Evening star., 1933-02-14
BRATTON ECONOMY
PLAN IS PROTESTED
Green Terms 5 Per Cent Saw
ing Amendment "Arbitrary
and Unscientific."

Describing the Bfatton per cent
economy amendment as arbitrary and
unscientif1c," William Green, president
OF the American Federation Of Labor
today protested against its adoption as
Senate and House conferees met to de-
eide the fate Of this and other contro-
versial features Of the general economy
program.
The first meeting Of the conferees
ended at noon without having reached
any final decision on the major issues
The conferees will resume work to-
morrow morning.
The bill Is in two sections, the first
carrying the detailed sums Of money
for the Treasury and Post ONCE De-
partments, and the second comprising
the general economy provisions. It Is
understood that much Of the time today
was taken up with amendments relating
to the Treasury and Post ONCE De-
partments, although some Of the econ
omy portions of the bill were discussed
Green Calls on ByrnS
Mr.. Green, accompanied by a dele
cation of union representatives. called
this morning on Chairman Byrns of
the House Appropriations Committee,
to lay before him their objections to the
Senate proposal to require all Govern
ment departments to cut next years ex-
penses per cent in addition to the
various reductions which may be made
by the Budget Bureau and Congress.
The heads Of nearly all Government
establishments have advised Congress.
in response to letter from Senator
Bingham, Republican, of Connecticut,
that dismissal of a large number of
employees would be inevitable under the
Bratton amendment, since there Is at
tached to 1t the Costigan amendment
forbidding pay cuts or furloughs as o
means Of saving the money
ut Is inconceivable that the confer
ence will approve such an arbitrary and
unscientific proposal" Mr.. Green de-
clared, referring to the compulsory 5
per cent saving. 1.-The appropriation
bills are gone over carefully by the
House Committee, after which Senate
Committee follows the same procedure
Then along comes the Bratton amend
ment and says that 5 per cent more
must be cut off from whatever Is left
after these reductions In the two CON-
mittees." I
Uncertainty Is Seen.
Mr.. Green said this proposal would
create an atmosphere Of uncertainty
throughout the Government service,
with every one feeling that he might be
one of those affected and that this situ-
alton would work against the restoration
of confidence necessary to improve ex-
sting conditions throughout the country
The per cent saving amendment Is
only one Of many intricate questions
that confronted the conferees- as they
gathered for their first meeting. another
hniy, "a nf allfh0r-
ity should be conferred on President
elect Roosevelt to reorganize the Gov
eminent service.
A drive for elimination of the per
cent cut In appropriations, particularly
as it affects national defense, got under
way yesterday in Congress. Chairman
Vinson of the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee said he feels sure the incoming
Chief Executive, a former Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, would give Sc
rious consideration to the future of the
Navy, menaced by the Bratton amend
ment.
Senator Robinson, Republican, Of In
diana, told the Senate "this per cent
cut would practically annihilate the
American Navy and make it absolutely
impossible for US to defend ourselves"
Chairman Vinson asserted the pro-
posed reduction would sink the Ameri-
can Navy to a third-class naval power
He announced he would sponsor in the
new Congress 10-year replacement
program to cost $56,000, 900 yearly as
cheap insurance for q country like
ours" adding that unless requirements
arc made the whole Navy win be
obeolescent by 1896.
Cites Danger Of War.
The danger Of war was cited in the
Senate by Robinson, who read Secre-
tary Of the Navy Adams letter oppos-
ing the cut, and observed that, although
I'VE do not desire war with any other
country, we have been engaged in six
major conflicts"
Unless human nature changes, we
may be engaged in six more in the next
$50 years, whether we like it or not"
the Indiana Senator said. THE situa-
ton in the world Is chaotic, particular
what the next day will bring forth.
This would reduce our Navy to that of
third-class power"
Robinson quoted Secretary Hurley
and other War Department officials as
saying the reduction would seriously
endanger" national defense and ex-
pressed the hope conferees on the econ
omy program would eliminate the pro-
vision.
Guard Cuts Protested.
A protest from Maj. Gen. Anton
Stephan, commanding the District
militia, against the proposed slashing
Of National Guard items In the ap-
preparation bill, was received today by
Chairman Norton of the House District
Committee. Gen. Stephan said 1t rep
resented reduction of As per cent
from the appropriations for the current
fiscal year and reduction Of Al per
cent under Budget Bureau recon-
This great reduction will very
seriously handicap, If not cripple, the
District National Guard in its ac-
tivities," said Gen. Stephan. He ap-
pealed to Mrs. Norton to use her efforts
in securing restoration Of these items
to the budget figures.
The items reduced are: Personal
services, from $24, ,750 to Stat; tenn
porary labor, $3.50 to $4,000; general |
expenses, $4,000 to $8400, and pay Of |
troops. entire elimination Of the $40 900 |
recommended
Gen. Stephan explained that the item
for pay OF troops was used to supple |
ment the pay Of non Government en-
ployes while at field training camp and |
was payable to enlisted men only.