been added: (1) In-
creased coverage of State Civil Ser-
vice news, placing greater emphasis
on examination news, progress of
exams, latest certifications and ap-
pointments from the State Civil Ser-
vice Commission. (2) News from
local civil service commissions, in-
cluding examination requirements,
coming lists, changes in rules, new
personnel techniques. (3) Special
features of particular interest, in-
cluding valuable study material,
such as the current material carried
for the coming test of Unemploy-
ment Insurance Referee, and a series
of articles on “How to be a Social

Worker,” by Commissioner David
C. Adie of the Department of Social
Welfare.

Regularly the Leader has pub-
lished exclusive information on the
happenings of the Fite Commission,
which is studying the ways and
means to bring under Civil Service
150,000 employees now working out-
side of civil service in counties,
towns and villages. These articles
explain the many complexities now
facing the commission, and what
will happen when these jobs are
brought under the merit system. The
Leader will continue to publish such
information as it becomes available.

The regular subscription rate of
the Leader is $2.00, however, mem-
bers of the Association may still
take advantage of the special $1.00
introductory offer. See advertise-
ment on another page.

Editor of the Leader is Seward
Brisbane, Jerry Finkelstein is pub-
lisher, and H. Eliot Kaplan is con-
tributing editor and conductor of
the “Question, Please?” column.

Announcing...

Upstate
New York
Edition

Beginning Tuesday, October 22,
The Civil Service Leader publishes
a Special Edition for Upstate New
York readers. It is on sale in every
corner of New York State.

The Leader has increased its
present coverage of State Civil
Service News, and includes news
of every Civil Service Commission
in New York State.

Special Features of Vital
Interest to Upstate New
Yorkers Are Appearing
Regularly.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
at the Special Introductory Offer
for Members of the Association of

State Civil Service Employees of
$1.00 a year (regular price $2.00).

Ci 4 : :
CIVIL SERVICE LEADER
97 Duane Street New York, N. Y.

I enclose (check, money order, cash) $1
for which kindly mail the next 52 issues of
the CIVIL SERVICE LEADER to
Name

Address
(Office, Home)

City .

October

CONTEST ... CASH PRIZES

Ist Prize - - $50.00
2nd Prize - - 20.00
3rd Prize - - 10.00
4th Prize - - 5.00

and 15 additional awards
of $1.00 each.

w

CONTEST RULES

1, Only Association Members with 1940
dues paid may compete in this contest.

2, The Advertising Questionnaire on the
opposite page must be completed and
submitted with the completed state-
ment in order to be considered.

3. Each member may submit only one
entry.

4. The statement must be typed or writ-
ten plainly in longhand on a plain sheet
of white paper, and the name, depart-
ment and address of the member
should be contained on the reverse of
the sheet.

5. The completed statement must be
mailed or delivered so as to reach As-
sociation Headquarters, Room 156,
State Capitol, Albany, N. ¥., by the
10th of November.

6. The selection of the winning statement
by the Special Committee appointed
by the Executive Committee is final,
and the statements will not be re-
turned.

An easy way for members to win CASH
PRIZES, and at the same time help “The
State Employee” to secure the advertising
recognition it deserves.

Just complete the following statement in
FIFTY ADDITIONAL WORDS or less:
“I support The Association of State Civil

Service Employees of the State of New York
by membership because.

Send such statement so as to reach the Con-
test Editor, Association Headquarters, Room
156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y., on or before
November 10th.

It is also necessary to complete the Adver-
tising Questionnaire on the opposite page,
and send it with your completed statement
to compete for the prizes.

ACT NOW! Share in the valuable prizes.
Send your completed statement in TODAY.

Remember, the last date for filing your
statement is November 10th. Don’t forget to
place your name, department and address
on your statement.

The entries will be judged by a Special
Committee and the prizes will be announced
in December issue of “The State Employee.”

Read the “Contest Rules” before preparing
and sending your statement.

Send in Your Entry Today .. With Your Completed
Advertising Questionnaire

228

The State Employee

Members: Please Cooperate! -

Readers of ‘The State Employee” represent tremendous buying power.
Together with their families and dependants, they purchase every necessity
and luxury, product and service.

“The State Employee” is a splendid advertising medium, reaching reg-
ularly employed individuals, containing information obtainable through no
other source and therefore read thoroughly.

Prospective advertisers should be more widely acquainted with the ad-
vertising value of our publication. To accomplish this, the Association must
be in a position to provide definite information concerning the buying habits
and purchasing power of our publication.

You can DO YOUR SHARE in this matter by filling out the questionnaire
below, and sending it to Association Headquarters, Room 156, State Capitol,
Albany, N. Y., PROMPTLY. Cooperation on the part of members will enable
“The State Employee” to secure the advertising patronage it rightly deserves.

Those now responsible for the editing and publication of ‘The State Em-
ployee” merit your help. Remember, advertising income helps to make your
magazine more attractive and desirable. Patronize the advertisers in your
official publication, and suggest the use of its columns to your merchants.

(DETACH HERE and send to Association Headquarters, Room 156, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y.)

The detailed information contained on this questionnaire will be kept confidentially at
Association Headquarters. The Association is interested only in the total or gross purchasing
power or buying habits of the readers of THE STATE EMPLOYEE.”

1, How many persons in your household come in contact with "THE STATE EMPLOYEE"? Male..
How many readers of "THE STATE EMPLOYEE” in your household own automobiles?
How many use cosmetics?

4. How many use cigarettes? .

Cigars?

Does your family own their own home? Any additional property?

er ep

What are the favorite sports or hobbies of yourself and the members of your family?
1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. Approximately what mileage do you travel yearly on Railroads?....

we BUSES? sve Automobiles?....

8. How do you usually spend your vacation? On cruises?..... . At seashore’... .. Mountain resorts?.

9. How many times on an average during a month do members of your household attend movies?

10. How often during the year do you or members of your household visit New York City? ....
* Buffalo...

uu. Rochester...

sum Syracuse.. _. Albany.

11. What is the approximate yearly total income of all members of your household combined? .....
Name of Employee. Department. Address.

October

229
MAC MILLEN’S

BUDGET
PLAN
Price | Payment Paynert
$ 50.00 | $ 5.00 | $ 1.00
75.00 7.50 1.50
95.00 | 10.00 2.00
150.00 15.00 | 3.00
189.00 | 19.00 | 4.00
250.00 | 25.00 | 5.00
300.00 | 30.00 | 6.00
500.00 | 50.00 | 10.00

If more convenient, |monthly
terms arranged

Shop MacMillen’s and be sure
of your value and our services

WHAT IF...

It were “lights out’ tomorrow and you
could never see again?

DON’T NEGLECT YOUR MOST
VALUABLE POSSESSION

Have your eyes examined—this week
Irving Vics
Optometrist Optician
at the
W. T. GRANT CO, 57 No. Pearl St.

COMPLETE OPTICAL SERVICE
AT MOST REASONABLE PRICES

aS 2Vs &

THE NURSERY STUDIO
117 SOUTH LAKE AVE. _ Tel. 6-3141
Licensed day nursery for children from
2 to 6 years under Medical Supervision.
Open from 8:30 A.M, to 6:90 P.M. Grade
"A" milk twice daily, hot mid-day
lunch, afternoon nap, juvenile crafts,
folk songs and stories, Also a large
enclosed well equipped play yard.

230

Report of the Treasurer

The following report in digested form was submitted by the Treasurer,
Earl P. Pfannebecker, at the annual meeting on October 15th. This report
was accompanied by a complete record of every receipt and disbursement
during the period, and by a statement verifying the balances on hand in the
various banks signed by officials of the respective banks.

REGULAR MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT

Cash Balance, October 3, 1939 $16,661.93
Receipts — October 3, 1939 to October 15, 1940:
Membership Dues ‘ $34,247.24
Interest, National Savings Bank 109,38
Interest, City and County Savings Bank 101.54
From Advertising in “The State Employee” 2,150.46
Total Receipts . $36,608.62
Total to be accounted for. $53,270.55
Accounted for as follows:
Expenditures:
Printing of “The State Employee,” bulletins,
yamphlets and other material $15,109.22
Office supplies and stationery, including paper, en-
velopes, mimeograph, multigraph and address-
ing machine .... 1,115.31
Postage 2,168.23
Telephone and Telegraph 437.02
Legislative Index Service 100.00
New office equipment, including desk, light fix-
tures, multigraph, wardrobe, typewriter, chairs,
vari-typer, and filing cabinets 977.72
Surety Bonds, officers and employees 4750
Employees Annuity Policy, to be deducted from
salary payments 305.30
Newspaper Clipping Service 87.30
Unemployment and Social Security Taxes 602.34
Expenses of officers, representatives and all com-
mittees, including traveling expenses 2,714.93
Miscellaneous expenses, including Post Office box
rental, advertising commission, eapreeecy con-
dolence messages, etc. . 390.48
Salaries:
Counsel 2,400.00
Executive Secretary 2,849.93
Office Employees 2,741.86
Total Expenditures $32,047.14
Cash Balance, October 15, 1940 21,223.41
Total Accounted for $53,270.55
Deposited as follows:
National Commercial Bank and Trust Co., Albany. $10,343.15
National Savings Bank, Albany 5,538.72
City and County Savings Bank, Albany 5,141.54
Manufacturers Trust Co., New York City 200.00
Total, as above. $21,223.41

(Continued on page 233)

The State Employee
Local Activities.

Rome Golf Association

Two teams were chosen from
among the golfers at Rome State
School, and as a result of plan on
September 26, 27 and 28, Team No.
1, composed of Neiman Brown,
Captain; Joseph Wissman, Leo Le-
Duke, Frank French, William
Evans and Dr. Arthur Schwartz,
defeated Team No. 2, composed of
Fred Gubbins, Captain; Dr. Edward
Dake, William Kunes, Ernest Hay,
George Holmes, Charles Ohmart
and George Pardee. The score was
4 to 3, Medalist was Neiman Brown
with a score of 87 for the 18 hole
Beaverbrook course.

A dinner was held following the
plan at which prizes were awarded
to members of the winning team.
Plans were made to hold a handicap
individual tournament later.

Ithaca Elects

The State College of Agriculture
at Ithaca, Chapter of the Associa-
tion, had its annual meeting and
election of officers on September 10.
The following officers were elected:

President, Paul Swartwood; Vice
President, Clarence Dickens; Secre-
tary, Elmer Alvord; Treasurer,
James Watt.

The Homer Biggs Hospital Chap-
ter at Ithaca united with the State
College of Agriculture Chapter to
conduct a field day recently at
Taughanock State Park. About 200
members and their families attended.
A ball game between the two groups
was held in the afternoon, with the
Hospital Chapter ahead 12 to 6,

when the game was called because of
rain.

Orangeburg Officers

At the Annual Meeting and Elec-
tion of the Rockland State Hospital
Chapter of the Association, held Sep-
tember 3rd, the following officers
and delegates were elected to serve
for the ensuing year:

President, Frank Cadigan; Vice
President, Ann Gottlieb; Recording
Secretary, Margaret Merritt; Finan-
cial Secretary, Edward Robarge;
Treasurer, Oswald Graff; Delegates:
Margaret Merritt and Robert Ort-
lieb; Alternate Delegates: Arthur
Gifford and Edmund T. Logue.

October

N. Y. C. Follows State
Lead

Setting a good example for private
industry to follow, the City of New
York will pay salaries of its employ-
ees who are National Guardsmen,
members of the Naval Reserve, and
other reserve groups who are in-
ducted into Federal Service. This is
in line with the action taken by the
State on the same matter as it per-
tains to State employees.

Joseph D. McGoldrick, New York
City Comptroller, last week issued a
memorandum to city departments
clarifying this matter. He stated
that city employees who are mem-
bers of the reserve corps or force in
the Federal military, naval or ma-
rine service, who are ordered on
military or naval duty, can leave
their regular jobs. No leaves of ab-
sence are necessary or will be grant-
ed, he added, since such employees
are fully protected by Section 245 of
the State Military Law. For the first
thirty days an employee receives his
full salary. After the first 30 days,
he receives the difference if any, be-
tween his city salary and his military
pay.

There is undoubtedly a goodly
share of private industry throughout
the State which would be in a po-
sition to treat their employees in the
same manner as the State of New
York and the City of New York,
so far as their military duty is con-
cerned. It is apparent that only a
small percentage of all employees are
to be affected under present plans.

Rochester Minstrel Show

The Employees’ Association of the
Rochester State Hospital will spon-
sor a Minstrel Show and Follies of
1941, to be held in the Auditorium
of Rochester State Hospital on No-
vember 12th and 13th at 8:00 P.M.
The show is under the direction of
‘Andru Horton, who has successfully
directed two such entertainments in
the past for the Association. There
will be a cast of over 50 talented As-

. sociation members. Regular admis-

sion will be only 50c. Reserved seats
can be purchased for 60c.

Night Courses
In Albany

Dr. Harold R. Enslow, Director
of Training of the Division of
Placement and Unemployment In-
surance, recently announced that
evening education courses have been
arranged which will be available to
State employees in the Capital Dis-
trict.

These courses at present are being
conducted in Room 1318, Standard
Building, 112 State Street, Albany.
‘The fee for each of these courses is
$5.00 payable to the instructors. The
times of these courses are as follows:

Public Finance: Dr. Chester Pond,
Acting Director of Research, State
Tax Department, on Monday eve-
nings at 7:30 P.M.

Statistics: Dr. David Schneider,
President, Albany Chapter, Ameri-
can Statistical Association, Director,
Bureau of Research and Statistics,
State Department of Social Welfare,
on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 P.M.

Economics: Dr. William Bennett,
Professor of Economics, Union Col-
lege, on Wednesday evenings at
7:30 P.M.

‘Accounting: Mr. Henry Tullock,
Accounting Department, General
Electric Company, on Thursday eve-
nings at 7:30 P.M.

Persons interested in attending
should meet with the instructors at
the place and times indicated. In-
formation may be obtained by tele-
phoning Dr. H. R. Enslow, Albany
3-1111, Extension 365.

Babylon Dinner

The Eleventh Annual Shore Din-
ner and Field Day of the Babylon
Section of the New York State As-
sociation of Highway Engineers was
held on Saturday afternoon, Sep-
tember 28th at “Karatsonyi’s,” Glen-
wood Landing, on the North Shore
of Long Island.

A’ very interesting program of
sports occupied the gathering dur-
ing the course of the afternoon, with
numerous prizes being awarded.

A buffet lunch was served at va-
rious booths on the grounds, and late
in the afternoon over five hundred
of the Engineers and their many
friends enjoyed the regular shore
dinner,

231
Important Facts

ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS PLAN

1, Accident or illness disability
under this plan must be such that
MEDICAL ATTENTION IS RE-
QUIRED EVERY SEVEN DAYS
during any period of disability for
which claim is being made. This
provision is beneficial because mod-
ern and efficient medical treatment
will result in quicker recovery.

2. Misrepresentation in the appli-
cation for the insurance, whether in-
tentional or not, may VOID ANY
CLAIM, and result in cancellation
of the policy. A copy of each appli-
cation is attached to the policy, and
if your application does not contain
correct information, it is to your in-
terest to advise the insurance com-
pany.

3. Notice of claim must be filed
at once with any of the offices of
the Company, with Association
Headquarters, or with Ter Bush &
Powell, Inc., 423 State Street, Sche-
nectady, N. Y.

4, The employee must be on duty
and regularly employed when his
or her insurance becomes effective.

5. Claims are paid promptly by
the various claim offices throughout
the State.

6. Membership in the Association
is required when the insurance be-
comes effective because it was
through the efforts of the Associa-
tion that the group plan of accident
and sickness insurance came into
being.

Non-Occupational Accidents

80% of all the insurance issued
under the group plan of accident and
sickness insurance is issued on a non-
occupational Accident basis. All
State workers are covered by law
under the New York State Work-
man’s Compensation Insurance Act,
so that if they are injured in line of
duty, they should be compensated
from the State for that accident.

Under the new form of accident
and sickness insurance, which was
made available to members about a
year ago, coverage for non-occupa-
tional accidents has now been ex-
tended to five years, due to the fact,
as stated above, that for occupational
accidents, or accidents occurring
while at work, coverage is already

232

provided by the Workman’s Com-
pensation Act.

Experience has proved that 90%
of all disabilities are caused by ill-
ness, so that the main coverage that
is necessary is for sickness. Most
accidents are non-occupational, oc-
curring while at recreation, sports,
on icy pavements, doing things you
are not used to, or in the home.

Of course, occupational coverage
may be purchased under the group
plan but under certain conditions
and at a different rate. It has been
attempted to provide coverage for
all workers.

Completing the Application

In making out the application for
accident and sickness insurance, be
very careful to answer every ques-
tion completely, giving all necessary
details. A chronic illness, whether
cured or not, is an important fact,
and must be stated in the applica-
tion, If the questions asked are
answered truthfully and completely
there will be no question when claim
arises. The application becomes a
part of the policy, and in order to
avoid a breach of warranty, ques-
tions must be answered honestly and
completely.

Testimonials

By writing to the Association or
to Ter Bush & Powell, Inc., 423
State Street, Schenectady, you may
obtain the booklet entitled, “We
Paid Them.” This booklet contains
testimonial letters received from
workers throughout the State who
received benefits under the accident
and sickness insurance.

From a satisfied employee at Har-
lem Valley State Hospital comes the
statement:

“T want to thank your company
for the wonderful manner in which
my recent claim was handled. I am
entirely satisfied, and I shall highly
recommend the Loyalty Group to
my fellow employees. Again thank-
ing you for your kind and prompt
attention to this matter, I remain,”

A letter from an employee of the
Department of Labor states:

“TI received your two checks
promptly, in settlement of the acci-
dent and health policy, for which

I wish to thank you. Quite a few of
my associates have taken out a policy
at my recommendation, most of
whom are right in my division.
Words cannot adequately express the
kindness and courtesy I have been
shown by the members of your office
during my illness,”

An insured employee at Willard
makes the following statement:

“Nothing helps quite so much
through a bewildering illness as the
fact that there will be financial aid.
Nearly everyone has some family
responsibility which is a source of
worry when a person is unable to
attend to the business routine; Tam
still amazed at the promptness and
lack of red tape with which the ad-
justment was made. I have carried
many sick and accident policies, but
never was more satisfied and I hope
that I may continue in the group
plan for a long time.”

This one from Long Island:

“T obtained three new members
by advertising the prompt and effi-
cient way you settle claims, etc.
When I took your insurance out, it
was with the thought that I never
would have to use it, for I have not
been sick for a large number of
years. But now being a widow with
a family and a home to maintain,
you can rest assured what a com-
fort and blessing it recently proved
to be, when I became sick and could
rely on this insurance to see me
through. In closing, I would like to
add that I will always boost this in-
surance to all my fellow employees.”

The few cases of dissatisfaction
that have come to our attention are
caused by misstatements made by
the employee in his application, or
by failure to mention the existence
of a chronic condition at the time the
application was filed.

A few examples of this difficulty
are as follows:

Case No. 1. A person who car-
ried this insurance, had been ex-
amined, put in the hospital, ob-
served and diagnosed for ‘Tubercu-
losis over a period of a month prior
to the completion of the application.

(Continued on page 233)

The State Employee
Report of the Treasurer

(Continued from page 230)

SPECIAL INSURANCE ACCOUNT

Cash on Hand, June 1, 1939.,.....::ssesnennens seen

- None
Cash Receipts:
Group Life “T” Rate Differential.......... $13,965.00
Cash Group Life Premiums paid in to Association
Office ....... 7,946.25
Cash Hospitalization Premiums Paid to ““Associa-
tion Office .. sonst 673.36
Total Money to Account for «$22,584.61
Accounted for as follows:
Cash Expenditures:
Cash Group Life Premium Forwarded to Insur-
ance Company Agent... . $ 7,946.25
Cash Hospitalization Premiums Forwarded to
Associated Hospital Service, Inc........ 673.36
Refunds Made to State Comptroller, Group Life
Insurance .... . 553.70
Printing of portion of “State Employee,” “Bul-
letins and Circulars 2,200.00
Postage . 1,750.00
Office equipment, including one file unit, two filing
cabinets, two tables, one vari-typer machine,
one multigraph machine 680.78
Office supplies, machine repalty stationery, and
forms ‘ " . 997.44
Office salaries 4,978.56
Counsel’s salary 1,800.00
Unemployment and Social ‘Security Taxe 271.05
Expenses of Association officers, selematcs and
representatives i i siccrovusees; ~—“SO092
Total Expenditures ....... $22,258.06
Cash Balance, October 15, 1940 .... 326.55
Total Accounted for. as $22,584.61
Attached is letter from the First Trust Company, Albany,
New York, stating, as of October 14, 1940, balance,
less outstanding checks.
Total, as above. $ 326.55

FEATURING FOR WOMEN

SELBY STYL-EEZ
at $6.50

CANTILEVER
$6.95 up

BURGESS
SHOE SHOP

26 Maiden Lane
In the Broadway Arcade Building *

y. N.Y. Dial 5-4574

MIMEOGRAPH PAPERS
DUPLICATING STENCILS
INKS and MACHINES

Cc. W.

91-93 No. Pearl Street

LEWIS

ALBANY

October

Important Facts About Ac-
cident and Sickness Plan
(Continued from page 232)

No reference or history was given in
the application indicating these ex-
aminations or hospitalization, prior
to taking out the insurance, and the
person stated that to the best of his
knowledge and belief that he was
free from diseases, infirmities, and
that he had never been treated for,
nor advised that he had tubercu-
losis.

Case No. 2. This was a case of
Rheumatism. This person had two
attacks previous to making out his
application, each of several months
duration, and each severe enough to
have caused the patient to take a
leave of absence—both of which
were concealed in executing the ap-
plication a short time after the at-
tacks,

Case No. 3. This was sciatic neu-
ritis. This insured was disabled for
nearly two months previous to
making out this application. Noth-
ing was said in the application about
such a disability, and naturally when
he presented a claim within a short
time after the policy became effec-
tive, his claim was turned down,
premiums returned, and the policy
cancelled.

Out of the many applications re-
ceived, only a few cover up some
chronic disease or ailment, which if
stated would prevent the issuance of
a policy. Several hundred people
every month are receiving their
share of the more than $15,000 in
benefits, paid out under the plan
during the periods of disability of
the insured.

This article gives the facts con-
cerning the group plan of accident
and sickness insurance. How it
started, how it operates and what
the State worker thinks about it.
If additional information is desired,
write to C. A. Carlisle, Jr., of Ter
Bush & Powell, Inc., 423 State St.,
Schenectady, N. Y.

Remember, a deduction of 65
cents a payday will give a monthly
income of $50.00 during accident
and sickness disability _ periods.
Where can you make a better invest-
ment?

233

New Books

Compiled by the
Book Information Section of the
New York State Library
The Defenders; tr. from the German
by Ludwig Lewisohn, by Franz
Hoellering. Little. $2.75.

A brilliant, searching evocation of
Austria and more particularly of
Vienna in those days in the 1930's
when the Nazis were coming into
the ascendancy, and the workers
were organizing themselves into a
Defense Corps to fight for their
liberty and their rights. In a cross-
section of the city, embracing work-
er, scholar, aristocrat, men and wo-
men with their widely varying in-
dividualities and emotions, the story
reveals this struggle in its broader
aspects while finding its center in
a young and beautiful girl, whose
love for a member of the Defense
Corps carries the reader into the
very heart of suspense and anguish.

Happy Highway, by F. B. Young.
Reynal. $2.50.

Rebellious, and irritated by the
mere role of money-maker to which
his spendthrift family has relegated
him, fifty-year-old Owen Lucton sets
out one evening from his new and
hated Tudor mansion and does not
return. Though obliged constantly
to dodge identification and ever be-
coming the innocent center of one
disturbance or another, he leads a
satisfying life of picturesque adven-
ture in the English and Wales coun-
tryside, finally settling down in a
humble haven of peace and quiet
till circumstances necessitate a sud-
den decision and an unexpected end-
ing. A pleasing “escape” story, in-
troducing English characters of vari-
ous types against charmingly de-
picted English scenes.

Inquest, by Percival Wilde. Random
House. $2.

Two murders occur during a
week-end party at the Connecticut
home of an elderly woman, who has
become wealthy from the writing of
trashy novels, Leisurely inquest
hearings ensue, financially profitable
to the coroner and enlightening both
as to the character of the hostess her-
self and of the questioned, who in-
clude a publisher, a philosophic

234

house-man, a hostile critic, a devoted
friend, a grasping relative. Revela-
tory of the pungent speech and
other characteristics of New En-
glanders, this is a mystery tale,
which, while written with apparent
simplicity, is developed and unfold-
ed with consummate skill.

Jacoby’s Corners, by Jake Falstaff.
Houghton. $2.50.

In the days when automobiles
were still scaring horses, city-bred
Lemuel, “twelve, going on thirteen,”
goes out to the farming country of
Ohio to spend his vacation with his
Grandma Nadeli and the neighbor-
ing uncles, aunts and cousins. A
spirit of kindliness, gaiety, comfort
and peace emanates from these cap-
tivating pages, which recreate the
summer days and the boy’s happi-
ness as he is initiated into farm life,
its pleasures and excitements, as well
as its chores. Marked by the author's
deep love of the land, and his joy
in the native waggery and speech
and the fine homespun qualities of
the people.

Landfall, by N. S. Norway (“Nevil
Shute,” pseud.), Morrow. $2.50.
An R. A. F. pilot's sinking of an
unidentified submarine in the En-
glish Channel and its repercussions,
both on his own mind and career
and on the fine young snack-bar
waitress who loves him, are por-
trayed with dramatic and moving
effect, through the progressive stages
of hopeless despair, uncertainty, sus-
pense and finally the mystery’s solu-
tion.

NON-FICTION
Big River to Cross, by B. L. Burman.
Day. $3.

Picturesque, genuine and wholly
delightful interpretation of the
“beautiful, cruel, fascinating, ter-
rible and always unpredictable”
Mississippi and the river people,
written after years of travel and ob-
servation. A wealth of colorful anec-
dotes illustrates the spirit and ways,
both of the individuals who live on
the banks, and of the river folk
themselves, shanty boater and steam-
boater, and the worker on the
packet, towboat, light tender and
dredge. Drawings by Alice Cady.

My Life in a Man-made Jungle, by
B. J. Benchley. Little. $3.

Fifteen years ago, the author start-
ed as bookkeeper in the zoological
garden of San Diego, rapidly ad-
vancing to the headship of the zoo
staff. Mrs. Benchley’s never-waning
interest in watching the animals, her
concern for their happiness and wel-
fare, her love for some of them and
theirs for her, render this narrative
of her experiences enchanting from
the first page to the last, whether
she is playing foster-mother to a
lonely little homesick tapir, making
friends with two aristocratic gorillas,
or relating incidents illustrative of
animal traits and habits. Photo-
graphs, F

Pilgrim’s Way, by John Buchan
(Lord Tweedsmuir). Hough-
ton. $3.

Lord Tweedsmuir has set down a
finely-drawn record of how the sur-
face of life has appeared to one
pilgrim at different stages. These
stages have been many, from
a “gipsy” childhood and intimacy
with the Border shepherds of
Scotland, to Oxford and a brilliant
circle, war in South Africa and the
World War, years as politician and
writer, and as Governor-General of
Canada. The narrative has the ex-
hilaration of the man’s many-sided
interests, his love of nature, his
genius for friendships; indeed his
pen-portraits are of outstanding in-
terest and artistic excellence in an
excellent and delightful book. Por-
trait frontispiece.

Sanctuary, by E. W. Paisley. Dutton.
$2.50.

Having decided at fifty to stay the
year round in a rough little camp a
mile back in the woods of northern
Maine, the author, ten years later,
tells of both the bitter and the sweet
in her experiences, of her first Christ-
mas alone, of the digging of her
well, of learning to fend for herself
winter and summer, of her joy in
the out-of-doors life, and her gradu-
ally growing awareness of the fine-
ness of her village neighbors, who,
she writes, “have given me light—
no, more than that—they, them-
selves, are the light by which I have
found my way.”

The State Employee
Do Not Miss:

The Event of the Year

FALL DANCE

Sponsored by

THE ASSOCIATION OF STATE CIVIL
SERVICE EMPLOYEES

NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER

Saturday Eve., November 9th

NINE O'CLOCK

HOTEL ASTOR - NEW YORK
e

Music by

HOWARD LANIN
and his Hotel Astor Orchestra

Subscription $1.00 Informal

Tickets May Be Secured

In New York City: From your Departmental Delegate or at the N. Y. Credit
Union Office, Room 900, 80 Centre Street, New York City.

Elsewhere: From Association Headquarters, Room 156, State Capitol, Albany.

The Association at w ork ... Merits
Your Active Interest and Support

*qdaq uoTZeONpy 93e38

10

(1) Members visit Headquarters for advice on all employment problems. (2) Over 75; coe a
account record cards used to operate Association's group insurance plans. (3) Nine igsGes
of “THE STATE EMPLOYEE” prepared, edited and published each year. (4) Hundred of
thousands of pieces of mail prepared and mailed yearly. (5) Many services rendered them-
bers at Association Headquarters. (6) Almost 100,000 items on State payrolls checked mofithly
for insurance deductions. (7) 100,000 record cards used in maintaining up-to-date membership.
records. (8) Over $600,000.00 paid to sick or injured or bene! ies under group insupgige:
plans. (9) More than 1,000,000 letterheads, bulletins, records (practically evel
monthly magazine) printed or prepared in Association Headquarte:
40,000 members, newspapers, libraries, et: st be r
EMPLOYEE" mailed each issue. (Over five tons of paper used on each issue.)