Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-24
Tables Asked Showing Saw
ings if $1,000 and $1,000
Groups Are Left Out.
STUDIES TO BE MADE
BY EFFICIENCY BUREAU
Economy Committee Expects to Re-
sumo Hearings on Reorganization
at Next Meeting.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

BY WILL P. KENNEDY.
The maze in which the Economy
Committee of the House found itself.
with 16 different proposals for cutting
Government salaries, deepened today,
| with preparation for the committee
| by the Bureau of Efficiency-of several
other propositions at the request of
| Chairman Byrns of the Economy Com
mittee.
Herbert D. Brown, chief of the bu-
reau was asked yesterday by Chairman
Byrns, supported by several other
members of the committee. to make
detailed studies regarding how much
of a saving could be effected in the
Federal pay roll by granting an ex-
emption of 800 on all salaries, before
any percentage cut was allowed and
for similar figures if $4,000 exemp-
ton was allowed. The committee was
given to understand that with any such
exemptions, no appreciate reduction
could be effected in the Government
salary total, because under either of
these propositions, only from $25.000,-
600 to $35,0o0,000 reduction could be
effected.
McDuffie for 10 Per Cent Cut.
While the committee is admittedly
at sea on what to decide among these
16 or more proposals, Chairman Byrns
of the Economy Committee is leading
fight to protect those receiving from
So 600 and under, from any reduction,
and this exempts two-thirds of the en-
tire pay roll from any salary cut. On
the other hand, Chairman McDuffie of
the subcommittee which was supposed
to draft the salary cut bill, is holding
out stubbornly for a straight 10 per
cent reduction without any exemption,
which would, according to the Bureau
of Efficiency figures, make saving OF
$4,000, 900.
Some few members of the committee
have indicated willingness to take
little more than 10 per cent reduc-
ton on the $4,000 salafies of members
of Congress.
Brown received a blanket request,
during his appearance before the COM
mittee yesterday. to figure out any way
he could to make noticeable saving on
the Government pay roll without bear
ing down too heavily upon the low-paid
workers. This request was made by
Chairman Byrns.
Gibson Expresses Views.
There is a growing prospect that
Government employees at the lowest
wage scales of 81 900 and under, includ-
ing charwomen, enlisted men of the
Army, Navy ad Marine Corps, will be
allowed to go scot-free of any cut. Rep
resentative Williamson, member OF
the Economy Committee, said that IN
order to make any appreciate saving
the cut must bear heavily upon those
nd
$4,000. while those receiving between
$1,000 and $4,000 are likely to be taxed
a lesser percentage.
Representative Williamson indicated
that with the President and judges
protected by the Constitution from any
pay cut, and the likelihood that the
percentage levied on the salaries of
congressman and those in the higher
brackets on the Government pay roll
would be held down to approximately
10 per cent, the largest contribution, or
approximately one-half of the entire
saving to be made must come from
those receiving salaries between $4,000
and $4,000.
Representative Gibson. Republican, of
Vermont, who during his entire time in
Congress has been leader in legisla-
ton for Government employees, ex-
pItSStQ ILLS NlcWS do 1OllOWo.
II prefer to wait and see II a real
emergency arises, and then I am sure
at such a time we can depend abso-
lutely on the patriotic spirit of the Gov
eminent employees to contribute from
their salaries whatever may be neces-
sary for support of the Government"
New Plan Considered.
The proposal given intensive consid-
Grafton yesterday for straight 81 900
exemption on all salaries, with IL
per cent cut on all salaries received in
excess of 1000, was the newest definite
proposal The experience of the COM
mittee has been that the latest proposal
receives the most consideration, until
another new one is brought in. Rep
resentative McDuffie's objection to the
fat rate of IL per cent with a $1,000
exemption on each and every salary,
which, it was estimated, would yield a
reduction of S67,000,000, was that the
saving would be only a half of that
estimated under his plan. He pointed
out that on an $1,100 salary, the levy
would be s11, on a $1,000 salary, $22;
on a $1,000 salary, s66, and so forth,
until the $4,000 salary grade was
reached. Under this II per cent plan,
the reduction on $4,000 salary would
De Sl1U, OF O12 pei SCilt Va eAAC cOodl
salary. while under his plan. the return
would be 5000, or full 10 per cent OF
the salary.
The Economy Committee is not meet
ing today as most of the members ex-
pect to be tied up on the floor of the
House during consideration OF the sales
tax. but if an opportunity is afforded,
the committee may meet later in the
day.
Interest Waning.
An indication that the Salary-slashing
legislation is only a start on the
economy program, and further indi-
cation that interest is beginning to
Wane on the salary reduction pro-
posals, is seen in the fact that at its
next meeting the Economy Committee
expects to resume its hearings on re-
organization, which were interrupted by
the intensive consideration of salary
reduction bill.
The next witness to be called in an
effort to determine what overlapping
NAV be found in Government services,
and where economies can be effected by
coordination, by the looping off of GER
tain Offices, and by reduction in per-
sonnet, will be Lieut.. Col. U S. Grant,
Sd. officer in charge of Public Buildings
and Public Grounds, and executive Of
ficer of certain commissions. such a.
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