Evening star., 1942-02-19
Pensions
Continued From First Page.)


for judges, the Army. Navy and
other Government ofncials.
Representative Moser. Democrat.
Of Pennsylvania, charging the news
papers have falsely presented the
congressional retirement plan, want
ed to know how many of the papers
would tell the truth" about the
other pension plans for judges and
others.
War Held First Consideration.
Representative Rogers, Republi-
can, of Massachusetts, suggested
there was great deal Of feeling in
the country I'VE should be concen-
trating on the war rather than
pensions"
Representative Moser also chal-
lenged the claim the bill was
"sneaked" through the House. He
said he didn't know Of any men,
bers who were mtinformed on the
bill.
While Representative Angel, Re-
publican, of Oregon, was advocating
repeal, Chairman Ramspeck asked
him If he has supported the Town
send plan for pensions for all aged
people. Mr.. Angel said it was ad-
visable. in his part of the country
to support that.
Discussing the tenure Of men in
Congress as compared with others
in Government service, Mr.. Angel
said the people can call elected
officers home. In fact, he said he
had received a letter suggesting he
come home and bring his blankets.
Representative Hull, Progressive
Of Wisconsin, In urging repeal of
the congressional annuity, said Con-
gress should consider some form of
annuity for hard-pressed taxpayers.
On the Senate side the Civil Serv-
ice Committee voted last night, 4 to
2, with four members not present
to report out the repeal proposal.
Senate leaders, who have been
eager for several days to dispose OF
q question they believe is distracting
public attention from the war effort,
are prepared to attach the repeater
to a bill already passed by the House,
continuing the pay of men In the
fighting forces who are missing IN
action or taken prisoners.
Downey Plan May Cause Delay.
There were hopes for q nnal
vote today, but it may be de-
layed by the plan Of Senator
Downey, Democrat, of California to
inject into the same bill a general
pension proposal, to have the Fed
eral Government pay $50 month
to all needy persons over so, In ad-
dition to the old-age assistance now
extended jointly by the States and
Federal Government.
This move might well open up q
field of debate that would extend
into tomorrow. Senator Downey
does not predict approval Of his
amendment, but he wants the Sen
ate to vote on 1t.
The Senate committee acted after
three hours Of testimony, in which
spokesmen for virtually all or.
ganized groups Of Government
employees rallied to the defense
Of the law that included mem.
bers Of Congress in the retire.
ment system along with all other
Federal employees and ofncials.
The six committee members pres
ent at the vote we're Chairman
Bulow and Senators Byrd OF. Vir-
ginia, Burton of Ohio, Mead Of New
York, Aiken Of Vermont and Langel
| Of North Dakota. The roll call was
not announced, but Senators BYRD
and Burton announced they voted
for repeal, and Senator Mead said
he voted against.
Eight Reported Applying.
High lights Of the hearing were:
Testimony by Harry B. Mitchell
president Of the Civil Service Com
mission, that eight members Of Con.
gress have exercised the option oi
| applying for admissicn to the syS.