Evening star., 1932-04-25

an HON Cldu lIldl Will AOlSC q
vote for or against the entire bill
On the other hand, Representative
McDufie told the Rules Committee
"some limitation" was needed to assure
House passage of the bill and to force
Senate action this session.
He suggested two or three hours Of
general debate and a separate vote OH
each item stricken from the measure to
put the members on record.
Predicts Controversies.
"I wish to impress on the Rules Com
inittee that every item in this economy
bill is controversial" Wood said, add
ing that, while the country was de-
manding economy in Government. the
same people calling for reduction IN
taxation opposed the items in the re-
trenchment bill.
IF it was my responsibility, the In
dianan said. Il would make it an iron
clad rule for a vote for or against the
bill. l would let the bill stand or fall.
That is the only thing that will satisfy
the people OF the United States.
McDuffie said the Economy Commit
tee unanimously instructed him to re-
port the bill to be attached as rider
to the legislative measure. but members
had reserved the right to oppose GER
tain items.
He said, There are many controVer-
sial items in the bill that contain both
suggestions of President Hoover ana
of the committee but added that we
want action rather than delay"
Represents Eight Weeks Work.
The measure represents eight weeks
of thrcshing over countless proposals oy
the Economy Committee OF four Demo-
Gratis and three Republicans working IN
non-partisan cooperation with FreSl-
dent Hoover and administrative ofncerS
of the Government It consists OF 68
pages and more than $4,000 words ana
constitutes the longest amendment" TO
anv legislative proposal ever offered IN
the House, and so clearly violates the
rule against legislation on an approprl-
alton bill that the special rule had 10 De
invoked.
While containing drastic provisions
which would cripple many peacetlme
activities of the Government and cause
administrative chaos throughout the en-
fire Federal establishment, this omnibus
bill bears heaviest upon the great group
of Federal employees by sweeping proVls-
ions which throw into the discard
everything that in the past has given
incentive for civil service.
Besides the pay cut, the omnibus bill
strikes at the Government personnel !
for another $1000000 by aboEshing
Saturday half holidays, annual leave,
prohibiting pay increases. and the NIL
ing of vacancies, eliminating any over
time pay, at an estimated saving OF
S5,600.000, sharply restricting retlre"
ment compensation, forcing superannu-
ated employees out of the service and
curtailing the employment of both hus-
band and wife on the Federal payroll.
Slashes Veteran Relief.
Aside from these personnel provisions,
the most important features include DEL
egated authority from Congress to the
President TO reorganiZe the admlnlstra-
tive branch of the Government, subject
to congressional approval. 1t slashes
some S50,000,000 in benefits from the
World War veterans 1t orders con-
solidation of the War and Navy Depart
ments into one Department OF National
Defense.
Springing several surprises, the bill
discloses plans for gradually cutting
down over a nine-year period the
S18,500,o00 of Federal aid to States IN
vocational education and the perma-
nent reduction of salaries from $4,000
to $4,000 of members Of the Farm
Board, Shipping Board, Board Of Rail-
way Mediation. Federal Reserve Board,
Interstate Commerce Commission and
Tariff Commission. AL judges getting
more than $4,000, except those pro-
tected by the Constitution in their pres
ent compensation, would be reduced 10
the $4,000 level. Membern OF the
international Boundary Commissions
would receive $4,000 instead of $500.
The commissioners of the Shipping
Board would be reduced from seven to
four members.
Wives Are First to Go.
Another hitherto unrevealed provi-
sion of the bill directs that, in case any
Government employees are dismissed, the
first to go must be wives who have
husbands also in the Government Serv-
ice, or vice versa.
other features Of the bill include:
Authority for interchange of appro-
priations within a department to the
extent of IS per cent of available funds.
Transfer of maintenance of Filipino
Scouts to the Philippine government
President at his discretion, saving
Discontinuance of Army and Navy
transport service and Of the Pan
anna Railroad Steamship Line, saving
$4,000 600.
Transfer Of agricultural experiment
stations TO States, if the States will ac-
cept them; saving not estimated.
Establishment of fees for informa-
tional services Of the Department Of
Commerce and an increase in Patent
Office fees; saving not estimated.
Reduction Of printing and paper for
Government use, saving $4,000 600.
In discussing plans for presenting
the economy bill for House considera-
ton, Chairman McDufie said he hoped
special legislative privilege would be
granted to permit liberal debate and
opportunity for amendment.
The Alabaman said he would seek to
make it possible for Republican men,
Der of the committee to offer President
Hoover's hVe-day work week and an
nual leave without pay proposal as
substitute for his wage cut. The PreSi-
dents plan includes discontinuance Of
vehicle allowances to rural mail car
r1ers. Both would be applicable only in
the fiscal year 1888.
May Return Part Of Pay.
Under the McDuffie plan any Gov
ernment official, from the President
down, whose salary is fixed by the Con-
stitution will be permitted to return to
the Treasury any amount Of compensa-
ton. In addition, the bill places a
maximum salary rate of $4,000 for
members of the Federal Reserve Board,
Interstate Commerce Commission. Tariff
Commission, Farm Board, Shipping
Board, Board Of Mediation and judges.
except where it is fixed by the Consti-
tuition.
In granting President Hoover author
ity to reorganize the Government, the
bill establishes a policy ito group, CO.
ordinate and consolidate executive and
administrative agencies of the Govern
-
to major purposes" in order ito further
reduce expenditures and increase eff
cheney in Government"
Unlimited authority is given the