Evening star., 1942-06-04
Flat Pay Hike
DriveDeve|ops
AT Hearing
Postul Unions Press
Plun to Aid Those
Denied Overtime
By J. A. FOX.


A vigorous drive in which postal
unions are the spearhead appeared
today to be developing sentiment
among House members for. some
form of legislation to provide a fiat
salary increase for Federal employees
who would not benefit by the admin
tration-sponsored overtime bill, as
the House Civil Service Commission
continued the war pay hearing.
At least score of House members
have come before the committee in
the two days the hearing has been
in progress to indorse bill spon-
sored by postal workers and other
groups to pay a $500 annual bonus
to all employees. While approving
the overtime bill which would give
time and one-haH after 40 hours to
approximately 726, 900 workers-prin-
cipally the white collar" salaried
class-the arguments of the bonus
proponents is that the administra-
ton measure does not 60 far enough.
They point out that it excludes about
$4,000 employees, including rural
mail carriers, special delivery mes
sengers and clerks in third-class
ofices. It would also mean less to
other postal workers who already
get straight time for overtime than
to the departmental employees.
Opposition also is being expressed
to the provision in the administra-
ton bill denying overtime compen-
sation In any case where 1t would
bring the pay of an individual
above $4,000.
Steward Gives Views
Luther c. Steward, president Of
the National Federation Of Federal
Employees, who testified also in
behalf Of affiliated postal unions
yesterday afternoon, approved both
measures, but said that neither
alone 'is sufficiently comprehensive
to do what must be done at the
present time" The overtime bill,
he said, will wipe out the inequities
that have developed by giving over
time to part of the Government
force and denying it to the, rest.
At the same time, he added, in
view of rising living costs, some
consideration must be given to
employees, particularly in the lower
who will not benefit by
the bill. Mr.. Steward also told the
committee that highly skilled
technicians in categories where
manpower shortages exist" would
be hit by the $4,000 ceiling. He
suggested 5000.
Representative Sheridan, Demo-
crat, of Pennsylvania suggested the
possibility of passing both bills
with certain amendments, and
the witness replied that "that would
be the obvious thing to do"
Mr.. Steward told the committee
that passing the overtime bill must
necessarily result in hiring fewer
employees and that furnishes a very
substantial incentive. for the meas
ure." te- -. ..
Basic Increase Suggested.
"It seems to me that somewhere
In that picture there should be
basic increase in pay" said Repre-
sentative Voorhis Democrat, of Cal
ifornia, who had been an interested
spectator, after Mr.. Steward con-
cluded.
Leland M. Walker, representing
$1,000 members of the National As
sociation of Rural Carriers, urged
the $500 bonus plan, saying the
pay OF his group was $1,000.
The Budget Bureau opposes the
bonus idea ON the ground that 1t IS
contrary to the administration anti
imitation program. and Mr.. Walker
smilingly told the committee that
mot a member of our group could
be a menace to society so lar as
encouraging imitation is concerned"
He also urged an increase OF from
S to 9 cents mile In the equip
ment allowance given to the rural
carriers, saying that they lost money
under existing costs. Mr.. Walker
said his program would cost less
than $4,000, 900 annually.
John A. Mcmahon. of the National
of Postal Supervisors,
approved the overtime bill but op-
posed the $4,000 ceiling, while James
4. Hesson of the National Associa-
tion of Postoffice Custodial En-
ployes said that I'VE don't want
6yertime because there is little op-
portunity for us to get overtime"
Lester Levey of the National Gus
foms Service Association said his
group believed the bonus bill "su-
perior" to the overtime measure.
While he testified, Mr.. Levey was
asked by Representative Manasco,
Democrat, of Alabama if he had
eiven any thought to the cost OF
the former. He said no.
e. Sees $500, ,ooo. 900 Cost.
8"Well, they're talking about two
and a half million employees next
tear and that would make 1t about
tB00, 600 600" said the Alabaman.
E. Hacking Of the National As
ISOLATION of Federal Mechanics, who
told the committee that 1--WE keep
the equipment going in these build
mgs around here" said the over
time bill would be the first step"
toward helping the custodial work
ers, for whom q separate pay bill
b now pending.
The law providing 44-hour week
aor his group is meaningless, he
said, for often I'VE work 80 and 40
hours on a stretch" Mr.. Hacking
unused the committee with his ac-
count Of the salary scale for the
5000 or 5000 workers in his unit.
III THE entrance salary Is $3.50"
He said, and "the first step you get
Is $500 when you're some kind OF
~ little supervisor. At $1,000 you're
actually power in the organiza-
hon, while at $4,000 you're chief.
That's me-"
Mr.. Klacking said you can't hold