Evening star., 1934-01-05
Little Hope Held for Restora-
ton of More Than 5 Per
Cent Cut.
LIVING COSTS TREND
INFLUENCING FACTOR
Leaders of U. S. Employees Voice
Disappointment Over Budget
Message of President.
While Government workers today con-

While Government workers today con-
tinued to await some word from the
White House on their pay status for
the next six months, the stage was
being set at the Capitol for fight for
additional relief in the fiscal year be-
ginning July l.
President Roosevelt had before him
final figures from the Labor Depart
ment on the cost-of- living study, which
will serve as a guide in fixing the pay
scale for the half year beginning Janu-
ary l. An executive order carrying
1t into effect was looked for at any
TIME.
Partial restoration Of the Is per cent
cut which has been effective since last
April was anticipated, but it was known
on the authority Of the White House
that it would be smail-less than 6
per cent. In view of the fact next
years budget is predicated on a per
cent restoration, nothing in excess OF
this is looked for now. as 1t is assumed
some consideration was given living
costs trends in reaching this figure.
Next Years Plan Opposed.
Meanwhile. it was certain a vigor-
GUS fight would be carried on in Con-
gress against the proposal to carry
10 per cent cut through the next year
unless living costs require additional
alienation A step was made in this
direction today.
Each member of the House was
given an opportunity today to declare
himself in favor of the full restoration
OF basic salaries.
Representative Hoeppel Of California
obtained unanimous consent to address
the House for one minute and IN that
time announced he was placing on the
Speakers desk a discharge petition
which he invited all his colleagues tc
sign.
The effect of this petition would be
to discharge the Appropriations Com
mitIee from further consideration oi
the proposal to restore only pei
cent of the salary cut and to declare
in favor of the full Is per cent resto-
ration.
Leaders Of employe groups-E. Claude
Babcock, president of the American
Federation of Government Employees
and Luther C. Steward. president OF
the National Federation of Federal En-
ployes both voiced disappointment with
the budget message yesterday, While
Speaker Rainey and House Leader Byrn'
have told President Roosevelt there is
practically unanimous sentiment among
members of Congress for putting pay
back on the regular classification act
schedules next year.
n 70
President suggested legislation which
would allow him to authorize de-
ficienciss to restore the full Is pei
cent should living costs justify but
there are many who want the pay back
without any strings tied to it.
Cost-of-Living Basis Fought.
The cost-of-living basis for fixing
salaries has always been in bad light
with the organized groups in the Gov
ernment. and it was the subject of par
ticularly vigorous condemnation by the
American Federation of Labor at its
annual convention here in October
The leaders in the American Federation
of Labor are gathering here again on
January "a to map their legislative
program. and it seems certain that TINS
issue will arise again. as there are many
groups OF 1ONcIuLIlcII WI hSlS Ia eAASAA
ranks.
The same opposition holds good with
regards to the Federation OF Fedora
Employees. it was emphasized yesterday
by Steward.
Another bitter fight is certain tC
center around the administration pro-
posal to restore automatic pay in
creases to Army. Navy and Marine
Corps. bringing pay scales up to th'
same basis that would have obtained
had this restriction never been i'm
posed
Other Groups Eliminated.
While this concession was being
made to these groups. it was beins
denied to others. including postal EN-
ployes, Public Health Service, Coas
Guard and District police, firemen anc
teachers. Further continuation Of the
ban on increases by reallocation alsC
was continued The postal unions
in particular are strongly entrenche6
in the Government. and their spokes-
men can be counted upon to press
their cause vigorously.
This situation was not unantici-
pated by administration leaders. and
the issue already has been raised by
President Steward Of the Federal En-
ployes
That the workers are ready to &C
to Congress with their pay fight was
Continued on Page 2. Column So