Evening star., 1932-04-07
Bill Understood to Provide
Slash of 10 to II Per Cent
in Salaries Over ST 900.
McDUFFIE ANNOUNCES
UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL
Byrns, Former Economy Group
Head, Says Issue Has Not Come
Up in Last Two Weeks.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

The special Economy Committee of
the House is planning to report out
its bill to reduce Government salaries
about the middle of next week, Chair
man McDuffie admitted today, although
Chairman Byrns of the Appropriations
Committee, who was formerly chairman
of the Economy Committee, and other
members declared the question of reduc-
ing salaries had not been discussed for
two weeks.
There were reports today that the
bill would provide for cuts of 10 to
IL per cent on all salaries in excess Of
81, 900.
Representative Williamson of South
Dakota, a member of the committee,
said the question of reducing salaries
had been definitely laid aside until other
fields of saving in Government expendi-
lures had been explored.
Chairman Connery of the House Com
mittee on Labor, who has been sponsor
ing the efforts of labor leaders from the
az States to secure sufficient pledges
from members of Congress to defeat any
salary reduction bill, said today that he
1ad not been advised regarding plans for
bringing in the salary reduction measure
next week.
Promised Ample Notice.
More than a week ago, when Repre-
sentative Connery was organizing his
forces for a conference of House mem-
bers in opposition to the salary-reduc-
ton measure, he was promised he would
be given ample notice before the pay
cut bill was brought in.
Chairman Byrns OF the Appropria-
tions Committee said he expects to re-
port the legislative appropriation bill 20
the House early next week, to follow the
independent Offices appropriation bill,
now being considered in the House. 1t
was explained by the Appropriations
Committee that Monday is the earliest
day on which the legislative bill can be
reported out Of committee.
THE salary reduction bill will very
likely be reported to the House within
a day or two after the legislative appro-
priation bill has been reported" Chair
man McDuffie said. He said the plan to
have the salary reduction measure
placed as an amendment on the legis-
tive appropriation bill would offer an
opportunity for members of Congress to
register their will regarding cutting
their own salaries.
More Items in Program.
THE salary reduction bill which we
expect to report" said Chairman Nc
Duffie. lis but one item in our economy
program. We are preparing to report
an economy program which we believe
will make very considerable saving in
the costs of government"
Later, Representative McDuffie re-
peated the statement on the floor OF
the House when he became engaged IN
short debate with Representative
Stafford, Republican, of Wisconsin, fol-
lowing somewhat similar sharp alter
! cation between Representative Sim
mons, Republican, of Nebraska, and
Chairman ByrnS of the committee.
The Republican members were hec-
king the Democratic leaders because
the Economy Committee has been in
session for six weeks and brought out
no substantial economy legislation
The Republicans charged the Demo-
, Gratis had refused to act on the request
of President Hoover that he be allowed
to consolidate the departments and
had also refused to appoint joint
committee to act with him in effecting
economy.
The Democratic leaders said in re-
ply that nothing like the number OF
economy proposals that Representative
Simmons charged had been presented
I'VE are willing to accept any sugges-
ton made not only by the President
but by any member of this House,
said Representative McDuff1e. I'VE are
going to present a program. We will
| save some money for the Government.
ConnalIy Proposal Argued. I
Meanwhile, in the Senate propos
! by Senator Connally, Democrat, II
| Texas for salary reduction in the
Government service above $4,000 drew
reply from Senator Brookhart, Re-
publican, of Iowa, leading opponent OF
pay cuts, who argued that the amount
! saved by pending reduction bills would
be insignificant.
Senator Connally is the author OF
! one bill which would make a tempo
rary reduction in all salaries above
$4,000, including members of Congress
| The bill was referred to the Civil Serv-
ice Committee, of which Brookhart is
member, and during the debate today
|