Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-09-14
Government Paw Cuts.

President Roosevelt is considering
according to William Green, president
of the American Federation of Labor
restoration Of the pay of Federal en-
ployes to the scales that prevailed be-
fore the economy act was put through
Indeed. Mr.. Green reported, the restora-
ton of the pay may take place before
the close of the calendar year This is
as it should be, except that there should
be no hesitation whatever about a res
toration of the pay to employees of the
Government and it should come with
out delay. The administration pairing
of Government salaries and wages at
the same time that it has been urging
all industries and employers in the
country to increase the pay of their
employees has been both inconsistent
and indefensible. Furthermore, when
the Government used the pruning knife
on Government employees it gave impetus
throughout the country to lowering of
wages and salaries in all kinds of bust
ness.
1t Is no secret that the cost of living
has already increased, and in some re-
spects materially. 1t is equally we'll
understood that the Roosevelt admins
tration, in its recovery drive, has done
and is continuing to do all 1t can to
boost prices of commodities, of every
thing the American people have to
BUY. Under these circumstances it
would be both cruel and unjust to the
half million Federal workers-exclusive
of the military services-to continue the
fifteen per cent pay cut now operative
against all employees of the Govern
ment. When the personnel of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps are
added the total number of those who
are subject to the Government pay cut
nearly reaches the 100000 mark.
Government salaries and wages in
times of prosperity have been small
enough. Indeed, for many years no
increases were given the employees
Gradually system was built up under
which the civil employees of the Govern
ment, also the military, were given
fairer compensation for their labor
Under the system, length of service
when faithfully performed was re-
Warded with increases in pay. A system
of retirement for superannuated en-
ployes of the Government was adopted.
In the economy drive undertaken by
the administration the claims of the
Government employees were lost sight
Of. Many injustices have been done.
The Government has been more cold
blooded and ruthless than many of the
so-called hard-boiled employers in pri-
vate industry.
The recovery program of the admin
istration depends for success more upon
an increased purchasing power of the
people than upon any other factor. In
creased purchasing power among the
people cannot be developed by cutting
salaries and wages. Purchasing power
can be restored only by giving more and
more employment and by increasing the
pay of the employees. The Federal Gov
eminent has been the largest employer
of labor of all kinds. 1t still is the
greatest employer in the country,
greater than any single industry. Since
that is true, it is evident that what the
Government does in regard to the sal
aries of its workers is of vital impor-
lance to the recovery program for the
entire Nation. The clamor which came
from many quarters in the country
year ago for cutting Government eX-
penditureS and discharging and reduc-
ing Government salaries was successful.
1t beat upon the ears of members of
Congress and of the executive depart
ment of the Government. But the sue
cess of that drive has been disastrous,
has added to the depression and unem-
ployment. 1t is time that the admin
istration realized the real effect of its
pay cuts.