Evening star., 1942-02-12
Congress Pensions
Showdown Is Near;
Byrd Plans 10 Act
May Seek Repeoler in
Offices Bill; Ohio 6. O. P
Moves to Force Vote

Efforts to prevent extension of
civil service pension benefits to
members of Congress-enactment OF
which has aroused a storm of pro-
tests-appeared to be moving nearer
a showdown in both the Senate and
House today.
Senator Byrd, Democrat. OF Vir-
sinia, co-author of one of the many
repeal bills that have been offered.
said if a bill is not ready for Senate
action by the time the Independent
Offices appropriation bill is taken up,
he will offer an amendment to
that measure to prevent use OF any
Government funds to pay congress
sional pensions.
The independent Offices bill, now
awaiting action by an appropria-
tions subcommittee, carries a $lO5,-
100000 allotment to meet the Gov
ernment's share of retirement bene-
fits for retired civil service employees
during the coming fiscal year.
Ohioans Urge Repeal.
In the House, Ohio Republicans
signed a statement urging imme-
diate repeal of the congressional
pension legislation. The statement,
made public by Representative
Elston. said the II members were
ready to sign a petition to force a
vote on a repeal measure.
Meanwhile, the Senate Civil Serv-
ice Committee is awaiting report
from the Civil Service Commission
before meeting to consider the bills
SPONSORED by several Senators 10
repeal the measure, which would
authorize members of both cham
bers to join the retirement system
at their own option.
Although legislation is not IN oroer
on an appropriations bill, the use
of appropriations frequently is re-
stricted by insertion OF provisos,
setting forth that no part OF an ap-
propriation bill shall be available
for a particular purpose. Senator
Byrd is considering offering such
limitation.
While demands grew louder for
repeal, Representative Ramspeck,
Democrat, of Georgia, YESTERDAY
hurled a charge of "demagoguery"
at critics of the pension measure,
which he sponsored.
Ramspeck Cites Debate.
Several members had expressed
resentment that the bill slipped
through the House under a unan-
imous consent rule, but Mr.. Rams
peck, who is chairman of the House
Civil Service Committee, said all
members should have been aware
of the contents of the bill because
1t was debated all one day in the
Senate"
Representative Sumner. Repub-
lican, of Illinois told the House that
when the measure reached the floor
there was no explanation that it
contained provisions for pensions for
elective officers.
Didn't you know that this bill was
debated in the Senate all day?" Mr..
Ramspeck asked. why didn't you
vote against it? There is too much
demagoguery around here"
Don't you call me demagogue,
Miss Sumner shouted.
"If the cap fits, wear IT," Mr..
Ramspeck replied.
Mr.. Ramspeck added that "the
newspapers have not given the facts
of the case"
Cost Put at $4,000.
Representative Cochran, Demo-
crat, of Missouri took the floor to
defend Mr.. Ramspeck, saying the
pension law, as regards to Congress
members, would cost $4,000 annu-,
ally. at the most"
Representative Norton, Democrat,
of New Jersey described the law as
"a good one" adding that she was
glad it passed.
I'm finishing 10 years in the
House." she said, land I haven't
saved a nickel I'm not worried for
myself, because I've been informed
by my constituents that I can stay
here as long as I want to-"
Representative Cox, Democrat, OF
Georgia, saying he did not attack
the motives of Mr. Ramspack,
nevertheless asked for repeal of the
pension law.
Adoption" he said, "has lowered
the standing of the House in the
estimation of the people. 1t has
shocked the public sense of what is
decent and right"
Representative Michener, Repub-
Jican, of Michigan said passage OF
the retirement pay bill was untime-