Evening star., 1933-01-06

ployes, described the economy groups
report as disappointment to those
who had looked to this group for sub
stantially constructive leadership in the
task of eliminating the rank injustices
and ineouities OF the so-called economy
act" Steward declared that in recon-
mendng a further salary cut for Gov
ernment workers the committee is not
travelling the road of sound national
economy"
Earlier in the day William Green,
president of the American Federation
of Labor. characterized the new pay cut
as unjustifiable and announced the fed
Grafton would fight 1t with all its
vigor."
In the fun committee meeting yes
terday afternoon Senator Bingham
tried to have repealed the married per-
sons clause Of the present economy act,
but failed. This clause provides that
when a reduction in force is necessary
in a Government office married per-
sons must go first II the husband or
wife also is employed by the Govern
nent.
Senator McKellar. Democrat, OF
Tennessee, made a fight in the full
committee for amendments that would
make so per cent cut IN ocean and
air mail contracts, but these proposals
also were voted down.
Broader Merger Powers.
The presidential reorganization pow
ers as they exist in the present econ
omy law enable the President to issue
executive orders for the transfer and
consolidation of bureaus, which or
ders become effective at the end of go
days unless one branch Of Congress
passes q veto resolution within that
time. He cannot under existing law
issue orders to abolish agencies, but
may only recommend additions to Con-
gress.
AS agreed to if committee yesterday,
the reorganization section would enable
the President to issue orders either to
consolidate or abolish any bureau or
agency. except an entire executive de-
partment. These orders would still
have 10 be submitted to Congress, but
both houses would have to pass veto
resolution in order to stop them, in
stead of only one branch as at present.
This new reorganization plan Is sub
stantially the one submitted to the COM
mittee by Senator Byrnes. Democrat Of
South Carolina. He sought to have de-
partments as well as bureaus included
in the abolition power, but was beaten
In the full committee yesterday.
When this question came up Senator
Bingham pointed out that the only sug-
gestion that has been made in recent
years for doing away with an executive
department has been the proposal to
combine the War and Navy Depart
@ments in department Of National de-
fense. He argued against giving that
much power to the Executive, and
to get q veto resolution through both
branches Of Congress, especially when a
President had majority In one branch
Of Congress.
New Pay Cut Assailed.
Discussing the new pay cut and an
alyzing other recommendations Of the
Senate committee. Mr.. Steward of the
Federation Of Federal Employees, stated
y I'm arbitrarily saddling upon these
workers an additional pay reduction
which is estimated to save q maximum
of $ls,000,0 900, the subcommittee is
rendering q decided diSservice TO all
waee-earnefs who are looking to the
Federal Government for other than an
example of radical dedation in pur-
chasing power.
"It is interesting to note that the sub
committee proposes to eliminate the
prohibition on automatic salary in
creases in the postal, custom and i'm
migration services, and for Army and
Navy officers and District OF Columbia
police and firenlen. In itself this Is
laudatory. yet it should be pointed out
that to accomplish this viii mean O cost
OF s4, ,0O0, 900 which will be borne by the
remainder of the Federal personnel.
Another example of discrimination Is
found in the recommendation that en-
3loyes Of Veterans Administration homes
and hospitals be required to work fun
day on Saturdays without extra COM
pensation.
Obviously it is unfair to single out
group for such utterly discriminatory
action, more especially so since institu-
tional employees as general rule always
are on duty for many more hours a
week than is provided under the law.
"Still another example Of indefensible
discrimination is the subcommittee
Recommendation that reduced travel al
lovances be continued for civilian en-
ployes while former travel allowances
be restored for commissioned omcers OF
the Army, Navy. and Marine Corps.
Perhaps the subcommittee members can
Justify this recommendation in their
own minds, but it is inconceivable that
its manifest injustice will not be I'M
mediately apparent on very general
scale.
Administrative Furlough-
"The committees recommendation
that the administrative furlough section,
stricken out by the House, be restored,
is a definitely backward step. The ad-
ministrative furlough has proved i'm
practical and unavoidable. and 1t was
upon clear evidence to that effect that
the House took its remedial action.
There Is absolutely no reason TO believe
that 1t will be any more fair and any
more useful in the interest OF SOUND
economy In the future than 1t was in
the past.
Especially disappointing is the sub
committees failure to recommend adop-
ton of the 30-year optional retirement
plan in lieu of the present unjust and
uneconomic compulsory retirement pro-
vision of the economy act: as well as
its failure to recommend remedial
changes in the leave regulations and IN
the oppressive married persons clause.
Not to have recommended liberalization
of sick leave provisions of the Sumptuary
economy act nor to have sought
change in the regulation which makes
matrimony a bar to career In the
Federal service TeHeCCS Ho CiSdit uPol
the subcommittee's insight into sound
personnel practice
ION the whole, the recommendations
OF the subcommittee fail to take into
account. first, vastly important funda-
mental considerations affecting the long
range welfare of all American wage
earners and, second they fail to offer
any solution to the questions of justice
fair-play, and good administration to
which the ill-advised economy act has
given rise"
Shaw Attacks New Cut.
John Arthur Shaw. president OF the
American Federation of Government
Employees, declared the recommendation
for a further pay cut can have no
effect that would outweigh its harmful
results. and should be seriously conSid-
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