Evening star., 1943-02-25

much in the minds of Congress il
considering this legislation" M,
Randolph said.
Mr.. Young said that the ellmina
ton of functions contemplated un
der the temporary war pay Law
which brought the long work weel
into existence would do more to-
ward cutting down personnel thar
the mere lengthening of working
hours. 1t is only in those agencies
having large forces that the length
ened week could reduce personnel
he added.
Representative Rees. Republican
of Kansas suggested that the Gov.
eminent should get rid of "gadgets'
that are not necessary to the wal
effort.
Representative Rees asked Mr.
Young If he did not believe it ad-
vissble to urge Federal employees tC
stay on the Job, since the evils OF
abSenteeiSm are being stressed ir
private industry.
The witness agreed, and Mr. Ran
dolph wryly observed that a survey
of the Congressional Record indi-
Gated "absenteeism" in Congress
that might call for some attention
Employe Groups Back Plan.
The proposed legislation was
warmly supported by Charles
Stengle, legislative representative OF
the American Federation of Govern
rnent Employees, and Luther c. Stew
ard, president of the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees.
Mr.. Stengle pointed out that the
base pay of mechanical employees OF
the Navy Department recently hao
been raised by wage boards, but that
the clerical groups had not received
q basic increase since 1923. He put
In the record a letter from Rear
Admiral Charles w. Fisher. head OF
the shore establishments of the Navy
arguing for removal of pay inequities
as between per annum employees and
those whose compenSat ton IS fixed by
wage boards.
Mr.. Steward told the subcommittee
that the removal of the $4,000 salary
limit on benefciaries was decent
Improvement.
While this ceiling is taken off, the
overtime and fat increase would
continue to be calculated on the first
$4,000 of an individuals salary.
Wants Workers Treated Alike.
Mr.. McReynolds said his in
terest in supporting the over
time principle is to see that all
Government workers are treated
alike. About 60 per cent Of the
governmental personnel was on the
overtime basis before the temporary
pay act passed in December, he
said. The groups under wage boards
have had the time and q half rule
for years and since the war thou
sands of technical workers in war
and Navy have been paid for over
time, he pointed out.
Senator George replied:
"I have personally never liked It.
as applied to annual salaries, and
this is a good time to start in the
other direction.
George Opposes Principle.
Don't misunderstood me-" said
Senator George. II would favor a
straight increase of 25 per cent If
that was deemed necessary, without
injecting the principle of overtime
into the Government departments.
don't think in wartime it is basic
ally sound to pay Government en-
ployes 50 hours pay for 48 hours OF
work"
The Georgian made the statement
after Senator LANCER, Republican,
OF North Dakota, had argued the IS
per cent fiat increase for groups not
subject to overtime is too low and
should alyso be made 80 per cent.
Senator LANCER said the Is per
cent increase would be S270 for an
1900 employe, bringing the total to
s2,070, He figured, however, that
the 5 per cent Victory tax, per
cent retirement payment, 10 per cent
War bond payment and regular in
come tax would take $3.50 off that
salary, leaving $3.50. An employe
with family could no live on that,
he asserted.
Senator Burton, Republican, of
Ohio pointed out a separate bill
now pending for postal workers in
the field calls for fat $500 wartime
bonus.
Mr.. McReynolds said one reason
Tp fovnrc tha ouartiy,o @ nav ,,ootI1orI
is because a continuation of the
longer 48-hour week is necessary.
Senator Burton said Senator
Georges plan could be carried out
by giving all employees $500 more a
year and directing they work 4o
hours.
Mr., McReynolds testified the ad-
ministration is anxious to see the
principle of the pending bill adopted
For the majority of departmental
employees it means a 30 per cent in
crease in base pay for a 20 pei
cent longer week and a fiat Is pei
cent for those whose hours cannot
be measured for overtime. The
temporary law now gives 20 pei
cent above base pay for those get
ting overtime and 10 per cent Il
the others.
Mr.. Flemming said the Govern
ment should not refuse to follow /;
pay principle it requires private in.
dustry to follow
Cites Heavy Turnover.
Citing the heavy turnover in Gov.
ernment jobs, Mr.. Flemming also re.
minded Senators the Government
must compete with industry for per.
sonnet and if after April 30, EN-.
ployes find they can get time and E
half only outside the Government
there will be a tendency to leave
the Federal service. He testified
the Civil Service Commission hac
to place 1888. .857 applicants between