So what’s the big deal about being able to shift federal employees from one job to another? Most places, it’s called “a job.” You do what the boss says, you don’t like it, go work somewhere else.
I guess that option is still available for the time being.
"Nothing in the directive issued by Mr. McNutt, however, prevents a government employe from leaving voluntarily for any position he may choose to take in private industry, whether for civil or war work.
"However, in a frank reply to a question at a press conference today, Mr. McNutt made it clear that as far as he was concerned he would like to see the government take as complete control of employment in private industry as it has now assumed for government employes within the various Federal departments.
"'Yes, he said, 'it (government control of job transfers) is bound do come. Because this is a total war ind if the right man is to be put in the right place, that authority has got to be vested in one place. It is well to give the voluntary system every chance, but we must be realistic abut this thing.'"