Evening star., 1932-04-21
100000 FACE LOSS
OF FEDERAL Jobs
High Official Says Cuts in
Money Bills Will Mean
Ruthless Discharges.

tContinued From First Page.)
at the Capitol today to throw enlight-
enrnent on the disastrous effects OF such
a policy as the slaShing of appropria-
ton bills, it Is assumed that he is at
the same time advocating as an alter
NATIVE President Hoovers proposal for
a five-day week staggering -furlough
splan as a means to meet the retrench-
ment needs so far as they relate to
personnel. 1t is assumed. too, that the
President has been advised of the
-wrecking possibilities in the efficiency
and in the morale of the Government
If the 10 per cent slashing is carried
Through 1t is further assumed that
Sf Mr.. Hoover has already been advised
about the estimate that 100000 en-
ployes would be driven out of the serv-
ice as result of this policy, he must
be greatly concerned.
President Hoover's concern in this
respect can easily be imagined when it
Is known for fact that his aim
throughout the movement for retrench-
ment. has been to protect as far as
possible the personnel Of the Govern
ment, especially the little fellows" ="
From the very start he has been oppos-
ed to salary reductions. His aim has
been to do nothing that would impair
the service of the Government or would
be an injustice to the employe.
Estimated Scientifically.
Moreover, Mr. Hoover's proposal for
a fve-day week staggering furlough,
was figured out carefully and in
scientific manner 1t would result in
saving of nearly $50 0,000 900 annually,
besides maintaining the wage standard
of the Government, and more important
at this time, would mean that probably
not one employe would have to be drop
ped, and more important, 1t would mean
that possibility of $4,000 to IS, 900 men
and women being given employment in
addition. These latter, however, would
be part time employees.
The Interior Department appropriation
bill, which was just passed after un-
dergoing a severe slash, has not yet
come to the President for his signature.
While the latter has not expressed his
feelings publicly regarding this particu-
lar departmental bill, there are some
who feel that he will ponder long
time before he signs it,
In arriving at the estimate that
100000 employees would be discharged
If the slashing of the appropriations
was carried out it was not revealed just
how many employees in the District of
Columbia were included in this esti-
mate. Figuring on 10 per cent basis,
at least 1000 would feel the ak in Wash
ington.
Private Cuts Predicted.
A prediction that if the Federal Gov
eminent reduces salaries of its employees
''every industry in the United States
will do likewise" was made in the
Senate by Senator Ashurst democrat,
Arizona).
II know of three institutions already
employers of labor" he said, who have
announced reductions and said that
following the example Of Congress In
reducing pay, we likewise reduce pay
Ashurst said that "for the tenth or
the Senators mot to take counsel Of
despair, gloom and defeat" but to be
1Optimistic and "believe in America"
He had the clerk read a telegram
from a committee of business and pro-
fessional citizens of Phoenix, Ariz.,
which he said was one of a number
protesting against Federal pay cuts.
He has received so many, he said,
that ne is unable to reply to them.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, New
York, then presented telegram from
the Railway Mail Association saying,
"Our men are depressed and worried
about the continued agitation for sal
AIRY reductions and asserting none of
them can afford the application OF
nthe Hoover plan" The reference ap-
parently was to the Presidents pro-
possl that Federal workers be fur
loughed," without pay. for month.
Mills Against Flat Cut.
Meanwhile, a 10 per cent slash in
appropriations for the Treasury De-
partment was opposed by Secretary,
Mills on the ground such procedure
is mot businesslike" and may not even
be economy"
Mills made his views known in a
letter to Chairman Oddie of the Senate
Subcommittee in charge Of the Treas
ury Department appropriation bill as
the House Economy Committee renewed
Its efforts to complete a program by
which 5000, 900 900 can be saved next
year in Government expenditures.
The Treasury head recommended
enactment of President Hoover's pro-
posal for flve-day week for per diem
employees and of a months furlough
without pay for employees on an annual
basis
Without provision for the furloogh
plan, Mills added, "the alternative is
a shocking one" He said it would mean
upwards Of 5000 employees" nearly
80 per cent of whom are stationed
outside of Washington. would "be
turned out On the streets by the Gov
eminent of the United States"
Estimating the 10 per cent cut would
result in q saving of $4,000 for
the Treasury Department. Mills said
the Hoover program promises greater
reduction without impairment Of gov
ernment efficiency and without the in
tolerable hardship which dismissal
would infiict on thousands of American
families
If the 10 per cent appropriation cut
is adopted, the Treasury Secretary
recommended that it not be applied
to employees of the Internal Revenue
Bureau. He said the salary and ex-
penses Of each agent average $3,7l6 a
year, while in the last fiscal year each
one recommended additional taxes
amounting to $1o5.000.
Assuming that half of the tax recon-
mended was collected, Mills said, in
order to save s3,7l6 in salary and ex-
penses We would sacrifice $52,500 in
taxes" He added additional taxes rec
commended might be reduced by
sos 900 900.
Against New Post Offices
Another recommendation was that
letting Of contracts for number Of post
Offices be suspended. He said cities had
been able to get along on the old struc-
lures and could do so for while longer
and added: What is sacred about
new post Office in times like these?"
Later. Chairman McDuffle announced
the Economy Committee planned to
t,4ll
the House next Wednesday.
McDuffie said he would seek a special
rule to have the economy measure placed
on the $20,000,000 legislative supply bill
that provides for salaries Of members of
Congress.
Should the House fail to adopt rule
limiting consideration of the omnibus