Evening star., 1932-07-01
Softening the Blow.

Morale of Government employees is
naturally at a low ehb today. For
weeks past their enthusiasms have been
sApped by fear and uncertainty as the
devastating economy bill made its devi-
ous way to final enactment. Now the
blow has fallen. There is still some
ambiguity as to its Interpretation which,
it ia likely, will be cleared away in
q few days and the departmental work.
ers will know just what to expect for
the next fiscal year.
Bad as the situation is bound to
be. the victims will be better off when
they are down to the bed rock Of GER
tainty upon which TO reorganize their
personal finances and plan for the
future. The same is true for business
in general in the District of Column
bia. largely dependent as it is on the
Government pay roll. Such blows
seldom are so severe when they fall
as they are threatening in prospect.
The human being is vastly ingenious.
That ingenuity can accomplish miracles
with a reduced budget.
One factor which softens the blow is
the sympathy of the President and his
announced intention to modify or
nullify, so far as possible, some OF the
harshest provisions of the bill in its
administration. He already has acted,
under this plan. to retain in their posi-
tions more than 2 900 from compulsory
retirement. Included in the list are
some of the most valued employees OF
the Government, world leaders in their
professions, who happen to have passed
the retirement age limit. The PreSi-
dents powers are broad. Doubtless, as
time goes on he will find other ways in
which the effects Of some OF the harsh
est and most ill-considered provisions
Of the bill can be mitigated.
Nobody knows at this time-not even
the PTesident-just how much can be
done. At the best the situation is bad
enough. 1t should be factor Of con-
siderable comfort to the workers, how
ever, TO know that the one man who
can materially in any way relieve them
Is sympathetic and willing to 60 to the
limit Of his constitutional powers TO
soften the blow. It is not much, but in
situations Ike this men clutch at
straws.
The effect upon the economic life
Of Washington will be profound. There
is no help for this nov. For many
families there must be a considerable
reorganization OF the ways Of life The
sense Of security is shaken. The COM
forting confidence in the certain reward
Of labor and sincerity and loyalty is
weakened. Gone is some Of that sense
Of human dignity which was based
upon the idea that men and women
were a little more than mechanical
cogs in a great economic machine.
The habits Of nfetimes must be
changed. The expected comforts of
age must be foregone. The orderly
sequences OF life have been broken.
Perhaps, however. the worst is over.
Readjustment, especially economic re-
adjustment, is always painful and difh-
cult. But in the actual struggle to
resdjust there is some element of that
thrill of battle which adds interest
to life. 1t is better than fearful wait
ing. The worst Of war is not the ad-
vance over the bullet-swept field with
the mind too much occupied with the
emergencies Of the moment to suffer
from anxiety over the future. 1t is the
trembling walt in the foegy dawn be-
fore the battle
This applies, in way, to the eco
nomic war in which the great majority
Of the citizens Of Washington now have
been plunged. 1t viii be better when the
obscurity and uncertainty are cleared
away and folks are busy in the actual
struggle.