Evening star., 1933-12-30

S-AoPS, bNI 4cSI-IIl444Olc 4tN4S4OlAS were
deemed necessary. and these, it was said.
would be completed in the course Of the
day. SO the study could be turned over
to the Chief Executive before nightfau.
Essentials Get Emphasis.
Basis for the belief the figures would
show relief is called for in the pay sit
uati0n seemed TO lie in the fact that
particular emphasis has been placed in
the survey on prices of the vital ne
cessities of life; that these have been
given far more weight than has been
the case in previous living cost investi-
cations. Concurrently. prices of nom
essentials have been subordinated. In
other words, the study has dealt pri-
marily With those things which every
one must buy. and only then has taken
into consideration items which might
ordinarily be purchased.
When the pay cut was instituted, the
IS per cent was applied against a living
cost index that was around % per cent
lower than the figure for the last six
months of 1928, which was the compar-
ative base used. 1t was conceded later
by the President, however, in ordering
the new survey, that some outmoded
items had entered into the first calcu-
lations and in consequence the current
study got away from those obsolete
factors.
Order May Be Delayed.
Irrespective of whether the pay is
raised or held at the present level, a
new executive order must be issued to
cover, but it is not certain if this will
be Forthcoming Immediately or will be
held up for a few days.
Ordinarily, it would not be incumbent
on the President to decide until along
about the middle Of the month, when
the time comes for preparation of the
January Is pay roll. However. it has
been pointed out, the intervening period
Will see the customary separations from
the Federal service, and it will be neces-
sary that the figure be fixed in order
that the pay OF such persons may be
dlsbursed correctly.
Other Aspects Watched.
Meanwhile, with the opening of Con-
gresS just few days away, interest Il
turning on the fate of all economy
legislation which has been il effect in
one form or another since July of 1882.
While appropriations for next year are
belng drafted on basis that calls for
only per cent pay restoration, thus
making the cut 10 instead of IS per
cent, sentiment is developing in Con-
greSS fer full restoration.
Removal of other restrictions also is
being agitated, but as yet there has
been no inkling of what the adminie-
tratlon may have in mind. In an in
formed quarter. it was said that no
definite decision has been reached on
policies and that any statement TO
the contrary is gueSsWork.
President Roosevelt is understood still
to be working on his message that viii
accompany the budget. and not until
that is completed. is it felt, will the
course for the next year be charted.
Immediate restoration of the basic
pay rates is called for in a three-point
program for bettering Government
working conditions that has been pre-
sented to each member of Congress by
the National Legislative Council of Fed
eral Employe Organizations.
Ask Rights Be Restored.
The other two items are elimination
OF the coSt-of- living basis for fixing pay
scales and restoration of promotion
rights which have been suspended for