Evening star., 1934-02-19
SENATE PAY FIGHT
AGAIN POSTPONED
Delay Is Due to Absence of
Independent Offices
Bill Leaders.

A last-nainute postponement of the
independent Offices bill, involving the
Government pay restoration program,
became necessary today when it was
found several members of the Senate
Appropriations Committee were un-
able to attend because of illness or
other business.
On motion of Senator Robinson Of
Arkansas, Democratic leader, the SEN
ate began consideration of the naval
construction bill, with the understand
ing that this will be laid aside to give
the independent Offices bill the right
of-vay tomorrow or Wednesday, If the
Senators taking a leading part in that
bill are able to be present
Will Move Rule Suspension.
Senator Hatfield (Republican) Of
West Virginia served notice in the
Senate this afternoon that when the
independent Offices bill is taken up he
will move to suspend the rules to offer
an amendment which would repeal
entirely the Government pay cut and
restrictions on war veterans carried in
the economy act. If adopted the
amendment would restore salaries and
veterans benefits as Of the date of
passage of the bill.
The West Virginia Senator pre-
pared this amendment more than
month ago, before the gradual pay
restoration program was adopted in
The appropriation Committee. Sem
ltor Hatfield delivered a speech this
afternoon urging Congress to correct
what he described as the injustices
caused by the economy law on war
veterans and Government workers.
The Senate began work on the in
dependent Offices bill last week and
had expected to proceed at noon today
with debate on the Government salary
section. At that hour, however, Sena-
tor Robinson announced that Senator
Byrnes, Democrat, of South Carolina,
IN charge of the bill, is i'll. He also
announced that Senator McCarran,
Democrat, Of Nevada, one Of the lead
ers in the fight to bring about full
restoration of the Government pay
cut, desired that the question be post
poned for the present.
Delay Is Unopposed.
Senator Robinson said it may be
necessary to wait until Wednesday
before taking up the Government pay
question. but in his motion today he
merely asked that it be put off until
tomorrow.
Senator McNary. Republican. of
Oregon, minority leader, said he had
no objection to the postponement. if
It is understood that the naval con-
struction bill will be put aside as soon
as those in charge of the independent
offices bill are ready to proceed.
Senator Robinson replied it is de-
sired to go on with the independent
ofdces bill as soon as possible Sen
ator McKellar, Democrat, of Ten
nnessee, filed the report of the Appro-
priations Committee, made public
appropriation bill. He explained that
Chairman Glass of the Appropriation
Committee, who has charge of the
Treasury-Post Office bill, also is de-
tanned from being present today by
sickness.
When the independent Offices bill Is
resumed, attention will be given first
to amendments reducing the Inter-
state Commerce Commission fund for
railroad valuation work by 100000,
the House having allowed slightly
more than 100000 and an amend
ment to increase the amount for the
Civil Service Commission for holding
examinations.
Close Vote Expected.
When the pay question is taken up
q motion will be made either by Sena-
tor McCarran or Senator Dickinson,
Republican, of Iowa, to provide 6or
restoration of per cent of the cut
Immediately and the entire Is per
cent on July l. AS the bill came
from committee. 1t provides for the
immediate 5 per cent restoration, ef-
fective as Of February /. with an
other per cent to be restored on
July l. The committee plan, there
fore, leaves one third of the cut re-
manning after July /, unless President
Roosevelt finds that increases in price
levels justify return Of this remaining
one-third by executive order.
While the vote on the full restora-
ton amendment is expected to be
fairly close, the committee plan of
gradual restoration is believed to have
the advantage at the present time.
After the salary issue is settled, the
Senate will turn to a series of amend
ments to liberalize war veterans al
lowances and these are expected to
require at least two days of consid-
GRAFTON. It is not likely, therefore,
that the bill will pass the Senate be-
fore the end of the week.