Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-06

ed. The fact is that the committee, in
taking the position it has assumed, has
considered the economic condition OF
the country and concluded that we
should not increase these salaries In
the amount of $4,264, 900. as suggested
at time when 1000 600 men and wom-
en- are out Of employment, without a
days work.
Increase $25,OOO.O00.
"Under these conditions, we do not
think we should provide an increase Of
compensation to the employees of the
United States. They are better paid
now than at any time in the history Of
the country. There Is no occasion for
an increase in their wages such as
there was when previous increases were
granted. We have increased the salaries
OF Government employees more than
SZ,OUO,0OO In two years. What employees
outside OF the Government have had
their salaries increased in the same pro-
portion anywhere?
I am proud to say that the labor
leaders IN this country, when this
disaster spread over the country, agreed
that they would not ask for an increase
OF wages, and they have kept the faith.
That Is to their credit. Now, In the
face of that, why should members of
Congress come here and voluntarily vote
Tor an increase Of $4,250 900 to the Gov
eminent employees when there is such
suffering throughout the land?
I'VE have increased these govern
mental salaries, as say, time and time
again, since 1920, the date that the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lehl-
bach) has spoken of, and those in
creases were based on the fact that they
were necessary on account Of the in
creased cost of living. Then, according
to the logic Of the matter, when the
cost Of living has fallen, we might be-
gin to lower these salaries.
But have you ever heard of wages
or salaries being lowered when once
fixed? Not once, IA you never will
hear of such thing. In the last two
and yet we are asked to increase these
salaries. There is no disposition on the
part of this committee to deny the right
to men to amend and remove these In
equalities, but not now. These people
are not suffering, while people outside
are suffering. Therefore, think this Is
not the time for Congress to do this,
In view Of the prevailing conditions.
Industries Cited.
'Tn my district I have some Of the
greatest manufacturing industries in the
country. How do they meet the situa-
ton? They have agreed to give their
employees two or three days work week.
No such action has been taken by the
United States Government. Every one
of its employees is occupying full time,
and every one Is receiving full wage at
the hands Of the best paymaster in the
world.
1.-THE City Of washington today is in
hpftQr condition
size in the world, because Of the fact
that the pay roll comes regularly and
In full and in payment for full time.
But, gentlemen, it is an easy matter
for us to lend ourselves to these APP
peals that are coming from the organ
lied employees of Uncle Sam here. But
there are many millions of people who
have not immediate representation here.
There are 120,00O,00 people in this
country who are making sacrifices by
reason Of this unprecedented economic
condition. Are we to be blamed, then,
in setting an example under such con-
ditions by declining to raise the COM
pensation OF those now employed by
the Federal Governments"
Amendment Criticized.
Sharply criticszing The Wood amend
ment. President Steward Of the Federal
made public today that enactment Of
this principle into law viii mean that
"a definite obligation of Congress TO
Federal employees throughout the United
States is repudiated."
He quoted section seven of the CLASH
fication act Of 1928. which provides
that:
increases In compensation shall be
allowed upon the attainment and main
tenance OF the appropriate efficiency
ratings, TO the next higher rate within
the salary range Of the grade. Pro-