The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-11-02
LAW PROVIDES
=. RESTORATION
YJULY1
Economy Act Expires on Day
T. Set BY President; Clerks
d. Push for Earlier Date

EN uSII III EoI |CI OokC
District officials are looking
with mingled surprise and amuse-
nent today on President Roose-
Velt's announcement he would ap-
prove restoration of Federal
salaries to 100 per cent basis
July /.
Their chuckles are attributed
to the fact, they explain, that,
under the terms of the economy
act. the pay cut will be restored
automatically July l, anyway.
Perhaps the President COM
pletely overlooked the fact the
economy act expires June 30,
1885, they point out, but in the
opinion of one District official,
at least, the President may have
seen a good political move in
making such an announcement
with next Tuesday election day.
Another official, whose name is
being withheld by The Washington
Times to save him from embar
rassment, admitted greatest sur
prise at the announcement when
it was made at the White House
late Wednesday.
He said:
I'VE could hardly believe It at
first because it was so ridiculous
on the face Of it.
CUTS LIMITED
'FUnder title III Of the economy
act. section FL, paragraph (a),
It states very clearly that the
salary cuts are for the twO-year
period ending June 30, 1885.
"Unless Congress passes an
other economy act, Government
employees will receive anyway
what President Roosevelt has
just promised. What could he
have had in mind?"
Advocates of full pay restora-
tion for Government employees
January l expressed the belief
today that their efforts will meet
with success if the President
maintains his neutral position.
This optimistic view is taken
because of Congress stand last
year. Despite predictions by those
close to the White House that
the President would veto the IS
and S" pay restoration provided
in the economy bill. sufficient
support was obtained in both
houses for it's approval. Con-
gress was so determined that it
even passed the bill over an
Executive veto.
Congress Support Seen
It is felt certain that the only
great obstacle which might bar
passage of a measure restoring |
full pay January l would be the
announced opposition to such a
proposition by the President. 1t |
is believed that if there is no
word of opposition from the
White House Congressional ap.
proval is virtually assured, 6e-
spite the fact that at present it
appears that the budget will re-
commend that full restoration be
not effective until July /.
Meanwhile Government employe
organizations are pushing pro-
posals that go even farther to-
ward seeking gains for the
workers.
=. Claude Babcock, president Of
the American Federation of Gov
eminent Employees, has announced
his organization will make a
vigorous fight to obtain passage
Of legislation to carry out many
of the propositions endorsed by
his organization at its convention
last summer.
Among these proposals is one
calling for a IS per cent increase
i'm all basic salaries; another seek
ing a five-day week; another in.
creasing the annual leave to 30
0ayS instead of Is, and another
repeating the married women's"
clause.
On the other hand, Miss Ger
trude McNally, speaking for the
National Federation of Federal
employees. of which she is secre-
tary-treasurer, asserted that her
organization would spend it's first
efforts in having Congress repeal
the pay cut effective January /.