MINUTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE FPOA EXECUTIVE BOARD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
OCTOBER 8 - 11, 1967
Sunday, October 8, 1967.
Present for all Meetings: Albert Wahl, President; Ben S. Meeker, Executive Vice President; Kirkwood L. Hanrahan, Secretary-Treasurer; Logan A. Webster, Vice president, Northeast; O. Leon Garber, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic; James Elmo Turner, Vice President, Southeast; William G. Zastrow, Vice President, Great Lakes; Kennith O. Beighle, Vice President, Central; Leslie C. Reed, Vice President, Far West.
The meeting was convened by President Al Wahl at 1:00 p.m. at the Prince George Hotel, New York, New York. Logan A. Webster, Chief U. S. Probation Officer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recently elected Vice President from the Northeast Area, was welcomed to the Executive Board.
It was reported that Marshall K. McKinney, Editor, FPOA Newsletter, was recovering from a heart attack, has been released from the hospital and is now at home. He is not yet able to assume his duties as Chief U. S. Probation Officer at E. St. Louis, Illinois, but is rapidly improving. His presence will be missed at this Board Meeting and it was moved, seconded, and carried that greetings be sent to Marshall by way of a card signed by all Members of the Board. William G. Zastrow, Area Vice President for the Great Lakes Area, was requested to fill in for Marshall McKinney in preparing notes for the FPOA Newsletter.
Mr. Arch E. Sayler, Chief U. S. Probation Officer for the Southern District of New York, at New York City, and actually host to this meeting of the Board, and James F. Haran, Chief U. S. probation Officer for the Eastern District of New York at Brooklyn, New York, were guests of the meeting.
It was pointed out that Mr. Merrill Smith, Chief of Probation, would be with us during the afternoon of this date and a nine-point agenda, as follows, was agreed upon for discussion with Mr. Smith:
(1) Grade 13 for senior officers
(2) Mileage increase from 10~ to 12~ per mile
(3) Reactivation of field and personnel meetings
(4) Consolidation
(5) Community Treatment Center and the Probation Officer's role in connection with same
(6) Status of the Federal Judicial center
(7) Review of the Judicial Salary plan
(8) Prospects for Salary Raises
(9) Prospects for increase in per diem
After minor changes in the Minutes which had been previously submitted to all Members of the Board, it was moved, seconded and carried that the Minutes be approved without further reading.
The Treasurer's Report was submitted and approved as submitted with a copy of same being made a part of these Minutes. It was further moved, seconded and carried that the money now on savings with the N. C. National Bank, Raleigh, N. C., be withdrawn and added to the Treasurer's checking account if and when necessary.
At this point it was pointed out by the Secretary-Treasurer that the records of the Federal Probation Officers Association were getting more voluminous all of the time and that the exchange of these records from Secretary-Treasurer to Secretary-Treasurer was becoming more expensive. It was moved, seconded, and carried that three national officers be appointed as a committee for archives and the storing of these records.
It was moved, seconded, and carried after due discussion relative to the fact that the membership of the Association should be aware of the state of the Treasury at all times, that a Treasurer's Report be summarized and prepared after every meeting.
Northeast Area Vice President Logan Webster was appointed by President Al Wahl as Chairman of the Economics Committee and Central Area Vice President Kennith Beighle was appointed Chairman of the Membership Committee. It was suggested that the records of the Economics Committee and the Membership Committee be forwarded to the respective Chairmen of the said Committees.
President Al Wahl reported that the Community Relations Guide Monograph is now in the process of preparation with 1,000 copies being printed. A copy of this Monograph will be forwarded to each member of the Association. The University of California did the printing of this Monograph at a very nominal charge.
The Professional Standards Committee submitted its report and a copy of that report is being made a part of these Minutes. After a brief discussion of this report, further discussion was continued until the following day.
Mr. Merrill Smith, Chief of Probation from the Administrative Office, Washington, D. C., appeared as a guest of the Association and the previously agreed upon agenda was discussed item by item. Mr. Smith pointed out that promotions from one grade to another have been too automatic, contrary to the original intention of the Judicial Salary Plan. It may be that Grade 13, or a Senior Officer Grade, could possibly be the answer to these automatic promotions. The question was raised as to whether or not this is an effort to take care of the older officers or to open a new position for promotion. The FPOA should prepare a clear-cut proposal and present same to the Administrative Office for consideration.
As previously pointed out) the raise in mileage from l0¢ to 12¢ can be accomplished only when the Department of Justice authorizes such a raise within that Department. The possible use of the General Services Administration car pool was discussed and it was agreed that the feasibility of such would be studied further.
It was suggested that joint meetings between the Probation Field Officers and institutional personnel might not be too good an idea, particularly at this time. The efforts made in the past toward consolidation have caused some apprehensiveness among the Probation Officers and many might feel that this was just another step toward such consolidation.
Mr. Smith reviewed some of the problems that gave rise to efforts toward reorganization or consolidation, by whatever name. He pointed out that the FPOA is vital to probation work as a whole and that the Association should address itself to the problems that gave rise to the consolidation efforts. He pointed out that standardization of the Presentence Report has not been followed. He pointed out the difficulty that has arisen relative to the transfer of supervision of cases between districts. He discussed the lack of security or tenure of office and pointed out that there is not enough authority in the Administrative Office. The law puts the Probation Officer directly under the supervision of the Court and this, of course, is one of the basic problems. The FPOA should look into this and give guidance. If these “holes are not plugged" there will probably be some drastic change in the system as a whole.
The Community Treatment Center does create a new community resource to the Probation Officer and it is anticipated that such centers can be used from time to time for selective probation cases.
The Federal Judicial Center has not yet been established, primarily because the Compromise Bill submitted by the Probation Committee of the Judicial Conference is yet to be submitted to Congress.
A review of the Judicial Salary Plan may create more problems and cause more trouble than the current system. It is anticipated, however, that there can and will be in the future a review of the Judicial Salary Plan to determine its weaknesses and its strengths. The prospects of salary raises are undetermined. Such, of course, will depend upon the action of Congress. The same thing will be true relative to any increase in per diem.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 9~ 1967
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at the U. S. Probation Office for the Southern District of New York, in New York City. The host office very thoughtfully provided coffee and sweet buns for the Board. All Board Members were present and James Haran, Chief U. S. probation Officer, Brooklyn, New York, was present as a guest. Mr. Arch Sayler, Chief U. S. Probation Officer, New York, New York, dropped in from time to time as a guest.
The Professional Standards Committee Report was concluded. It was pointed out that probation has been neglected by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency contrary to that Council's original purpose. It was pointed out that there are more probation cases than under any other treatment program and there is a definite need to create a better image by selling probation. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency is again returning to the need to include probation personnel. More participation in community affairs, colleges, universities, State and local organizations is encouraged. It was suggested that a survey be conducted to determine what the Probation Officers are doing in the way of seminars, internship and participation in local and State organizations. Such should be documented and it should be determined what can and should be done toward encouraging this participation. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Association again request the Probation Committee of the Judicial Conference and the Administrative Office for a designated public relations man.
The Doyle Award Committee submitted its report. It was pointed out that the deadline nominations for the Doyle Award had been extended from July 15, 1967 to August 1, 1967 and there were two nominations for the 1967 Doyle Award, one being Mr. John P. Jarvis, Chief U. S. Probation Officer for the Eastern District of Kentucky at Lexington, Kentucky, and Mr. George Gilpin, Chief U. S. Probation Officer for the Western District of Texas at San Antonio, Texas. It was pointed out that this was one more nomination in number than was submitted for the previous year. The ballots were opened in the presence of the Board with three for Mr. Gilpin and two for Mr. Jarvis. Mr. George Gilpin was the unanimous selection of the Board as the 1967 recipient of the Richard Doyle Award. The proper arrangements will be made for the presentation of the award to Mr. Gilpin by the Chief Judge of his Court. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Vice President for the Central States Area be present at the presentation of the award. It was pointed out that many of the members of the Association perhaps have the feeling that this is an award for Chief U. S. Probation Officers and nothing could be further from the truth. It was suggested that the Newsletter should emphasize the importance of the Doyle Award and encourage more nominations with qualifications properly documented for the Richard E. Doyle Award.
The Legislative Committee Report was submitted and that report is made a part of these Minutes. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Federal Probation Officers Association go on record as supporting House Bill 10511 to authorize the Attorney General to admit to Residential Community Centers persons who are placed on probation or released on parole or mandatory release.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12:30 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Probation Office for the Southern District of New York. This was the time for the scheduled meeting with Mr. Walter Dunbar, Chairman of the U. S. Board of Parole; however, he had extended his regrets that the pressure of his duties prevented his presence at this meeting. It was suggested that the Federal probation Officers Association Board go on record as supporting favorable Bills submitted to Congress. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Board go on record as endorsing Senate Bill 521 and House Bill 463 which would base retirement annuities on the three years of average salary instead of the present five-year average salary and that the annuities for employees engaged in hazardous activities be increased from 2% to 2 ½ %.
It was moved, seconded and carried that the Board go on record as endorsing House Bill 287 which relates to compensation to retirees for unused days of sick leave credited to their service time.
Mr. Glenn Petty, Acting Chief of the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Branch, Division of Field Investigation, National Institute of Mental Health, U. S. Public Health Service of the Department of Health, Education & Welfare, 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, appeared before the Board and gave a lengthy and interesting summation of the new Narcotics Act.
The Report of the Advisory Research and Training Committee was submitted through the Chairman of that Committee and this report is being made a part of these Minutes. It was pointed out that no money was set up for training. It was moved, seconded and carried that the recommendations or the Committee be adopted.
It was pointed out by Mr. Leslie C. Reed, Area Vice President for the Far West, of the great need for psychiatric or psychological consultations with the staffs of the individual probation offices. The Report of the Economics Committee was submitted through its Chairman and same is made a part of these Minutes. It was pointed out that changes in classification within the Judicial Salary Plan must be justified by job descriptions and titles. It was further pointed out that before the Judicial Salary Plan can be reopened we must have a system-wide stand. Specialized functions and supervision functions need to be emphasized and there must be a focus on responsibilities. The Federal Probation Officers Association Board is committed to help in every way possible to relieve the inequities existing as to the Clerk-Stenographers in our system. We are further committed to a survey relative to the Senior Probation Officer positions. Further studies along this line were again referred to the Economics Committee.
The Report of the Liaison Committee was submitted through the Chairman of that Committee and same is being made a part of these Minutes.
The Report of the Projects Committee was submitted through the Chairman of that Committee. The directory of probation officers and their qualifications was discussed. It was pointed out that the printing of this can probably be secured for free through the University of California except for cost and materials. It was moved, seconded and carried that rather than proceed with a new task relative to this directory, that the current directory be kept up to date by the use of inserts. It was moved, seconded and carried that this be a permanent assignment for the Projects Committee.
It was pointed out that there is no need to update the Civil Rights Publication at this time. It was moved, seconded and carried, however, that the Projects Committee continue its survey. The Firearms Act was discussed and it was decided that the Projects Committee should drop this issue. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Projects Committee prepare a brochure setting forth felony registration requirements of various communities, this brochure to be circulated among the membership of the Association. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 10, 1967
The meeting reconvened at 8:30 8.m. in the Conference Room of the U. S. Probation Office for the Southern District of New York.
The Membership Committee submitted its report through the Chairman of that Committee. It was pointed out that as of this date we had a total membership of 527 plus 7 members prepaid in 1966, for a grand total of 534 members. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Membership Committee will continue to "plug" for additional members for 1967. It was suggested that new members should be advised of the accomplishments of the Federal Probation Officers Association.
Under the heading of communications, a letter was read from Chief U. S. Probation Officer Arch Sayler of the Southern District of New York, regarding the Federal probation Officers Association membership, the Newsletter, and the Presentence Reports as related to the Institutional Classification Report. Same is made a part of these Minutes.
It was moved, seconded and carried that the Secretary prepare a summary of the meeting and send same to the Presiden4 with a copy to all Area Vice Presidents, for review with a view toward distribution among the Membership in order that the membership might be aware of the activities of the Board at the Board Meetings.
A letter was read from Chief U. S. Probation Officer Marshall McKinney, Editor of the Federal Probation Officers Association Newsletter, regarding the intent and purposes of the Federal Probation Officers Association Newsletter. It was suggested that non-members should be permitted to subscribe to the Newsletter; however, this was referred to future meetings.
It was moved, seconded and carried that the policy of receiving the Newsletter upon leaving the service after five years membership be reviewed at the next meeting. It was moved, seconded and carried that the present format of the Federal Probation Officers Association Newsletter be continued.
It was suggested that the Probation Officers remember the Federal Probation Officers Association in their wills. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Newsletter budget be upped to $960 for 1968.
A letter was read from the Honorable Walter Dunbar, Chairman of the U. S. Board of Parole, to the effect that Parole Board Members are being encouraged to visit Probation Officers in the field.
A letter was read from Mr. George Gilpin expressing his gratitude for his Certificate of Appreciation for service on the Federal Probation Officers Association Board.
A letter was read from Mr. John C. Carbo, expressing his gratitude for his Certificate of Appreciation for service on the Federal Probation Officers Association Board.
It was moved, seconded and carried that Mr. Edward W. Markowski, Chief U. S. Probation Officer, District of Connecticut, be issued a Certificate of Appreciation for his services on the Federal Probation Officers Association Board.
A letter was read from Mr. William C. Nau, Chief U. S. probation Officer, Columbia, South Carolina, relative to Presentence Reports submitted between two Districts.
A letter was read from Mr. Eric Sullivan, U. S. Probation Officer, New Jersey, in regard to the Hatch Act. This letter was referred to Mr. Logan Webster, Area Vice President for the Northeast Area, for reply.
The entire Board Membership, accompanied by Chief U. S. Probation Officer Arch Sayler, of the New York, New York Office, and Chief U. S. probation Officer James Haran, of the Brooklyn, New York Office, visited the Chambers of The Honorable Sidney Sugarman, Chief Judge of the Southern District of New York, and The Honorable William B. Herlands, Judge of the Southern District of New York and Chairman of the Probation Committee of the Judicial Conference. Both Judges were high in their praise of the Federal Probation System and the Federal Probation Officers Association.
Following this, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. for lunch.
The meeting reconvened at 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Probation Office of the Southern District of New York. As in all previous sessions, all Board Members were present and Mr. James Haran, Chief U. S. Probation Officer of the Brooklyn, New York Office was a guest. Chief U. S. Probation Officer Arch Sayler of the Southern District of New York dropped in from time to time as a guest.
The business of the meeting was resumed under the heading of Communications.
A letter was read from Mr. John L. Brennan, Chief U. S. Probation Officer for the Eastern District of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, requesting that all inquiries to the Military Records Center be directed to the Military Records Center and not to his office for investigation.
The Federal Probation Officers Association Ten-Point Program was discussed in some detail.
It was moved, seconded and carried that Number Three of the Ten-Point Program be resubmitted to the Administrative Office and the Judicial Conference. It was moved, seconded and carried that the Regional or Field Supervisor or Consultant, or whatever name, should be emphasized to the Administrative Office. This is necessary in order that there can be better communications between the field and the Administrative Office.
It was moved, seconded and carried that a survey be made of a Citizens Committee, as recommended by U. S. Probation Officer Morris Kuznesof of the Southern District of New York, said survey to be conducted by the Professional Standards Committee.
It was moved, seconded and carried that Number Ten of the Ten-Point Program be dropped.
It was moved, seconded and carried that visitations to the various institutions by Probation Officers be encouraged whenever possible and that requests for authorization for such visitations should be directed to the Administrative Office.
It was moved, seconded and carried that the Secretary write Mr. Harry Goldsmith, H. & G. Machine and Tool Company, 38-15 30th Street, Long Island, New York, thanking him for the luncheon, with a copy of same to be directed to U. S. Probation Officer Kuznesof of the Southern District of New York who has been instrumental in making this meeting a most pleasant and entertaining one.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays October 11, 1967
The meeting reconvened at the Prince George Hotels New York, New York at 9:00 8.m. with all Board Members being present.
The Board, as a group, called at the office of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Mr. Milton Rector, Director of the National Council, due to circumstances beyond his control, could not meet with us. In his place the meeting was held with Mr. Reed, Assistant Director.
It was pointed out that it appeared that the National Council on Crime and Delinquency was neglecting the probation side of the corrections treatment. Mr. Reed stated that nothing could be further from the truth. He reviewed the history of the Council from the time that it was known as the National Probation and Parole Association to its present name. He pointed out that probation and parole have always been the major facets of the Council and will continue to be. A very interesting and profitable meeting was had.
This October, 1967 meeting of the Executive Board of the Federal Probation Officers Association, at New York, New York, adjourned sine die at 11:30 a.m.
