The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-17
U. S.PAY SLASH
THREAT MADE
IN TAX BATTLE
Salary Reduction Bill viii
Be Drafted; Held Club
for Sales Levy.
MEASURE Is ATTACKED
Opponents in Both Parties
Increase Efforts to
Block Passage.
MEASURE IS ATTACKED

Bg United Press
WASHINGTON, March IT,
House leaders have decided to
sponsor general federal salary
reduction bill, Chairman Byrns of
the appropriations committee told
The United Press today.
Byrns said the measure would be
ready for submission to the house
The middle of next week.
Extent Of the reduction has not
been fixed. Byrns favors gradu-
ated scale, which would be light on
mall salaries, but reach 20 per cent
on members of congress, who re-
ceve $4,000 a year. Others want
a fiat 10 per cent cut.
The maneuVer was regarded as
part of the drive of leaders to get
The sales tax through the house.
The fact that the decision was
reached in the midst of the tax
fight supported that impression.
Want Early Action
Byrns said he had appointed
Representative John N. Sanlin
Dem, La as chairman of a sub
committee to draft the legislation
He said it would be thrust before
the house as soon as the tax bill is
out Of the way.
To assure early action, it prob
ably will be offered as an amend
ment to the legislative appropria-
ton bill providing the salaries and
expenses Of members of congress, he
said.
The deficit is growing and the
budget must be balanced" said
Byrn5. Every one must help to
make the sacrifice We had hoped
the salary cut could be avoided, but
it looks like we will have to adopt
that, along with our other reduc-
tons, to aid in the effort to balance
the budget"
Democrats Change Stand
The decision marks a change of
front on the part of the Democratic
leaders in control of the house. Up
to now they have been content with
provisions forbidding any increases
of salary.
Pressure against the sales tax is
understood to have been one of the
determining factors in the new pro-
gram, although that angle of the
situation was not mentioned.
bership would be influenced to ac-
cept the drastic provisions of that
levy if they are faced with the an
nouncement that the next measure
they will have to vote on will be
cut in their own salaries.
Latest attack on the sales tax
vas being organized by the pro-
eyessive leader, Representative La
Guardia (Rep., N. " He was
moving around in dark corners
of the house, circulating petition
for a Republican conference to meet
the sales tax issue.
Forty names we're understood to
be attached to his petition. He ex-
pected more would sign before he
flashes the document in the faces of
leaders later in the day.
He said there was no doubt he
could get the conference whenever
he wants it. Leaders are required
call it when the petition is signed
by fifty applicants.
Start Senate Battle
On the senate side, a conflict was
being started by Senator Mcclellan
Dem, TENN, although the bill will
not come to that side of the Capitol
for two more weeks. Mcclellan was
preparing to press a resolution de-
manding a 10 per cent reduction in
the appropriation of the interior
and agriculture departments sup
ply bills.
Back in the house, on the DEM
ocratic side, the opponents were
doing missionary work on the basis
of the Rankin resolution, adopted
Wednesday night at their confer
ence. It condemned the sales tax
as placing an additional burden on
the poor.
The Rankin resolution was adopt
cd with cheers by the Democratic
opposition. Nowhere among the
opponents is there an inclination to
give UP the ship. They are doing
everything possible to stir up those
who are yet on the fence.
A special night session of the
house was called for tonight, so
free debate might be concluded. The
house will meet from noon to p. m
and then from to 1890 p. m.
The bill will be taken up for APP
proval vote under the five-minute
limited debate rule Friday.