Evening star., 1934-01-10

all been similarly affected by econo-
my measures, and, as regards the meas
ure of reduction that has occurred IN
their pay and allowances, they are not
in any different situation than other
Federal servants. Their compensation
has not been reduced to any greater
extent. Like other services to which
automatic promotions apply, they have
been denied the increases that would
have resulted therefrom, but that Is
not money they actually were receiving
and therefore should not be looked
upon strictly as a reduction. .
Irrespective of our appreciation OF
the splendid personnel composing our
military and naval forces, the commit.
tee believes that the House would not
wish to single them out for preferen-
tial treatment over other loyal and EN-
cient public servants in other services
under the departments of the Govern
mert hereinbefore enumerated who are
also denied automatic increases OF pay.
.'It has been brought to the atten-
ton of the committee that the existing
economy legislation denying automatlc
increases has been construed as apply
ing to increases within the SIX COM
missioned' services upon advancement
in rank. That is, where an olncer
passes from q lower to higher rank,
he may have the rank but not the pay
attached thereto, if the change nor
maIly would entail higher rate Of
nav. Whether the advancement IN
rank in all cases means a change of
duties or responsibilities or not. it Is
fair to assume that it does and 1t Is not
believed that it was the intention OF
Congress to deny the pay the law pro-
yides for each rank under the cond1-
tions applicable in any given case.
Promotions Unaffected.
Advancement in rank, under the
peculiar and complicated pay law ap-
plying to the several commissioned
services does not always carry with 1t
an increase of pay. The length-of-
service factor enters into the question.
But where, under the law, considering
such factor, increased rank carries in
creased pay, the committee believes
that the spirit and intent Of the law,
If not the letter. should be complied
with. That accords with the general
practice in the civil services where ofd-
GERS and employees Of the Government
who may, under existing and proposed
economy laws, receive an increase In
COulp6IlSdLlOIl WIlcll tl4dL AlClCaoc 10 AL
cidental to a promotion resulting from
the filling of a vacancy by advance
ment from a lower to higher position.
Consequently, the section touching
automatic promotions which 1t Is pro-
posed to re-enact has been modified to
insure that officers advanced in rank
shall receive such increase, II any. as
may be attached to the new rank. but
limiting the computation Of longevity
nav to the number Of increments
earned as of June 80, 1882. Longevity
nav falls in the class of automatic in
creases and the amendment does not
propose to disturb the suspension OF
increases normally flowing from length
of service.
"The provision dealing with auto
matte promotions, If re-enacted as
amended, will remove existing inequal-
titles. will avoid discrimination and will
place. as near as possible. all ohcers
and employees of the Government-mil-
itary. oiiasi-military and civn-upon an
equal footing so far as prohibition OF
Automatic increases in compensation Is
Concerned during the fiscal year 1885"