Evening star., 1932-03-25
FEDERATION JOINS
U.S.PAY CUT FIGHT
Would Be Blow to Labor
Throughout Country, Green
Says Over Radio.

The American Federation Of Labor
STOOD today organized for an intensified
night against attempts to reduce the
pay of Federal workers.
Addressing more than 100 union legis-
latlve representatives assembled here
yesterday afternoon at the American
Federation Building and later speaking
over National Broadcasting Co. net
work, William Green, president of the
federation. declared I'VE shall regard
any attempt to reduce wages as an un-
friendly act and as a blow directed not
only at Government employees, but at
labor throughout the United States"
The legislative representatives were
summoned here by Green to start the
night OF labor in opposition to the pro-
posed pay cut measures now before
Congress. The union men were also
addressed by Representative La Guardia,
Republican, New York, who asserted the
pay cut proposals were not really econ
omy measures and that the "cry for
maintaining the standard of living"
which was raised when the Hawley-
Smoot tariff bill was under considera-
Will SiIOulu Uc dpplleU uOW.
Plan Declared Unfair.
Green informed the union delegates
and his radio audience that some mem
bers of Congress have announced their
determination to impose reduction in
the salaries now paid Government en-
ployes and at the same time increase
taxes and simultaneously reduce the
i1Nny,on nf fIotYcay,Ic ~ yxaOyHlo -
This is manifestly unfair" he said,
because it imposes a double burden
upon Government workers and par
ticularly those residing In the District
Of Columbia
He called attention to recent state
ments made by some advocates of the
pay reduction bills that while cut in
Government salaries would be of little
consequence in balancing the budget, it
was necessary because Of its physcho-
logical effect.
The facts are,"> Green emphasized,
that a reduction in the salaries Of
Government workers would greatly in
fluence employers engaged in private in
dustry to impose reductions in wages
paid their employees. In this respect the
action proposed by these members of
Congress would have most disastrous
effect.
Says False Impression Prevails.
THE Federal Government should lead
in the establishment and. maintenance
Of high living standards and of humane
conditions of employment. 1t should
set an example for employers in private
industry to follow. 1t should take no
part in a salary reducing policy at
time when the national welfare de-
mands the development of high pur-
chasing power on the part of the masses
of the people"
The federation leader declared false
impression prevails in many quarters
regarding the salaries paid Government
workers, 1t being assumed by some that
these salaries are out of proportion to
those paid in private industry. He said
the facts are that in many cases the
reverse is true.
For instance" Green explained,
there are nearly 100000 persons en-
ployed in the civil and military branches
of the Government who are receiving
annual salaries below 81, 900 a year. In
the legislative branch of the Govern
ment $500 are receiving little more
than 50, 900 and 1900 are receiving from
$1,000 to $4,000 year.
In fact, no one employed by the
Federal Government receives a salary
as high as many receive who are en-
ployed in private industry. An examin-
alton Of salaries paid to many techni-
cally proficient, highly skilled experts
causes one to speculate as to how it is
possible to maintain such efficient
workers at such low salaries.
Cutting Called Unwise Policy.
Reduction in wages, whether i'm
posed upon those employed by the Gov
ernment or in private industries, served
to intensity the unemployment situa-
ton which prevails throughout the
land. When millions of dollars are
stricken from the income of wage
earners their buying power Is reduced
correspondingly to that amount.
Every reduction in wages which
has taken place has reduced buying
power and the sale of manufactured
goods. Men and women cannot
be employed in manufacturing plants
If there is no demand for the goods
manufactured, and there can be no de-
mand for goods when people are un-
able to buy. Obviously, wage cutting
is an unwise policy which adds to hu-
man distress and to continuation of
the economic depression.
LdooI Is uilreSeIVeu1y OppOSeu To tIle
reduction of the salaries paid Govern
ment workers, and the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, acting as medium
Of expression for the working people of
the Nation, voices its most vigorous
protest against any attempt on the
part of Congress to cut wages and re-
duce salaries In taking this attitude
labor Is confident that it is acting in
the public interest, and that it is serv-
ing in the promotion of the common
good"