Evening star., 1937-08-26
ACTION EXPECTED
ON j. S. SALARIES
Next Congress Due to Take
Steps to Raise Pay in
Lower Brackets.
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

Legislation to raise salaries in the
lower brackets in the Government
service and to make other improve
ments in working conditions Of Fed
eral personnel is likely to fare better
at the next session of Congress than
it did at the last, when few changes
IN civil service laws were enacted.
While the recent session repealed
the so-called married persons clause
OF the old economy act, and gave en-
ployes of Congress the right to enter
the civil service retirement system, 1t
delayed action on such major person.
mel questions as extension of civil
service to agencies outside the scope
Of that law, higher minimum wage.
application of civil service to postmas-
ters and liberalization of the age lin
its for optional retirement.
Toward the close Of the session
there were indications, however, that
administration forces will be in a more
receptive mood to have some of these
proposals considered when the law
makers return.
$1,000 Minimum Wage.
In the closing weeks of the session
the Civil Service Commission sent up
the draft Of bill to make $1,000 the
minimum wage under the classical
ton act for full-tine adult employees,
and stated the proposal had presiden-
tial sanction. 1t was introduced by
Chairman Ramspeck Of the House
Civil Service Committee and by Chair
man Bulow Of the Senate committee.
The bill was worded not to take effect
until July l, 1888, however, 80 no
time was lost by the fact that Con-
gress did not pass it before adjourn
ment. The commission advised Con-
gress the proposed increases would
benefit 46,702 employees in the lower
brackets and add $4,800,OO0 to the
annual pay roll.
Senator McCarran, Democrat, of
Nevada started the move for better
salaries in the lower brackets by in
Producing his $1,500 minimum pay
bill last January, with small increases
in other brackets up to those receiving
$500 year. The Budget Bureau
requested postponement of action on
this and similar legislation until the
administration completed its own
study Of Federal personnel questions.
Near the end of the session the
Civil Service Commission also sub
mitted suggestions for liberalizing
the retirement law, which also will
be available for hearings and action
shortly after Congress reconvenes.
Postmaster Action Delayed.
Application of civil service to the
appointment of postmasters was left
stranded in the Senate after passing
the House, but on the last day Of the
session debate in the Senate indicated
a measure probably would be enacted
when Congress returns. Senator
OMahoney, Democrat, of Wyoming
sponsor of the proposal to apply civil
service to postmasters, asked Senator
McKellar, Democrat, Of Tennessee if
there is likely to be progress on the
measure at the next session, and Nc
Kellar said he was quite sure there
will be.
Other Government personnel pro-
posals that were introduced but Ian
guished in committees during the
past session included proposed an
nuities for widows Of Federal en-
ployes and establishment Of . Civil
Service Board Of Appeals
The married persons clause, which
was repealed, provided that when a
reduction in force was necessary in
any Government bureau any employe
whose husband or wife also was In
Government service had to be dropped
first.