Evening star., 1943-02-25
Hatch AssaiIs
Bill for Job
Confirmation
Action by Committee
On Altered Measure
Deferred Till Monday

OH AiteFeQ measure
Deferred Till Monday
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico loomed today as the leader
Of the opposition to the McKellar
bill to require Senate confirmation
of thousands of Government en-
ployeS who receive $4,000 or more a
year.
The Senate Judiciary Committee
postponed action on the measure
until Monday after a two-hour ex-
ecutive session yesterday. in which
Senator Hatch launched a fight on
the bill with Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, Of Montana taking the
lead in its defense.
AS rewritten by the subcommittee
that held hearings, the bill now ex-
cludes all persons appointed prior
to January l 1886, which reduces
by an undetermined number the 3d.
900 jobs estimated to have been
affected by the original bill
Seeks to Safeguard Status.
The subcommittee redraft also
seeks to meet a Civil Service Com
mission objection that persons now
in the classified civil service would
lose civil service status if their Jobs
became subject to Senate confirma-
ton. The new draft undertakes to-
preserve the civil service status of
such persons after they have been
confirmed.
Another amendment limits appli-
cation of the bill to those whose
pay is fixed at $4,000 or more on
"Rer-annum basis" which, it is be-
lieved, excludes mechanics or others
hired on per-diem basis,
Senator Van Nuys, Democrat. of
Indiana, judiciary chairman, said
If the committee had voted yester-
day the bill would have been re-
ported out by substantial majority
There are indications, however, that
further amendments may be offered
before action is taken.
Chairman Van Nuys explained
that Senator OMahoney, Democrat,
of wyoming wanted more time to
study the bill. Senator Wheeler,
who had moved to report it. with
drew that motion and substituted
a motion to make it the order of
business when the committee re-
conVenes Monday.
Hatch Sees Merit Blow.
II am definitely and fundamen-
tally opposed to the wholesale con-
firmation of appointees by the Sen
ate" said Senator Hatch. Il think
the pending bill is completely de-
structive of the merit system. 1t
would be the greatest setback to the
civil service which has transpired
in many years.
The bill would transfer the nomi-
mating power from the President to
the Senate. AS a matter of actual,
practical application, the Senator'S
would not advise and consent, but
would actually nominate and con-
firm. 1t would place on the Senate
a responsibility it should not bear"
Senator Hatch said he would
favor confirmation of policy-making
positions, but expressed the view
that, if limited to that definition, the
bill would affect comparatively few
positions not already subject to
confirmation.
Senator Danaher, Republican, of
Connecticut, another committee
member, indicated he, too, favored
delay until Monday to make sure
that the redraft gives proper pro-
lection to civil service employees,
as distinguished from policy-making
officials
Wants to Strengthen System.
Il want to see that the people
entitled to the protection of the
civil service continue to receive that
protection" said Senator Danaher.
That would mean fully 9912 per
cent of those already under civil
service would not be affected at ALL
1 want to strengthen the arm of
civil service and improve the bill
by making certain it will do that,
while giving the Senate the right to
confirm where Congress appropri-
ately should have a voice.
Senator Danaher said he wanted
to exempt from the bill employees
who worked up from lower jobs to
$4,000. He said a tentative sub
committee draft several days ago
accomplished that by eliminating
reference to those promoted to
$4,000 or more, but he was not sure
yesterdays redraft had the same
effect.
Senator Van Nuys said last night
he did not believe the subcommittee
changes would alter the Presidents S
opposition to the bill.