Evening star., 1932-03-26
TAMMANY FORCES
FIGHT U. S. PAY CUT
IN FUND BILL RIDER
Continued From First Paee)

1Contlnued From First Page)
Senate it would be referred to the Civil
service Committee, where it is known
mere Is very decided opposition to any
such measure.
Another bit of strategy in the hands
OF those opposed to the salary reduc-
tlon measure Is that Representative
Cochran, Democrat, of Missouri. chair
man OF the Expenditures Committee
and an opponent Of any salary reduc-
tlon plan, intends to offer his retrench-
ment bill as substitute.
Retirements Proposed.
This bill provides to retire inmedi-
ately the 3,440 Government employees
who have already reached the retire
ment age. Cochran claims this would
make saving of from $4,000, 900 to
$lo,000,000. The bill also would re-
duce the period of annual leave, which
he said, would give the Government
4'ooO,OOO additional work days; 1t would
pronlplt promotion and do away with
tne operation of the Personnel CLASH
Cochran claims, would make a saving
OF an additional million,
This bill, he estimates. would save the
Government more than $40, 900 600 a
Year: He proposes also to add a new
provision In order that any reduction
IN force might be effective with the
least hardship by providing that pref
erence should be given to those who
nave neither husband nor wife also
on the Government pay roll
IL mas been definitely determined.
cochran said. that the Economy Com
mlttee cannot save money in any ma
terlal amount from the Government
pay roll unless they cut heavily against
the salaries in the lower brackets and
u Is growing more evident daily that
the House will refuse to do that.
BoyIan in Opposition.
Representative Boylan of New York
has notified Chairman Byrns of the
special Economy Committee of his "un-
alterable opposition to any pay cut
for Federal employees"
Boylan, in his letter, said: "To my
mind, to pursue this policy would be to
initiate against the best interests of
the Government.
Federal employees, in comparison
with those In private employment are
VIGOROUSLY underpaid," he said, "and
to further reduce their meager salaries
would be to impair their morale and
initiative. 1t would reduce their pur-
cnaslng power and would therefore re-
tard progress of the country to a quick
recovery from the existing depression.
This would be felt by manufacturers
and dealers throughout the entire
country.
Private industry would welcome
Federal pay cut In order to Justify the
reduction Of salaries In those Industries
OF course, If there are Federal employees
who consider themselves oyerpaid. or
who through their good fortune are so
situated that they can return all their
salaries or part Of their salaries to the
Federal Treasury, there Is no law that
! know OF that would prevent them
from doing this
Measure Faces Delay.
There was little prospect today OF an
early report from the special Economy !
committee, which will meet again Mon
day to renew its efforts to decide upou
a salary reduction measure.
Committee members admit they are
making little headway In finding a re- !
duction plan that will yield a saving |
sufflcient to justify the ilardships like
ly to result for Federal employees. Then,
TOO, tney say, there Is the problem of |
exemptlng sufficient number of low
palo workers 30 that such q measure
might escape presidential veto.
Even such proponents Of salary reduc-
ton as Representative Will r. Wood,
of Indiana admit they do
not expect any decision for several
days; There is growing lack of en-
thuSiasm In the Economy Committee
for the proposal.
Representative Wood, who introduced
the original salary reduction bill, said
today that reporting the measure de-
cided upon by the special committee,
VIII depend largely on the Houses &C
tor, he said, is the time for reporting
the legislation appropriation bill on
bill as q rider.
I'VE are stumbling through increas-
Ing darkness" Mr.. Wood said, "but we
hope to set out bill that patriotic
people and those not downright rabid
N favor OF Government employees. viii
accept"
Meanwhile, the 20 leaders of organ
izations OF American workmen from
every State continued their poll of
of. Congress regarding the pay
proposals. Pointing out that they are !,
opposing this measure because of its
probable effect In reducing wages gen.
orally throughout the country, these
labor spokesmen are warning members
Of Congress they will be held responsible
hy the voters II they vote to reduce
salaries and lever HE Aniefican stand-
ards Of living.