Evening star., 1928-12-16
NEW j. S. PAY BILL /
OFFERED IN HOUSE,
Sirovich Measure Would
Benefit All Those Whom
WeIch Act Did Not.

Drawn to give relief to all Govern
ment employees who did not benefit
under the WEIGH act of May % last,
and the largest amount of increase
$4,000 to these in the lower pay ranges,
q OIL. was introduced in the House
late yesterday by Representative Siro-
vich, Democrat, of New York, a men,
Der of the House civil service COM
mittee.
The $500 maximum is decreased as
the higher salary ratings are ap-
preached and no provision for any
in-rease is carried for those employees
in the higher brackets, who received
important and unexpected increases
under the classification act and the
amending Welch bill.
Meanwhile, with Controller General
McCarl's relative position" theory and
his decision which has succeeded in
knocking out of balance the classifi-
cation schedules standing in the way
Of further pay revisions, Chairman
Lehlbach of the House civil service
committee is awaiting data on his pro-
posed relief measure to correct in
justices and inequities complained Of
under the operation of the classification
act as amended by the Welch act
May %.
Intends Entire Revision.
Mr.. Lehlbach contemplates an entire
revision of the classification act, and,
in addition, intends to seek complete
revision Of the employment policy of
the Government A comprehensive
report on this subject is now being
drawn up by the Personnel Classifica-
ton Board and will reach Congress
early in January. The New Jersey
Representative feels convinced, he said
yesterday, that as result Of this study
it will be possible to set up more
scientific and more equitable and
business-like system under which the
Government will pay for the services
of those on the Federal pay roll.
The relief measure proposed by Mr..
Iehlbach is intended to aid those low
salaried employees who did not receive
the amount of increase that Congress
intended He made it plain that the
Brookhart plan Of jumping each en-
ploye up two grades would be as I'M
scientific and unfair a method as the
McCarl policy. He expects to receive
tomorrow or Tuesday detailed data
from the Personnel Classification Board
and the Budget Bureau from which to
draw his bill. He conferred at length
Friday with Director Lord and members
Of the Personnel Classification Board.
The Sirovich measure is sponsored by
the League of American Civil Service.
The president, Mrs. Margaret Hopkins
Worrell. In statement called particular
attention to the fact that the WEIGH bill
was regarded at the time of its passage
as a temporary measure. She said
Congress promised at that time that
legislation would be passed at this Ses-
sion whereby low-paid Government en-
ployeS would receive not only living
but saving wage, adding that sit is i'm
possible to have contented employees
when their salaries are so low that they
5 are unable to support their families in
comfort, but must live hand-to-mouth
existence.
I'VE are against the repeal of the
Welci bill or the reduction of. salaries
of the higher-paid employees, but we do
advocate an adequate raise for employees
whose salaries are less than $3,000,"
Mrs. Worrell said.
Says Ruling Disrupted System.
Mr.. Lehlbach sclaims the McCarl
ruling has had the effect of disturbing
and disrupting an orderly system of
classification by regularly modulated
steps. At the same time he expressed
confidence that a way will be found
to a solution that will maintain the in
tegrity Of the entire system of clasaifi-
cation, and hoped that If the bill an
not be introduced until early in Janu-
ary Congress win pass it quickly. A dis
position exists in Congress, according
to Mr.. Lehlbach, not to disturb exist
ing salary rates.
From canvass Of majority of
both Senate and House, am con-
vinced that 1t is the intention of every
member of Congress to pass bill pro-
viding a reasonable increase for those
employees who were not benefited under
the classification act and but to small
extent under the Welch BILL" Mrs.
Worrell said
Presenting his bill, Dr.. Sirovich
pledged that he would urge early action
by the House civil service committee
and intends to have an early conference
with Chairman Lenlbach. He also re-
peated Mrs. Worrell's arguments In its
behalf. The Sirovich measure, If
passed, would take effect the first day
Of the month following enactment.