The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-22
WEDDING RULE
STILL SLABS
AT CLERKS
By J. EARLE MOSER


because many members feared
that action on such a controver-
sial issue would prove dangerous
prior to election time, section 213
of the Economy act continues to
wreak havoc on low paid Govern
ment employees while those with
more salary and pull" blithely
escape its lash.
The law, known to many as the
marriage clause" because of its
requirement that reducing Federal
agencies must discharge workers
who have wife or husband in the
service, recently struck at a boy
and girl employed, respectively, in
the Agricultural Adjustment Ad-
ministration and the Resettlement
Administration.
The couple married with q total
income of $2,360, considerably be-
low the minimum of $4,000 per an
mum said by most economics au-
thoritieS to be the rock bottom
on which q family can SubSiSt with
reasonable standards. The huS-
band, in AAA, received 81, 800 and
was the sole support of his mother,
while his young wife received ST.
040 from Director Tugwell'S emer-
gency unit.
Not long ago, however. and
shortly after the young people had
begun their partnership with the
hope that both jobs would last at
least long enough to give them q
start and chance to better their
condition, the word came that
AAA was to 'decentralize. This
meant reduction, and meant Sec
ton 2l3 was to have its AK shined
up again. The husband was asked
what he intended to do, since he
had q wife also drawing Federal
pay. The couple decided the wife
would quit Resettlement, as her
pay was the smaller, despite the
ShakineS Sof the agency employ
ing her husband.
UnfairneSS Of the law is graphic
ally illustrated by quite number
Of couples in the service, draw
ing huge salaries, who have never
been touched by Section 213 be.
cause their permanent units are
mot reducing" Such couples are
not numerous, but exist neVerthe-
less. -.
. Located in two old.line bureaus
is q husband and his wife, both
attorneys, who receive in excess
OF $4,000 q year. Both are I'M
questionably Of high value to the
service, the man leaving a $3.50
future In private business a num-
Der Of years ago to study law at
the inSistence Of his wife, already
an attorney, and later entering
Federal work as a lawyer. A law
that would force either to quit
would probably be no aid to the
Government, but those who feel
section 213's discrimination can
not understand why it hits only
where the spot Is Sorest.
A strong drive against the law
is expected to be headed into Con-
greSs this winter by the National
League Of Women Voters and like
organizations, backed by employe
groups. And it is doubtful if the
Celler bill, which would limit Fed
eral family salaries to $4,000,
will receive support of the move
ment because it is deemed like
wise injurious to the merit system.
Archie c. Edwards, Agriculture
iveWire, is organizing an "activi-
ties council" to coordinate all the
various things which employees of
the department conceive to amuSe
themselve in leisure hours. Among
one item planned is system Of
giving awards to various Agricul-
ture workers, scientists in the
main, who distinguish themselves
with achievements. The idea, the
base Of a bill offered in Congress
which got nowhere last spring,
would be financially supported by
the Welfare Association according
to plans now in the wind.
Interior Publication
The Interior Department, in CO.
operation with the National Re
sources Committee and Public
Works Administration, has an
nounced Back Of the Buffalo
Seal" a 112-page booklet telling
the history of Interior and detail
ing duties and activities Of each
division, bureau and office of the
department..
Sections are also devoted to
EVA and the Resources Commit
tee, and a foreword has been con-
Eri%I1tad nv Secrotarv TcixaS The