Evening star., 1933-07-26
Restoration of
Pay Cut Will
Be Sought.
A.F.L. TO APPEAL
TO WHITE HOUSE
Green Declines to
Comment on
Proposal.

A working code for Government
employees and restoration of the
Is per cent pay cut is expected
to be sought by the American
Federation of Labor, it was learned
today in an authoritative quarter.
William Green, president of the
federation, declined comment.
A joint conference of all unions
whose members are in Govern
ment service Is under contempla-
ton for this week to discuss pro-
visions to be embodied in the code.
The move for pay restoration,
it is said, will be made in an ap-
peal to President Roosevelt, to
whom it will be argued that suf-
ficient weight has not been accord
ed such factors as rent, fuel and
fixed charges on mortgages in
figuring that the cost of living
is off IS per cent from the base
year of 1928 and that new study
would verify this fact.
Will Get Consensus.
The idea of joint conference to dis
cuss the problems confronting the thou
sands of Federal workers both in Wash
ington and in the field was presented
70 T0r ~, ,rtI 4,
ago by the American Federation of
Government Employees, and the labor
head was said to have decided a few
days ago to bring the leaders of the
several unions together to get the con-
SeIsuS.
Among the scheduled participants are
the Metal Trades Department, includ-
ing all the skilled tradesmen; Union
Label Trades Department, Warrington
Central Labor Union, National Fedora
ton of Post Office Clerks, National As
sociation of Letter Carriers, National
Federation Of Rural Carriers, Railway
Mail Association, American Federation
of Government Employees and any
other groups that may have interest.
Labor leaders, it was said today, feel
that the dissimilarity between private
industry and the Government establish
ment would not permit such a blanket
code Tor the latter as has been under
taken for the former, but believe it
might take up such items now as work
ing conditions and leave, and later, per-
haps, retirement classification, and
other matters.
Program Long Advocated.
While no definite ideas have been
developed along this line, it was pointed
out that the American Federation of
Government Employees for a long time
has been advocating a program indie
ative Of the direction in which discus
sion would probably center
This includes reservation of all lost
pay and privileges, 30-hour, flve-day
week; liberalized, optional retirement;
employe representation in all personnel
matters, maintenance and expansion of
the merit system, fair promotion system
Tor all employees and equitable classifi-
cation Tor all departmental and field
service.
1t is recognized, it was said, that new
legislation would be required to bring
about changes of this sort, but the labor
leaders take the attitude that the in
dorsement Of President Roosevelt would
be sufficient, and that Congress would
be guided by his wishes.
Can Lift Wage Cut.
On the contrary. the President him
self has power to lift the wage cut, and
it was said that on the basis Of his ap-
peal to the country Monday night to
boost wages. there is a feeling that the
Government should pave the way. It
is proposed to ask that the study of liv-
ing costs be made Immediately, and 1t
is contended that if such action were
taken it would be demonstrated that
the Is PEI cent cut has an erroneous
basis.
Meanwhile it has developed that the
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