Evening star., 1932-04-22

Henry Strickland and J. F. Bennett of
the Railway Mail Association.
In the Senate, railroad presidents
were condemned On complaints they
were inspiring a campaign to reduce
Government salaries .
Senator Long, Democrat, of Louis
lana, read letter to employees of the
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. by
Z. E. Johnston, the president, suggest
ing they write to members of Congress
demanding reduction in salaries of
Government employees.
The Johnston letter contained the
list OF Senators and members of Con-
gress in the States of Arkansas, Kan
sas, Louisiana, Missouri. Oklahoma and
Texas. 1t also contained various form
letters to be used
Il just want to show the inspiration
behind these letters We are all receiv-
ing" said Long. 1T is the railroad
presidents"
Senator ShipStead, Farmer Labor,
Minnesota, asserted 1t comes with poor
grace from those who represent the
railroads to talk about the Government
deficit and demand that the people
make it up."
In his letter to employees, Johnston
said, in part: If you and the leading
citizens of your community or among
your acquaintances feel that It is right
that Government employees should take
fair reduction in compensation, wire
or write and tell your Congressman
Senator Norris, Republican, of Ne
braska, asked that the form letters to
be used in writing the members Of
Congress be printed in the record.
Ten-Year Program Proposed.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan, took definite steps today to
bring before Congress the proposition
of spreading the cost of permanent
public improvements over a 10-year
period instead of charging them en-
tirely to the taxpayers of this year, as
one means OF balancing the current
budget. The Michigan Senator, who
discussed the idea several days ago,
today introduced the plan in the form
of an amendment to the tax bill, and
had it referred to the Finance Commit
tee, which is about TO revive that
measure.
Senator Vandenberg said that some
municipalities have been mislead in
recent years because of the ease of bor-
rowing money for local improvements,
ana he realized, he said that it would
be serious thing if the Federal Gov
ernment should make the same mistake
of borrowing too much for improve
mentS. At the same time, he said, he
believes it is worthwhile for Congress
to consider a carefully limited plan of
funding rhe cost of large improve
ments over period of years.
Explains Stand.
Explaining his proposition, Senator
pointed out that If the
Government is going to build a $4,000
000 post office in city like Detroit
this year, 1t charges the entire amount
against the taxpayers of today, al
though the building will probably serve
for a period of so years.
On the other hand, he said that il a
private industry decided to build a
S4,00O,000 addition to its plant and
charge the entire cost of it against its
tax this year, the Federal
Government would tell the concern that
that was all wrong and would have to be
over period of years The
he offered to the tax bill
would take the appropriations for pub
lie buildings, for river and harbor de-
and for the Boulder Dam
project out of the current appropria-
tion requirements and spread their
cost over the next 10 years. In other
words, If these projects amounted 10
$500, 100000, only one-tenth of the cost
would have to be met In the coming
year.