Evening star., 1932-05-01
Savings Already
Lost WiHReach
$ll7,5OO,OOO.
ARMY AND NAVY
MERGER FAILS
Transfer of Person
mel Classification
Board D. KID.

Slashing the proposed consoli-
dation of the Army and Navy
from the omnibus economy bill
late yesterday, the rebellious
House by its action in the Com
mittee of the Whole has cut up
wards of 100000 from the
estimated saving of 100000
and has thus far approved only
about 35,700,000 of the proposed
reductions in expenditures. To
this may be added another S.
100000 if the President sees fit
to disband the Philippine Scouts.
OF special interest to Govern
ment employees also was the ap-
proval yesterday of the provision
in the bill for transfer of the Per-
sonnel Classification Board to the
Civil Service Commission. This
would be done by executive order.
Representative Lehlback, Repub-
lican of New Jersey, sought to
strike this section from the bill
but was defeated by a vote of IA
to 80.
Chairman McDuffie of the Spe-
cial Economy Committee admitted
last night there is not much left
of his program and that he may
take the floor when the emascu-
lated bill is reported in the House
itself in opposition to the bill
with a motion to recommit and
instructions for reinserting many
of the items that have been either
eliminated or severely cut.
More Cuts Anticipated.
Still further reductions are antici-
pated Tuesday when the House resumes
consideration of the economy bill with
the provisions applicable to veterans
coming first in order, which propose a
saving Of $48.0o0,000 by reducing dis
ability allowances. The prediction is
quite general that at least half Of
these proposals will be rejected.
The refusal, by a vote of 153 to 1876
to approve the proposal for consolida-
ing the Army and Navy, which it was
claimed would save $4,000, 900 to $780,
100000, was the second biggest raid on
the bill. The action in increasing the
exemption before the IL per cent salary
cut applies, from 81 900 to S2,500 had
cut from SGT .o00, 600 to $12, 900 900 the
estimated amount of salary reduction.
Both of these questions are expected
to be put to the acid test of a record
roll-call vote when the Committee of
the Whole reports the skeleton of the
omnibus economy bill to the House. A
record vote can be demanded on any of
the amendments made to the omnibus
bill which is itself one amendment to
the pending legislative appropriation
bill, Chairman McDufie explained, and
if the House does not approve on a
roll-call vote the $500 exemption then
the original proposition of an IL per
cent cut with $1,000 exemption would
remain.
Similarly a record vote will be de-
manded on the Army and Navy consoli-
dation, and probably ON the Saturday
half holiday question. Prominent mem
bers of the House, especially On the
Democratic side claim that On roll
call vote they expect to be able to re-
verse the action taken in the Commit
Tee Oh IIlG WLlOAC LdbC yCoICiQay III Nt-
letting the proposes consolidation from
the bill. The Republican side o, the
House is solidly opposed to the corsoli-
dation.
Undecided on Motions.
With but two motNns to recommii
allowed under the special rule, party
leaders were not yet ready to say what
these motions would fover Repre-
sentatives Ramseyer and Williamson,
Republican members of the Economy
Committee, are planning to offer tht
Presidents compulsory frlough plar
with a 81 500 exemption. considerable
pressure Is being brought Il bear upor
them TO offer the furlough plan with
a $4,000 exemption, many Republicar
members feeling that this would b;
accepted
Chairman Byrns of the Apropria-
tions Committee. a member of tht
Economy Committee, will ais insis
on a record vote on the Army anC
Navy consolidation. which is ks pc
project. The economy bill conainet
the By1ns resolution on which hear
ings had been held before the lous
Committee on Expenditures.
Chairman McDufde of the EcoTbm
Committee emphasized last night pa
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