Evening star., 1933-12-22
Rep. Cochran Replies to Questioner on
The Subject of Wives in Government

! to see that it is enforced, and will
do my utmost to see that it is.
MY objective will be to get those
thousands off the Government pay roll
and replace them with thousands now
on the relief rolls, men and women in
families where neither husband, wife.
daughter or son has employment. If
that can be accomplished it would be
an achievement of which I would be
most proud. We cannot have peace
and happiness in this or any other
country where one family has all the
luxuries of life while their neighbors
cannot secure sufficient food to prop
erly sustain them.
4 X X
| Mr.. Thompson tries to cloud the issue
by bringing the disabled veteran into
discussion. I am pleased that the Gov
eminent has given the veteran prefer
ence when he passes civil service exam
nations. I voted for the law that eX-
| tends preference in appointments to
| the veterans Whenever the veteran is
SO badly disabled that he cannot earn
a living for his family, then I say give
that preference to his wife, but I do
not think the veteran desires to be eX-
empt from this act. What the veterans
want and what they are entitled to is
some of the thousands Of the jobs where
the husband and wife are both on the
waiting for an opportunity to get work,
and they will be satisfied with one job,
not two.
AS to the Economy League, Mr..
| Thompson should know it was not in
existence at the time this law was
passed My vote has never been die
tated by the Economy League or any
| other league or organization. This bill
became a law in the Seventy-second
Congress and is not in the economy law
of the Seventy-third Congress. 1t was
unnecessary to re-enact it, as it is per-
manent law.
Mr. Thompson in conclusion cites
various methods that might be used by
husbands and wives to evade the law.
So far as I am concerned would in
sist that anyone who adopted any of
the methods he enunerateS be dis
| charged. as they would not be morally
fit to be a Government employe.
Finally Mr.. Thompson says he would
appreciate any comment l desire to
make, because he says I can rest as
t~sured that there will be plenty of fight
put forth on this particular subject at
the coming session of Congress- As
chairman of the committee that con-
siders this legislation, I think I can
assure Mr.. Thompson of hearing be-
for the committee, but before doing so
I will insist that he prepare and have
ready for the committee a list of the
thousands where he says the husband
and wife are working for the Govern
ment and rendering loyal service, etc
Just let me have that list. and I, too.
will promise that there will be plenty
of fight put forth on this particular
subject at the coming session.
| I hope I have not failed to frankly
answer Mr.. Thompson, but if I have
left any doubt as to my position I say
l am as strong for the law now as
was when I suggested it; will oppose
any any aftemps at nraIe to 5a repeal it. and VIII
low, from placing their wives on the
pay roll.
I am assured of seat in the next
session of Congress. My State has now
| been redistricted. live in ST. Louis In
| the metropolitan area, containing a mil
lion and a half people, there are thou
sands Of Government employees, The
new district in which I reside is so ar
| ranged that will experience difficulty
n1o,g IN being @ @re-eleeted- I am not com
portionment bill that brought about
this situation. However, If am a can
dldate for reelection, nothing will
please me more than to have Mr..
Thompson or anyone else come out to
st. Louis and urge my defeat because
I advocated this law I am sure 1t
would be big help to me in assisting
me to overcome the Republican major
ity that confronts me.
JOHN J. COCHRAN.