Evening star., 1930-12-05
WORKERS SEE FOES
OF RAISE DEFEATED
President of Federation of
Employees Says Congress viii
Back Them on Salary.

Congress will stand with Federal en-
ployes in overriding the decision of
Chairman Wood of the House Appro-
priationS Committee to withhold salary
increases in the supply bills, Luther C.
Steward, president of the National Fed
Grafton OF Federal Employees, told an
audience of Government workers last
night at the Interior Department Audi
torium.
Mr.. Steward took Mr.. Wood to task
as the climax of vigorous appeal, par
ticipated' in by william Green, presi-
dent OF the American Federation of
Labor, and Representative Mccormack.
Democrat of Massachusetts, for the Sat-
urday half holiday for Government en-
ployes all the year around, and later the
f1ve-day working week.
Mr.. Steward characterized Chairman
Woods remarks, disparaging to Govern
printed hearings on the Treasury and
Post Office appropriation bill, the first
of the annual supply measures, Just re-
ported to the House, as 100 per cent
inaccurate" Mr.. Steward denied that
Government employees for the most part
are thinking of salary increases, as Mr..
Wood charged, and added that "if we
had listened to MIR. Wood Government
employees would be $500, 900, 900 poorer"
Reinstatement Expected.
I'VE have opposed Mis- views, usually
with success" Mr.. Steward asserted
with reference to the chairman of the
House Appropriations Committee. 1--WE
believe the House will set aside the
prejudices of the chairman of the An
preparations Committee and will rein
state these salary items in the Treas
ury bill''
Mr.. Steward explained that an item
of $l,175,000 for making increases as
salary adjustments, recommended in
the Bureau of the Budget estimates
has been dropped from the supply bin
through the influence of Mr.. Wood and
that the measure contains an amend
ment, the effect of which would be to
preclude the possibility of any employe
receiving an increase in any shape until
after June 30, 1899.
Apprehending the advent Of the Ave-
day work week in the United States
as inevitable, President Green urged
employees to fight for adoption of the
Saturday half holiday all the year
around as a first step in this program
Mr.. Green said that nothing would
quite cause such rejoicing in the Dis
trict of Columbia. except that the peo-
pie here be allowed to vote and elect
their own representatives.
Justice and Right.
"As matter of justice and right, we
should institute the f1ve-day week for
all workers." Mr.. Green asserted. I'm
less this adjustment is made speedily,
we will have recurring periods of hard
ship, such as the present, and this will
create a nenacing situation in the
country. Why employees Of the greatest
government of the richest nation on
earth should work six days n week is
beyond my understanding or compre-
hension. The Saturday half holiday is
almost universal in private industry.
Only the Federal Government lags be-
hind. Instead of bringing up the rear,
it ought to be out in front. If it could
be presented properly this proposal
would be adopted Overwhelmingly.
Congress has been prevented from tax
ing vote on these measures"
Mr.. Green ridiculed the idea that this
program would detract from the eff
cheney Of the workers, pointing out
that the eight hour day has rather in
creased the ability of those that toll.
Consumption would be stimulated by
this program, the labor leader asserted,
as people would then have more time to
enjoy the things they want.
At least 5000 employees could be
added TO the force under more ia