Evening star., 1932-06-21
SENATE EXPECTED
|. TO PASS FURL0UGH
Conterees Meet to Discuss
Revised Plan, Passed by
Wide Margin in House.
Continued From First Page.)

NOOntlnueQ from First Page.)
Mexico. member of the conference
committee, announced he would make
vigorous fight to have eliminated q
provision which would prevent members
OF the District Fire and Police Depart
ments and others exempted under the
1urlough plan from enjoying any an
nual leave with pay in the coming fiscal
year. In addition to losing annual
leave with pay, the class of employees
exempted also would suffer a pay cut.
Senator Bratton described the pro-
vision as a Joker" which he said un-
questionably crept into the bill during
lts hurried consideration He said he
did not believe it was the intention of
congress to work an injustice on any
group Of employees.
AS I read the provision" Senator
bratton said, "the House conference re-
port as adopted says: All rights now
conferred or authorized to be conferred
Dy law upon any officer or employe who
receives annual leave of absence with
pay are hereby suspended during the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1888. ="
II allowed to stand, Bratton said, this
provision undoubtedly would knock out
all leave with pay in the coming fiscal
year This was not intended he de-
clared. "and propose to take the mat
ter up on the floor of the Senate and
try to straighten out this matter"
President HooverS salary, under eS-
tablished law. cannot be affected while
he is holding office. The President,
however, has indicated he will return a
part Of his salary to the Treasury, and
the bill authorizes the Secretary Of the
IrpQSllrV
Mr.. Hoover turns back. If he follows
the graduated pay cut written into the
bill. the President will turn back 20 per
cent, or $4,000.
Straight Pay Cut Beaten.
Before the overwhelming vote had
been cast in favor of the modified fur
Tough plan, the House earlier had agreed
to all uncontroversial matters in the
conference report. and later defeated
decisively a straight pay cut, offered by
Mr.. McDuff1e on behalf of the con-
ferees. This was beaten by 243-to 165
vote. 1t clearly revealed the temper Of
the House, which was determined to
back a payless furlough instead.
Under the McDuffie pay cut proposal,
a 10 per cent slash was applied on SAL
aries in excess Of $1,000 instead Of
$1,000. with the same graduated scale
applying to salaries over $4,000, rang
ing to 20 per cent ON those of $40 1000
or more Once the furlough plan was
submitted, even though members had
scant opportunity to examine all Its
manifold features, the wave in its sup
port gained rapid momentum.
Under this new furlough plan the pay
slash falls Unfortunately, the sma(-
salaried clerk over 81 900 losing in the
same proportion as the bureau heads,
whose pay approaches $4,000. Under
the plan as approved in the House, SEN
ators and Representatives would have
their salaries cut 10 per cent; the Vice
President and Speaker of the House,
Is per cent, because they draw more
pay.
All Employees Affected.
While District public school teachers.
Washington police, park police and
White House police, as well as the fire
men, whose services are indispensable,
are exempt from the furlough feature,
their pay nevertheless will be cut 83
per cent. The pay of persons on the
rolls of the Senate and House. If draw
ing more than $1,000 per annum, also is
reduced by the same amount.
AS the bill wipes out all annual leave
with pay during the coming fiscal year,
beginning July l, all excepted from the
furlough not only will suffer an 83 cut
in salary, but will lose annual leave
with pay. District firemen and police-
men are now granted 20 days annual
leave with pay. and bill was intro
duced during the current session Of
Congress to increase the leave to 80
WIG
made an unfavorable report on this
measure.
The provision in the economy bill
abolishing annual leave in the coming
fiscal year reads as follows:
All rights now conferred or author
lied to be conferred by law upon any
officer or employe to receive annual
leave Of absence with pay are hereby
suspended during the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1888"
"As it stands now" declared Mr. Nc
Duffie during debate on the bill, mo one
on the Federal pay roll will escape
making some contribution. Every en-
ploye either will take a payless fur
Tough or an 83 per cent reduction in
salary
Under the original plan, the Presi-
dent or department heads could have
prevented any reduction in compensa-
tion Of employees whose services they
considered indispensable the year round
No such discretion is allowed Their,
under the furlough plan as it is now
worded.
This amendment will prevent any
favoritism whatsoever and compel every
one drawing money from the Federal
Government to help make up the deficit
which now confronts it."
Mr.. McDufie declared unless Con-
gress at this session makes a moderate
reduction in salaries, "a slash more
hurtful than is now proposed will be
made at the beginning of the next
session.
Sick Leave Not Touched.
The President was directed to promul-
gate regulations for the uniform en-
forcement of the furlough plan in the
various departments. Bureau chiefs
and department heads will have no dis
cretion in the matter. Sick leave is left
undisturbed.
Reductions along the same scale as
Tor others will be applied to the retired
pay OF judges Except those whose COM
penSatlon may not under the Constitu-
t1on be diminished), as well as to the
retired pay of all commissioned and
other personnel Except enlisted) of the
Army, Navy Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
PUBLIC Health Service, Coast and Geo.
detic Survey and the Lighthouse Service.
Despite a spirited beginning, opposi-
ton tc the various features in the ur-
controversial section of the conference
report were speedily approved Futile
efforts were made to block agreement
on such items as preferential discharge
of either husband or wife, when both
are IN the Federal or District service;
80 per cent cuts in night pay differen-
tlals and the 15-day permanent annual
leave which is abolished during this
coming fiscal year.
Retirement Is Compulsory.