Evening star., 1942-02-06

law IS Stlll a burning issue IN tne
Even as the wires were bringing
from Spokane, Wash, the news
that the Athletic Round Table is
calling off its bundle caravan, Sem
ator Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia
and Representative Rees, Republi-
can, Of Kansas were announcing
their intention of pressing to change
that part of the new Civil Service
Retirement Act which gave elective
officers the option Of joining the
annuity system.
Senator Byrd, whose effort to
require elected officials to make
back payments II they take advan-
tage Of the law lost by only "a to
%, revealed that at least six Sem
ators who voted against him only
three weeks ago have indicated they
would vote differently today.
In the House, Mr.. Rees made
known he has written to the Civil
Service Committee asking for
hearing on the half dozen repeal
bills that were dropped into the
hopper while the ink on the new
law was drying.
Comment was scarce in both
houses on the satirical bundle cam
paign. but the lawmakers were ready
today to discuss the issue seriously,
pro and con, and the results indi-
cate that some are ready to defend
the extension of retirement benefits
to Congress just as strongly as
others will fight for its repeal
Senator Bulow, Democrat, of
South Dakota. chairman of the
Senate Civil Service Committee, who
sees no reason why the annuity plan
enacted for all other Government
officials should exclude lawmakers,
said he assumed the bundles for
Congress" drive was intended to
get a laugh" but he added:
IF they want to bring me any
bundles, I'll look 'em over"
The new law, he said, is IAN an
nuity plan to which we contribute
the same as any other employe, and
If I go in I'll make the back pay
ments."
A different view was taken, how
ever, by Senator johnson, Democrat,
Of Colorado, one of the advocates OF
repeal. who said:
"It is very unfortunate that at a
time such as this, when the need Is
for faith in Government, that the
Congress should make itself ridicu-
lous. I don't think elected ofhcials
should provide pensions for them
| selves"
See Congress As Employer.
The Coloradoan said he favOrS the
retirement system as general prin-
ciple for all workers, but feels that
in this case Congress is in the role
of the employer, comparable to the
board of directors in q private con-
Germ.
According to the Associated Press,
the Athletic Round Table, in Spo-
kane, called of at the last minute
the plan to send bundle truck to
Washington, and announced the
$4,000 1t would have cost will be In
vested in Defense bonds. Joe Abb.
the president was quoted as saying
the trip would not be made because
i've know when to stop" a joke.
Reports for several days indicated
the Joke was spreading fast to
groups in Texas, Iowa and other
States. and some Senators and Rep
resentatives have been busy. answer
| ing letters from constituents ex-
planning their position on the retire.
ment issue.
What makes the question touchy
one at this time Is the fact that
within a few months the entire
membership of the House and one
third of the Senate will be in the
thick of State primaries for renom-
ination. And even those members
who hold a firm conviction that a
hard-working lawmaker is as much
entitled to retirement annuity as
any other Government servant when
age overtakes them, realize that in
a political campaign clever op-
ponent might make more capital
out of the pension proposal than
more Weighty or important issues.
Rider" Approach Hlnted.
One prominent member of the
House hinted today he would not be
surprised to see the congressional
retirement authorization reopened
as a rider to one Of the pending
appropriation bills.
This served to direct attention to
the fact that within a few days the
Senate will be considering the in
dependent Offices supply bill, which
carries the Governments annual
contribution to the retirement fund
-s105 100000 for the next fiscal
year.
Senator Byrd has not mentioned
the appropriation bill. but he threw
out q suggestion that If the separate
repeal bill is not brought up, . re-
peal amendment could be offered to
some other bill. Senator Byrd
avoided any comment on the