Evening star., 1943-04-06
Senate Action
Near on u. s,
D. {. Pay Hike
House Passes Bill to
Continue Overtime,
Roises Flat Increase
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

kulSeS flot Increase
BY J. A. OLEARY.
The Senate will act late today or
tomorrow on the wartime pay bill
for Federal and District employees,
which passed the House yester-
day, 224 to 107.
For about 1.50O, 900 workers whose
week can be measured for overtime
including most departmental en-
ployes-the House measure con-
tinues the 21.6 per cent raise granted
IN December for 20 per cent longer
week.
For those whose hours cannot be
measured-principally in the legis-
lative and judicial branches-the
new bill grants a IS per cent fiat
increase, instead OF the 10 per cent
now being paid.
For both classes, the new bill re-
tains the rule In the temporary law,
requiring increases to be computed
only On the first $4,000 of a salary.
The House also adhered to the pres
ent ceiling of $1,000, which means
that person getting $4,000 cannot
be increased above $4,000.
Two Senate Changes Advocated.
In the Senate, two new features
will be advocated. One seeks to
deal more literally with the low
bracket by providing that a $500
minimum raise be granted those
for whom increase would be less
than that, either on the overtime
or fiat percentage basis.
The second change recommended
by the Senate Civil Service Com
mittee Civil Service Committee
would eliminate the $1,000 ceiling,
so that raises could be granted above
that level, but still computed only
on the first $4,000 of base pay.
The new bill takes effect May I,
when the temporary law expires,
and would continue until June 80,
1945. with power reserved in Con-
gress to terminate it earlier.
Chairman Ramspeck of the House
Civil Service Committee encoun-
tered some opposition in that body
yesterday, chiefly on the ground that
takingethe bill up under suspension
Of the rules limited debate and pre-
vented the offering of amendments.
Roll Call Required.
On preliminary standing vote,
the division was 1873 to 90. This was
less than the two-thirds required
to suspend the rules, and forced a
roll call. Then followed the record
vote of 224 to lot, which put the
bill through.
Mr.. Ramspeck told the House
that some of the members who
spoke against this general pay bill
voted two weeks ago to give field
workers in the postal service IS per
cent increase.
Representative Keefe, Republican,
of Wisconsin took a leading part
in objecting to suspension of the
rules. He said he was not against
special rule from the Rules Com
mittee, fixing the length of de-
bate. He was supported by Repre-
sentative Cox, Democrat, of Geor.
gia.
Tarver Opposes Bill.
Representative Tarver, Democrat,
of Georgia opposed the bill and
said he was proud he was one of
four members of the House who
voted against the postal bill also.
Supporters of the bill had ex-
planned that the temporary law
passed in December was estimated
to cost $685., 100000, and that the
changes made yesterday added only
$4,000, ,00G to that total. Mr.. Tarver
argued the Government could save
$567 100000 by not passing the new
bill.
Republican members of the Civil
Service Committee supported the
bill and Representative Clason, Re-
publican. of Massachusetts, said if
he had his way a more liberal bill
originally proposed would have been
reported.
Welch Cites Pay Scales.
Representative Welch, Republican,
of California also defended the
measure, pointing out that Al per
cent Of the Governments personnel
receive less than $1,620, and 81 per
cent less than $4,000 year.
Mr.. Ramspeck emphasized that,
while the bill refers to overtime in
excess Of 40 hours, it is computed
on the basis Of 360-day work year,
which means that with the 48-hour
week in effect, employees get 216
per cent raise for a 20 per cent
longer week. This, he said, is little
more than straight time for 48 hours.
Under the wage-hour law, he said,
private employers must pay for over
time on the basis of 260-day year,
which produces a 30 per cent in
crease for a 48-hour week.