Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-12-06
|EMPLOyES GRID
FOR PAY CUT FIGHT
Federal Workers viii Make
Every Effort to Check Fur
ther Reductions.

An intensified warfare on the pro-
posal for new Government pay cut
loomed today.
The provisions of the economy act
have been under fire by organized
Federal workers since they became
operative, and with these proposed to
be carried over, and an additional wage
reduction levied to bring the average
to 14.8 per cent, as President Hoover
explained in his message, it was GER
tain that the employees would bring all
possible pressure to bear against the
plan.
John Arthur Shaw, president of the
American Federation Of Government
Employees, an affiliate of the American
Federation of Labor, in commenting on
the new program, emphasized that his
organization is opposed to any Federal
wage cut at all. believing that this en-
courages unwarranted reduction in in
ouStry.
At the National Federation of Fed
eral Employees, which likewise has OPP
posed the economy act vigorously, a
statement was expected later in the
day.
Message No Surprise.
President Shaw, whose organization
was created after the National Fedora
ton of Federal Employees had seeded
from the American Federation of La
Dor. said the Presidents recommended
ton did not come as a surprise, as
there has been something like that in
the air.
The American Federation of Gov
eminent Employees" he said, opposes
pay cuts either in Government or pri-
vate industry"
Continuing, he said that by cutting
wages labor is cheapened. and that this
only gives an opportunity to business
men inclined that way to cut down
their personnel costs.
On the contrary, Shaw declared, there
are business interests which feel that
wage-cutting will only intensity the de-
preston. and that the Government is
the last line Of defense" against the
spread of retrenchment in this direc-
ton.
The American Federation of Gov
eminent Employees" their head con-
cluded, sis not viewing this matter only
as Federal workers, but as private citi-
zens."
Seek Repeal of Act.
Meanwhile demands for repeal of the
ECOIlOIIly dSI GdlllC 1lO1ll thO pCSldl
groups-National Association Of Letter
Carriers and United National Associa-
ton Of Post Office Clerks of the United
States which have conducted an inter-
mittent bombardment against the legis-
lation since it came into operation.
In an argument for repeal the for
n1er pointed out that the 100000
saving forecast in the Post Office De-
partment this year by reason of the act
is less than per cent Of total Federal
expenditures for the fiscal year 1881,
which are placed at S4,219,950, 339, and
but 2 per cent Of the deficit for the
fiscal year 1882. amounting to $1,000
600 900.
The Post Office clerks. who submitted
a memorial outlining their legislative
demands both to the Postmaster Gen
eral and Congress, express opposition to
continuance 'of the furlough act OF
any other form of wage reduction at
the expense of Government employees
until 1t becomes a necessity and a last
resort
Both organizations call for elimina-
ton of inequities that have developed
in the administration of the act, laying
emphasis on the plight of substitutes
whose work opportunities have beer
particularly restricted by reason of the
governmental retrenchment program
coupled with the falling volume of mail