Evening star., 1942-12-24

'oC "l1OoC WOI N lOCO llOG lCllu
itself to an overtime schedule.
For many departments and
agencies, the adoption of the A.
hour week will represent a four
hour increase in the working
schedule" the President said in
announcing the signing. OBJ
viously, this will permit reduc-
ton of personnel in some
agencies and eliminate the ne
cessity of filling vacant positions
in others. am expecting you to
take immediate steps to bring
about a reduction in your per-
Sonnel requirements"
1,277,000 Affected.
According to the best estimate
available from the Budget Bu-
reau, approximately 277,000 de-
partment workers here and more
than 100000 in the field are
beneficiaries of the new legisla-
ton, which, for the first time,
recognizes the principle of the
overtime pay for "white-collar
workers."
Legislative and judicial employees
in the Federal Government and Dis
trict of Columbia employes--with
exceptions that include policemen,
firemen and school teachers-also
come under the law. Another meas
ure, affecting policemen and fire.
men, has not yet been signed.
Per diem employees whose wage is
fixed by wage boards or other
authorities; elected officials, heads
of agencies and those outside the
continental United States are ex-
cluded.
The overtime rate is based on the
first $4,000 of salary earned by an
individual, as is the fiat increase.
No raise will be permitted where it
would put salary over $4,000. In
other words, an employe receiving
$4,000 could only earn 5000 over
time, irrespective of the number of
hours worked, or could get no more
than 5000 fiat increase.
The legislation was passed as a
war emergency proposition to off,
set increased living costs and will
be effective only until April 3d. In
the meantime, congressional leaders
plan to work out permanent pro-
gram.
White House Statement.
The following statement was
issued by the White House:
THE passage by the Congress of
the temporary war pay resolution
IS. j. Res 170) is a major step
toward setting the Government
personnel situation in order. For
the employees it removes inequitieS
and meets the rise in the cost of
living by providing increased earn
ingS for more work and longer
hours. 1t also recognizes the acute
manpoWer shortage and, as a war;
time necessity, removes the peace
time luxury of the Saturday half
holiday.
While Saturday thus becomes a
full work day, with legal minimum
of seven hours in the departmental
service, it is my desire that the head
of each department and agency es-
tablish, upon my approval of the
resolution, a general minimum work
schedule of SiX-day, 48-hour week
for both the departmental and field
service. 1 realize that there may be
certain necessary exceptions TO this
general practice in order to meet the
needs of peculiar work condition,
but l am requesting that you report
to the director of the Bureau of the
Budget all instances where regular
hours of work are established at less
than 48 per week.
For many departments and agen-
cies the adoption of a 48-hour week
will represent a four-hour increase
in the working schedule. Obviously
this will permit reduction of person.
mel in some agencies and eliminate
the necessity of filling vacant posi-
tions in others. I am expecting you
to take immediate steps to bring
about reduction in your personnel
requirements.
THE legislation places an added
responsibility on the executive de-
partments and agencies to make full
use Of manpower, to dispense with
every surplus employe and to reduce
personnel wherever possible. We
will accept that responsibility and
act accordingly.
The Federal Government must
concentrate on one task-the win
ming of the war At this time we
must measure all Government ac-
tivlties against the grim standards
OF total war. Many activities desir-
able in peacetimes must be elm
mated, provided only that such
ellmlnations do not result in per-
manent harm to the future health
and security of our individual cit
lzens; many services must be pro-
Vlded at reduced standard; all
agencies, military and civilian. must
take all necessary measures to or
ganize their work for maximum ef-
ficiency. Although we have made
(See PAY BILL, Page 2-XJ