Evening star., 1928-05-11
Danger in Delay and Change.

II will be GrievouS misfortune II
through misunderstanding or misinter-
probation Of its purposes and effects the
bill which few days ago passed the
House and is nov before Senate COM
mittee. to increase the pay of Govern
rnsnt workers, is DELAYED for purposes
Of amendment. This Measure should b.
There remain now only a few days be-
fore final adjournment days that are
certain to be crowded with legislative
business. IN which protracted debate is
likely to be fatal to the chances Of the
passage of any bill which is thus treated,
This bill as passed by the House
premises an increase to every Govern
nlent employe below certain grade. the
increases in all totaling an addition of
some SiS.o0o0 600 10 the annual budget
That sum is the maximum that can be
expected To receive executive approval.
IN view of the anxiety regarding the
Federal fiscal conditions that now pre-
walls. 1t is a modification of the orig
inal proposal. which would have reached
total OF approximately $4,000, 900 Of
additional expenditure. AS first drawn
Il established new rate of pay for
every grade On somewhat larger scale.
When originally reported from the
House committee it curtailed the In
ereases In a manner to shut of entirely
the higher-paid groups. especially those
u the technical scientific and profess
sional classes, from the benefits of the
rev scale, although those workers for
the Government deserve and urgently
need higher compensation. An ADJUST
uaent was effected which cared for them
equitsbly without affecting those of the
ioxpr grades.
In the curtailment of the benefits
proposed by the bill, in order to bring
the total Of additional expenditure with
In the limits set by the administration,
every grade has been included in the
uuward revision Of the present scale.
Tae bill as IL stands before the Senate
committee Is an equitable provision for
every worker for the Government with
IN the general range Of the proposed
legislation. II Is evident. however. that
an attempt is being made TO represent
4 as denying benefits 10 those Of the
Iower grades In order TO care for those
Of the higher, thus creating prejudice
againEt the measure as II nov appears
sgad encouraging endeavors TO effect
oranges in committee and in the Sem
ate when the bill Is reported.
II this bill is passed nov, In its pres
ent form. IL win bring relief to every
Government worker. both In this city
and elsewhere. below the grade Of ad-
ralnistrative Official II viii. moreover,
pruyide for . complete survey OF the
conditions in the Federal service, to be
completed during the recess and report
ed upon TO Congress at the beginning
of the merit session. In order that fur
tf1eY legislation may be undertaken and
perhaps elected before the close Of the
present Congress.
In al the circumstances. with yery
short time remaining for action Of an;
&lnH At this session, with the virtual
certainty Of discussion and delay in cas-
II Is undertaken to change the bill in
general character and in detail. with
the assurance that Its enactment As u
STANDS wtn grant immediate and liberia
relief TO many thousands Of Govern
u.ens workers, TO the total Of some 81,
millions Of dollars in Washington ane
twelve millions IN the States, and thai
viii isy the basis for a survey tina
vii yield. upon resultant legislation.
much larger measure OF relief for ali, y
would seem TO be- the course Of wisdom
Of genuine consideration for the Federa
smpicyes. 70 facilitate instead Of TO de
les the immediate enactment Of thi
measure.