Evening star., 1937-04-27
M'CARRAN URGES
FIGHT T0PREVENT
SLASH IN u. S. PAY
Fears Blanket Cut in Appro-
priation Bills Will Hurt
Workers.
NOTE TO LABOR HEADS
CONTAINS WARNING
Higher Level of Prices Cited by
Nevada Senator in Moving
to Stop Proposal.
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

BY J. A. OLEARY.
Expressing fear that the 10 per cent
cut in all appropriation bills proposed
recently in both branches of Congress
would lead to a reduction in Federal
salaries, Senator McCarren, Democrat,
Of Nevada, today wrote to heads of
the country's leading labor organiza-
tions, urging them to oppose such a
move before it gets start
Although proponents of the per-
centage cut in supply bill totals have
not specified personnel, McCarren
said that If he construes the move
ment correctly, its most serious effect
would be on the low-paid employees.
The Nevadan sent letters on the
subject to William Green, president
Of the American Federation of Labor;
John L. Lewis, head of the Committee
on Industrial Organization; Luther c.
Steward, president of the National
Federation of Federal Employees, and
John j. Barrett. head of the United
National Association of Post ONCE
CIerkA.
Text of McCarran Letter.
The letter to each read as follows:
For the past several days my at
tention has been especially drawn to
some very positive statements appear
ing in the press, purporting to come
from Congress leaders, and evncing a
determination to bring about fiat 10
per cent reduction in all appropria-
tons.
If I construe this movement cor
sectly, its most serious effect would be
. 10 per cent reduction in the salaries
of Federal employees. There may be
. strata of Federal employees who could,
without great hardship, endure a re-
duction of 10 per cent in their salaries.
Such q reduction might entail only
the elimination Of some of the luxuries
10 which they might be accustomed.
But what I am concerned about is
the effect OF such blanket reduction
on that great group of Federal en-
ployes who are today receiving only at
best living wage, and many of whom
are indeed receiving much less than a
living wage. The effect of reduction
on this group, in view of the present
cost Of living, would bring about un-
told, and In my judgment unwar-
Fanted, hardship, suffering and priva-
ton.
More than this, am interested in
the indirect effect of reduction in
the salaries OF Federal employees, which
indirect effect would be reduction in
the income of the wage Garner in pri-
vate industry. This result, I fear,
would follow, based upon the example
yet by the Government.
II am addressing myself to you as
. the head Of one of the Nations great
est groups of wage workers, both in
private industry and in Federal en-
ploy, to the end that you may send
the word of alarm through your vari-
ous agencies, that we may stop this
confiagration before it gets started"
Elaborating on the letter in an in
terview, McCarran said he is opposed
70 applying percentage cut on the
appropriation bills because of the ex-
perience with the former departmental
economy drive of 1882 and 1888, and
also because prices are now at higher
level.
In 1892 the economy movement
started with proposals for q 10 per
cent cut in the total of certain ap-
preparation bills. After extended de-
bate on the floor, however, it led to
the drafting Of the first economy act,
based on the furlough plan, which was
followed later by a larger percentage
cut in compensation, veterans pay
ments and other personnel restric-
tions. McCarran recalled today the
prolonged effort to bring about grad
ual repeal Of the economy provisions.
Senator Copeland, Democrat, of
New York, said today he plans to ask
heads Of each Government depart
ment coming before the Appropri-
ations Committee from now on to tell
the committee what the effect on
their agencies would be if the 10 per
cent cut in total Of each bill should
be adopted. The New York Senator
said that while he is sympathetic to-
ward efforts to save money, he thinks
Congress should know what the re-
suit would be If the percentage plan
prevails.
Since five Of the nine regular appro-
priation bills already have passed both
House and Senate, any effort to apply
the general percentage theory would
have to be done through a separate
resolution or a general amendment to
some remaining bill.
One plan being discussed is to order
10 per cent taken from the total of
each bill, leaving discretion with de-
pArtment heads to determine what
items to reduce and with authority to
transfer funds from one bureau to an
other. 1t is generally agreed that
some items, such as interest on Gov
ernment obligations, could not be in
eluded In the PERCENTAGE reduction.