Evening star., 1933-05-11
Preventing Threatened Injustice.

The Presidents decision, reached IN
conference with the director OF the
budget and the national commander OF
the American Legion, to review the con-
templated program for reducing ex-
penditures for World War veterans does
not mean any backing down in the
face Of the widespread protests that
have arisen since the drastic nature OF
this program became known. AS the
White House statement explains, "These
conclusions Ito review the program) are
In line with the Presidents original
statement that the regulations and
schedules would be drafted so as to
effect the most humane possible treat
ment of veterans truly disabled in war
service"
1t is only natural that there should
be found, on re-examination, that .
plan drawn up for the most devastating
slashes In the compensations and grants
to veterans ever contemplated by any
administration contains inequities and
inequalities, and that these should be
removed by the process Of careful re-
view.
The same process should appropriately
be applied to some of the other econo-
nv programs affecting employed Gov
ernment personnel. These programs,
launched with bewildering speed
and drawn up in relative haste, are
DESIGNED to bring about horizontal re-
ductions in Government costs. In
reaching that desideratum everybody.
generally speaking, joins whole-heart-
edly. Balancing the budget and keep
ing it balanced Is an effective safeguard
against uncontrolled imitation and Is
necessary If the burdensome load OF
taxation Is to be lightened In these
times Of distress. But attempts to bring
about an arbitrary and horizontal re-
duction In Government costs are reach
ing the point where they have largely
demoralized, with fear and doubt, thou
sands upon Thousands Of faithful and
deserving employees Of the Government.
In some cases the attempts indicate
the work Of . wrecking crew rather
than careful and considered efforts to
cut unnecessary expenses In order that
necessary expenses can be met.
The proposed arbitrary retirement OF
all employees of thirty years service, ex-
cept those specifically retained by the
President, has been modified, and fortu-
nately 50. That proposal represented
one Of the most inhumane and illogical
Of the expense cutting expedients. But
on top of 1t is another proposal, that,
under the iron rules Of the House may
be welded into the independent offices
bill, for applying the impractical, un-
workable and unfair apportionment OF
Offices law in dismissing personnel. II
that proposal were enacted, the chief
effects of such a vicious scheme would
be borne in full by scores Of underpaid
workers in the lower grades who won
their right to earn living In the
civil service on the basis Of merit alone.
It would turn them out on the street,
not only to reduce Government costs,
but to provide future political spoils for
victors to dispense. It would under
mine the very foundation Of the civil
service merit system.
It is In keeping with the Presidents
character that he is unwilling to COM
NIT himself blindly to any arbitrary
course Of action and will make the con-
cessions to economy demanded by fair
ness and justness and humane con-
siderations Done for the veterans 1t
should likewise be done for the active
breadwinners in the Federal service
whose lives and aspirations and ability
to exist have been threatened by one
ruthless plan after another.