Evening star., 1934-03-09

question whether the appropriation
bill would not have right of way over
the bonus bill Monday. Speaker Raj
ney announced that the bonus measure
will be considered at that time and
the independent Offices bill immedi-
ately following.
He gave assurance there would be
no attempt to bring in gag rule and
that the bill will be considered as 1t
came from the Senate, with members
given free opportunity to vote on each
amepdment.
As the various Senate amendments
are called up, the House Appropria-
tions Committee will offer proposals
for changes which follow closely the
compr omise agreements offered in
the Senate by Senator Byrnes of
South Carolina.
Encouraged by their success in the
caucus, those who revolted against
being bound to follow the administra-
tons program expressed confidence
today that they can force a complete
restoration Of basic salaries for Gov
ernment employees and more liberal
veterans benefits than the House Ap-
propriations Committee offered.
At the caucus Majority Leader
Byrns offered a resolution to send the
bill to conference without Instructions
This met defeat, with 100 voting for
the resolution and 70 against. A two
thirds vote was required.
This final effort came even after the
Byrns resolution was amended, liz
to 80, to provide . restoration Of rs
per cent Of the previous benefits to
War veteran presumptive cases.
Bloc Adamant.
Speaking with vehemence, Chair
man Buchanan Of the Appropriations
Committee, who during the afternoon
had headed a delegation to the White
House to obtain President Roosevelt's
views, warned the members to stand
by the executive or suffer the set.
back Of . veto.
But the veterans bloc remained
adanant.
Representative Browning, Democrat
Of Tennessee, then offered his amend
ment to instruct the conferees to hold
out for return Of IS per cent Of the
veterans benefits.
It carried only after q bitter tight
in which party chieftains harangued
their colleagues to leave the con-
ferees free to effect . compromise.
This is the second time q proposal
by Browning has wrecked the party
leaders control ON economy. Last
year he offered in caucus an amend
ment to the economy act that broke
up the meeting. The leaders barely
escaped being bound to vote against
the President.
The Senate amendments call for
restoration of benefits estimated at
about Slls,000,000 to veterans taken
of the rolls by the economy act OF
last year, full restoration Of the Is
per cent pay cut for Federal employees
and the return of various automatic
promotion pay and wages to day la
borers In the Federal service.
The bill as originally passed by the
House carried $3.50, 900 900, but in an
effort to reach q compromise with
the Senate. the administration al
lowed an increase Of $2l 100000 in
veterans benefits. Then. in addi-
ton, the Senate tackled on amend
ments calling for the outlay Of 1884,
100000, bringing the total OF $94l,-
100000.
Prior to last nights caucus, E.
Claude Babcock, president of the
American Federation Of Government
Employees, in q radio address over
WRC declared such procedure was
throwing the pay issue into the field
Of politics.
"The American Federation of Gov
ernment Employees appeals to every
Democratic member Of the House OF
Representatives to keep wage cutting
out of politics." he said. I'VE appeal
to you to permit every member to vote
according to the dictates Of his own
mind. We have 50 much confidence
In the justice of our cause that we
only ask that 1t be submitted for in
dividual action by members Of the
Congress regardless of party so that
the decision may be on the merits Of
the question and not on the partisan
political situation"