Evening star., 1934-01-09
To the Editor of The Star:

On the editorial page Of The Star OF
December II, 1888. you printed letter
written by me which you captioned
In Interest Of Abundant Life"
thank you for this courtesy. not that
was. or am, seeking any personal notice
or publicity, but simply that I have
found. from reactions that have trickled
back to me from many sources, that the
thoughts I expressed in said letter to
you gave encouragement and hope to
many downtrodden. discouraged and
unhappy Government employees
Even a clergyman, in no way con-
nected with Government service. called
at my home to congratulate and thank
me for openly espousing the cause of
justice and humanity, although my
action might be considered presumptive
criticism of highest authority in our
Nation.
However. pointed out to this gen.
tleman that, as far as my knowledge
went, We in America had no law of
lese majestic. Furthermore, that be-
cause our Chief Executive had such de-
servedly tremendous popularity for his
wonderful achievement for cur Nations
betterment, still it would be an insult
to American intelligence to place him
upon a pedestal of perfection in all
things. and not subject to friendly, con-
structive criticism of his fellow citi-
zens. who so unanimously chose him
for this high office.
Referring again to my previous let
ter in the interest Of the abundant
life" and social justice" as applied to
the Government employe. the present
status Of the Government pay cut. as
Oothnr
and comment, as well as the Presi-
dents budget message to the Congress
seems not only most inconsistent, but
really incomprehensible.
If the Army. Navy and Marine Corps
are to be considered in "a life service to
their country" how about the great
majority of the Government employees
who have entered. and followed
through Government service as their
life work? OF course do not refer to
all the new appointees in the multi
tudinous departments created by the
new deal' to carry on the emergency
expenditures of vast sums Presumably
these, at their fancy salaries will way
| and wane in due time Cor will they?)
while the regular run of civil service
old-timers of the Government will con-
tinue on indefinitely, or, at least, until
we learn more definitely what form oi
| government our present peaceful revo-
luton" will ultimately eventuate in.
1t seems to me the argument ad-
! vanced in favor of our defensive arms
of the Government service is pure soph-
istry and is unacceptable, as we'll as
indefensible, to intelligent people, oi
whom there are still quite number ir
| this Nation, believe it or not"
! egree with the remarks attributed
to Mr.. Bertrand Smell that I'VE
were asked to cut the salaries on the
excuse that it was being done to bal
ance the budget. That excuse does moi
exist today"
| Also his statement when the ad-
ministration is pouring out money fol
big salaries in emergency enterprises
the salaries of honest employees who
have spent the better part of their lives
working for small pay" And I would
like to add, from personal knowledge
that many of these honest workers. al
small pay which has been cut twice
| owing to the devastation of the de-
| preston, have been compelled to rem
der assistance, or entirely support, rela-
tives and friends who formerly were
maybe better off than they themselves
It would seem to me the truer per-
spective our President and Congress
| should get Of this matter would not be
obtained from the budgetary or lump
| sum angle of the Government pay roll
but from the "worms-eye view ol
what these loyal citizens and employees
are up against. Then truly perspective
could be had Of what social justice
and the more abundant life" for the
Government employe requires.
At any rate, unless the Congress ha;
completely abdicated its constitutions
duties and powers, which God and oul
Nation forbid. it is up to Congress i'm
mediately to correct this gross injustice
which their body inflicted by legislation
whether under Misrepresentation o1
not, now that their eyes have beer