Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-26
Proposa|sSeen
To Cut Non.War
j. ). Functions
Young, Budget Bureau
Analyst, Testifies
On Overtime Pay Bill


tons not essential to winning the
war.
Testifying on the Mead bill to con-
tinue overtime or fat percentage
pay increases for Federal employees
after April 80. Mr.. Young referred to
curtallment of essential func-
tons as one likely result of the pro-
vision in the temporary pay act di-
recting the Budget Bureau to find
out whether each Government
agency can justify its present num-
Der of workers
Meanwhile, House Civil Service
Subcommittee virtually completed
its hearings on legislation to liberal
lie the war pay of Government
workers after hearing representa-
tives of Federal unions voice ap-
proval of raise in overtime rates
and fat Is per cent increase to
classes whose work does not lend
itself to an overtime schedule.
Another Meeting Considered.
At the conclusion of the morning
session Chairman Randolph said the
House subcommittee might hold one
more meeting next week to ask
some personnel officers what had
been accomplished in the way of
economies by frightening the work
week under the current pay law
which expires April 80. That, how
ever, will be decided later, he added.
Mr.. Young told the Senate COM
mittee that the agencies had until
January % to submit their juSti-
f1cations, and the analyzing of the
reports has been "a stable Job"
The bureau, however, will be ready
in few days to begin announcing
its findings, the witness said.
He said the chief advantage of
making the 48-hour week universal
in the Government will be to hold
down the need for new employees,
even where it does not result in elm
ination of existing personnel. He
explained that some of the expand
Ing agencies actually have fewer
employees than have been authorized
and in these cases the 48-hour week
will tend to avoid the need for fill
ing vacancies.
There are limitations on the
amount that NAV be saved from the
longer work week, however. since
the War and Navy Departments
already were on a 48-hour week be-
fore December, Mr.. Young said.
Substantial Reduction Seen.
Notwithstanding these limita-
tons" he continued, there will be
substantial reduction in personnel
requirements by reason of the 49,
hour week, and even greater reduc-
tons from eliminating functions"
He declared that in time of war
the Government should not en-
gage in any function that does not
contribute to the war effort, or that
is not necessary to maintenance of
orderly Government.
White-collar per-annum workers
in naval establishments should be
given a Is per cent increase in their
gasic annual salary, in addition to
overtime for the 40-hour week, to
eliminate ineouities between them
and mechanical groups. Rear Adj
miral Charles w. Fisher, in charge
of shore installations, told the COM
mittee.
william H. Kushnick, director of
civilian personnel of the War De-
partment. testified the inequities
between the pay rates of wage board
and per annum employees cited by
Admiral Fisher also exist in the War
Department and on a greater scale,
because larger numbers are in
VOWED
N. P. Alias, president of District
a, International Association of Ma
chinists (AFL) told the House group
he favored elimination of the pro-
vision in, the legislation making
overtime and fiat increase payable
only in the first $4,000 of an in
diyidual's pay. He agreed, however,
that 1--WE would feel it was a good
days work if Congress should pass
the bill exactly as it is
Closed-Sho Question.
Representative Manasco, Demo-
crat, Alabama, inquired if the wit
ness would advocate the closed shop
in Government. L don't see why
Government employees shouldn't pay
for the benefits they receive from
unions the witness responded.
Don't you think strike in the
Government would be an act of re-
bellion?" Mr.. Manasco asked.
NO" the witness responded, add
Ing that the discussion was AGA
demic" as Government unions were
not considering either the closed
shop question or strikes.
Called Sound Policy.
Arthur c. Stein, representing the
CIO United Federal Workers, also
Endorsed the pay raising measure,
and Oscar H. Grauer, legislative
representative Of the Clio InteIna-
tional Federation of Architects. En-
gineerS, Chemists and TechniCianS.
said the legislation proposed a
sound, consistent overtime policy"
He asked that the $1,000 base for
computing the increased pay be
Changed to 5000.
4NN l.. NCOA St. Pl tS-GtIll VI tllt
National Federation Of Post Office
Clerks, said the Legislative Council
Of the American Federation Of Labor
supports the legislation. Postal en-
ployes are pressing for an individual
bonus bill and Mr.. George said he
regarded as arbitrary" a statement
in opposition to that measure by
William M. McRenyoldS. admins
tratlve assistant to the PRESIDENT,
who told the subcommittee he would
be delighted" to recommend a veto
If the bonus bill passed.
Edgar G Brown. president Of the
United Government Employees, a col
ored organization, urged that the
legislation include a provision to bar
its benefits to any union guilty Of
racial discrimination He accused
the AFL OF discriminating against
the colored race in the mechanical
trades.
Dr.. William Sprige's