The Washington times., 1917-12-28
BYRNS URGES
WAGE SCALE
Of HEATING
BILL FIRST

Congressman Joseph W. Byrns Of
Tennessee, chairman OF the Legislative
subcommittee, soon to hold hearings
on the Heating bill providing for
temporary increases in the wages of
Government employees, today warns
those who would push a bill immedi-
ately through Congress for the COM
plete reclassihcation Of the clerks.
don't hurry"
That q permanent reclassifcation of
the base salary schedule should be
undertaken slowly and with care to
prevent possible serious damage to
the country and to the clerks them
selves, was the essence of a state
ment made to The Times today by
Chairman Byrns.
The chairman OF the important
legislative committee of the House
Appropriations Committee believes
that the matter of the Reconsideration
should be undertaken only by a speci-
ally appointed joint committee COM
posed of Senators and Congressman.
1t Il the opinion of Mr.. Byrns that
this committee would be obliged to
consider carefully compiled data dur
ing an extended sitting before q deci-
sion that would do Justice to all con-
eerned could be rendered.
Has Studied Problem.
Probably no person has made a
more careful study OF the facts and
conditions surrounding the Federal
clerks and their tight for higher
wages than has Mr.. Byrns.
The Congressman wants It clearly
understood that he has no intention
of trying to delay the passage of q
bill that will aid the Government
clerks. However, he wants to be GER
tain that the bill drafted will really
cid the clerks and the country at
large before It is passed. Mr.. Byrns
has always been q friend to the
clerks, and today he cautions them as
. friend not to be swept by enthu-
siasm into trying to force the pas
sage OF q measure unless It is pre-
pared with the greatest care and az
ter elaboration that will require time.
FGvOrs Kesf1nE Bill Now.
That the readjustment Of the wage
scale Is . question OF legislation and
not mere appropriation is stressed by
Mr.. Byrns. He points out that it
would be far better for Congress to
be satisfied with passing the Heating
bill, rather than to pass hurriedly q
bill 20 cover an indefinite period that
might be disastrous in the long run.
In spite OF published reports to the
contrary, Mr.. Byrns says that no de-
Ante date has been set for the next
hearing on the Keating bill. How
ever, he says that the hearing will
be hOld as soon as the committee
can be assembled He believes that
Il will be near the end OF the month
before the bill IL reported in the
House.
In view of the far-reAchinE ef-
fectB Of any Reconsideration that
might take place, Mr.. Byrns says,
"T'm for you, but let's don't hurry"
The statement of Congressman
Byrns follows:
COBEresEnan's Statement.
81 do not say that a complete re-
classification Of Government en-
ployes cannot be completed during
this session Of Congress, for there Is
no telling how long this session will
last However, do not see how
Congress can take the time from
other things to give the time to this
matter that 1t deserves, especially
when we consider that a measure is
now pending which would relieve the
situation until Congress could have
time to act finally.
THE only way this important meas
ure could be treated in the way 1t de-
serves is by the appointment of a
Joint committee which would sit for
q long period considering the case
from every angle. The matter might
be taken up during a recess provided
the committee members were willing
to remain. It is not a question for the
House Appropriation Committee, but
q matter for q special legislative COM
mittee composed OF both Senators and
Congressman
"a recIassification would mean the
installation of an entirely new sys-,
tenn It would reach every corner OF
the country and directly touch thou
sands Of people. II would be meant to
last over q period OF many years. The
classification now in effect has lasted
many years
Congress Needs Infor7atiOn.
There are very few members Of
Congress who have any definite infor-
nation that would go very far toward
drafting an adequate Reconsideration
bill. 1t would not be fair to have