Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-01
i. S. BARS RAISES
EXCEPT IN CASES
REQUIRED BY LAW
White House Announces Gen.
eraI Policy Conforming to
That Departments Started.
MANY KEPT IN SERVICE
THOUGH WORK SLACK
Vacancies, However, to Remain
Unflled-Miss McNally Crit
cizes(Attitu1e.

No increases in pay for Government
employees except where increases are re-
uuired by law will be the general policy
of the administration, it was announced
at the White House today, following
similar announcements yesterday by the
heads of the Interior and Justice De-
partments, :,
It was said in the Presidents behalf
that the policy has been observed in
the departments for some months ans
will continue throughout the present
fiscal year and the next one. THIS
policy. it was explained, has been tol-
lowed as a means of keeping down the
running expenses of the Government In
the face of the impending large deficit
in the Treasury.
It was explained further at the
white House that the Government Is
keeping considerable number OF en-
Moves in the service for whom work
has slackened. Also, there has been an
increase in the number Of employees,
espec,ally in certain branches OF the
Government departments, because OF
increased activity in the public building
program
Vacancies to Remain.
AS explained by one OF the Presidents
associates today. this salary policy Will
mean that the savings will come prin-.
cipally from failure to fill places OF
ennnloyes wllc have died or nave otntr-
wise separated themselves from the
service. At least such vacancies VIII
not be filed in hurry.
Frequently in the past this has been
observed, but the salary OF the &C.
ce,sed or retired employe has been
apportioned among other employees IN
the manner OF increases ior tne iaI. .s:1;
The administrators policy now VIII
be not only to hold of filling vacancies.
bat will discontinue the practice OF
dividing I'D salaries of the vacant places
to boost the pay envelops OF other en-
p-oyes
ment on the salary situation until ne
has chance to familiariZe himself
with its full effect. Senator BrooSh3rt,
Republican of Iowa, reiterated today
his intention Of looking into the matter
at the first opportunity.
New Policy Criticized.
Miss Gertrude Mentally, secretary
treasurer of the National Federation OF
Federal Employees, criticized the new
policy today as bad psychology on the
part of the Government at this time"
but said she did not believe it was sit
uation regarding which the organiza-
ton should make formal protest i'm
mediately.
She regarded is as Tad policy for the
Government to pursue, she said, be-
cause the amount involved in net utiliz-
ing all the funds available for salaries
would be small in. comparison to the
total expenditures Of the Government.
Cabinet Action Not Taken.
Although the White House announced
that the ban on increases, except where
REQUIRED by law, would be general
policy, it was made known that the
policy was not decided on at cabinet
meeting. 1t is understood announce
nents similar to those of Secretary OF
the Interior Wilbur and Attorney Gen
eral Mitchell will be made by the heads
of other executive departments and in
dependent establishments.
The announcement of this new policy
served to recall today the developments
that eook place at the last session OF
Congress on the Government salary Sit
Continued on Page 2, Column %