The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-31
JUDGES IGNORE
u. 5. HINT TO
CUT OWN PAY
Only Two Federal JuriStS
Reported to Have Taken
Salary SIaSheS.
INVITED BY CONGRESS
Legislators Are Unable to
Force Bench Occupants
to Lower Scale.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER,
United Press STAFF Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March 31.-Fed-
eral judges have ignored the invita-
ton" Of congress to make voluntary
reductions in their salaries - with
two exceptions.
Their salaries can not be reduced
by law In the economy act OF a
year ago, congress stipulated that
judges voluntarily might return part
of their salaries. This was described
in debate as an Invitation" and by
one senator as an attempt to hi
Jack" Judges into taking salary cuts
which congress could not force on
them directly.
Though the hint was broad only
two federal judges have taken Judi
cial notice" of it. The treasury de-
clines to reveal the names of these
two self-sacrifcing judges who VOL
unteered to fall into line with the
pay cuts being inflicted on all other
government employees.
Roosevelt May Take Cut
The President of the United
States also is protected from a
/ salary cut by the Constitution. Her.
bert Hoover, however, voluntarily
reduced his 20 per cent. Although
no word has come from the White
House. it is expected that PreSi-
dent Roosevelt will make volun-
tary reduction in his annual pay
of $75,000
The pay cut question has come
acutely into discussion through
out the government establishment
here because the President just has
issued an executive order cutting pay
of government employees in the eX-
ecutive branch Is per cent below
their basic pay.
This is a substitute for an l.;
per cent cut put into effect a veal
ago.
During debate on the econom,
act year ago, congressman de
clared it was to be hoped that fed
eral judges would fall into linz
voluntarily.
Hints Are Broad
Justices of the United States SUI
preme court receive $4,000 a yea
and the chief justice $2U,500. Circui
judges are paid S12,5O0 and distric
judges draw $4,000.
Congress became quite broad in it
hints to the judiciary in the eco
Cmy law debate. Pay roll fgul :
were introduced, showing that fed
eral judges receive a total of NOR
than a half million dollars a yea
in salaries.
If members of the judiciary, VIII
are immune from the power of con
greSS to reduce their compensate
during their term fail to respond i
f pace with others engaged in publ
service, 1 shall be DO surprise
disappointed in the judiG, ry of tn
f nation declared Senator" Bratto
/ Dem, N. Nj, a member of tn
e senate judiciary committee.
At the same time, Senator Cor
- nally Dem, Tex declared
- thought the courts were incorret
I in deciding that judges were eXeml
t from paying income tax,
Connally Is SkepticaI
S L hope the senator's faith in tt
= federal judiciary is greater tina
t mine in respect to The return" Cor
o nally added
t Il express the faith that tt
T. members of the federal judiciar
!, from the chief justice down, vi
y respond to the call of the country
D Bratton replied, because I shou
feel disappointed greatly if, whe
an employe drawing $1,000 is II
q quired by congressional mandate
accept a reduction OF 500. and
charWoman drawing 5000 is require
by congressional fiat to Contribu
$50 annually. the members of Il
a federal judiciary should fail to r.
g spond willingly to the call of IL
nation"
c Now the charWOman will COZ
IS tribute 500 a year to the cause
d economy.