Evening star., 1933-03-03
.TREASURY-P. 0. BILL
SENT TO PRESIDENT
BY SENATE ACTION
Conference Agreement Adopt
ed, Completing $3.50, 900, 900
Supply Measure.
BRATTON AMENDMENT
LEFT OUT OVER PROTEST
Mcclellan and Borah Comment on
Elimination Of 5 Per Cent
Reductions Provision.

The $960,00o.00O sTreasury-Post Of
flee appropriation bill, which carries
broad powers for President-elect Roose-
velt to reorganize the Government serv-
ice and continues many provisions OF
the existing economy law for another
year, went through its final legislative
stage when the Senate adopted the
conference report today. The report
already had been adopted by the House
so that the bill goes to the President
for signature.
Only q brief debate preceded Senate
approval Of the conference report
There was some protest against the
dropping Of the Bratton amendment,
which, If left in the bill, would have
required all Government departments
and establishments to reduce expendi-
lures next year by per cent below
appropriations granted by Congress.
Senators McKellar, Democrat, Of Ten
Idaho commented on its elimination.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan, suggested that the measure
be allowed to 60 over for disposal by
the new Congress, but there was no
concerted opposition and the report was
agreed to without q record vote.
Fund For Running Costs.
The approximately $3.50, 100000 car
ried In the first part Of the bill is for
the running expenses Of the Treasury
and Post Office Departments for the
next fiscal year. The economy fea-
lures. including the presidential reor-
ganization powers, were attached to the
end Of the regular supply bill. It was
not definitely known this afternoon
what the total savings through the
economy provisions would be. in the
light Of changes made in the final
agreement of the conferees.
Most Of the saving will come from
continuing for another year most OF
the provisions Of the existing economy
law, plus the indeterminate savings
ton plan Mr.. Roosevelt might work out
based on the broad powers given him.
AS to Government salaries, the bill
continues without change the present
8 1-3 per cent furlough cut. Early in
the session, the Senate Economy Com
mittee sought to add a new cut OF
2-3 per cent, but this was defeated
in the Senate. The bill also contin-
ues the administrative furlough clause,
under which department heads may
lay off workers when funds become In
adequate instead Of dismissing them
outright. A slight change has been
made in this section to provide that
when such a furlough is to run more
than 30 days the employe would be
entitled to the formal notice and other
regulations that apply IN the case Of a
dismissal.
Power for Two Years.
The new reorganization section gives
the President power for period OF
two years to issue orders to abolish or
transfer governmental agencies, such
orders to take effect after so days
unless disapproved by law within that
time. This would make It necessary
for Congress to pass measure within
that period of it wanted to hold up a
reorganization plan, and If the Presi-
dent vetoed the act Of disapproval, a
two-thirds vote of both branches OF
Congress would be necessary to stop
the reorganization. This is much more
sweeping than the authority conferred
on President Hoover by the last ses-
sion Of Congress.
The bill prohibits for another year
automatic promotions in the Army,
Navy and Marine Corps, Postal Service
and for District police, firemen and
school teachers.
It specifically abolishes the Bureau
Of Efficiency and transfers the records
of that Office to the Budget Bureau.
It applies the 81a pay cut to enlisted
branches Of national defense, where the
annual amount Is more than 81 1000.
These groups were exempt from the 8la
per cent cut under the existing economy
law.
For the operation of the air mail
service the bill carries compromise fig
ure of $4,000, 900, 100000 less than
the original House allowance.