Evening star., 1943-04-09
Senate Expected
To Hold Federal
PayHiketo21%
Life of Overtime
Rate Limited to
June 80, 1914
BY ]. A. OLEARY.

laSJ-mlnute euOrt was being
made in the Senate today to raise
the wartime pay increase for most
Government employees from 2l.6 to
30 per cent for a 48-hour week, but
appeared to have little chance Of
succeeding.
Informed sources predicted the
Senate would pass the bill, SUBJ
stantially as recommended by the
Civil Service Committee, which
means continuation of the present
2l.6 per cent increase for the 20
per cent longer work week now In
effect.
Thousands of employees in the
lower salary brackets would get
more out of the committee plan
then they now receive, however,
because it provides for $500 mini
mum raise in all cases where the
2l.6 per cent overtime increase
amounts to less than $500. (
Year Cut From Bill.
The committee bill also grants
fiat $500 in place of the present
10 per cent raise to employees whose
work cannot be measured in hours,
principally in the legislative and
Judicial branches of Government.
During preliminary consideration
OF the bill late yesterday the SEN
ate agreed to limit its life to June
~, 1914, instead of the same date
IN le45. The change was made on
motion of Senator Russell, Demo-
crat, OF Georgia, who took the view
tnat 1t would be easier to extend the
measure again if the war is not
over next summer than it would
be to repeal the act if the war ends
before 1915.
Even if the Senate accepts the
pay rates recommended by its COM
mlttee, the final terms of the bill
Will have to be worked out in con-
terence with the House, which
passed a different bill Monday.
Chief differences are that the
House bill omits the $500 minimum
for the low bracket employees, paid
on an overtime basis. and substi-
tutes Is per cent raise for the 10
per cent increase now being re-
celved by employees not subject to
overtime. Another variation is that
the House retains, while the Senate
plan repeals, the ban against aly
increase that would run a salary
above $4,000.
800 Issue Revived.
| The move to boost the overtime
rate OF increase from 21.6 to 30 per
cent was revived late yesterday by
Senator DoWney, Democrat, of Cali
tornia, acting for Senator Thomas,
Democrat, of Utah, who was called
away on other business.
When the new pay bill was first
introduced by Senator Mead, Demo-
crat, OF New York, on February 4,
II called for the 30 per cent in
crease for 48-hour week, which
would be equivalent to the regular
tlme-and-a-half rate the Govern
ment has imposed on private in
dustry for overtime.
Senator Downey said he had
joined Senator Mead and Senator
LANCER, Republican, of North Da-
kota, IN favoring that plan, but.
after lengthy consideration, a ma
Jorlty OF the Civil Service Commit
tee had opposed it. For that reason.
he said, he realized those acting for
the committee could not accept the
Thomas amendment on the floor.
but that the Utah Senator had re-
quested him to offer it for debate.
Inc 81 per cent rate of increase for
40 hours would be obtained by COM
putting the overtime on a 26O-dav
work year, instead of the present
360-day yardstick.
Senator Mead explained that the
2l.o per cent raise now in effect is
nothing more than the payment of
straight time for overtime, since it
Is accompanied by 20 per cent
longer work week. For that reason.
he said, the bill does not even an.
proach the Little Steel IS per cent
wage increase formula, because we
do not increase base pay"
Cost Estimated,
The cost of the Senate committee
bill is estimated at $685. 900 900 a.
year, but included in this total i,
S200OOO,OO for continuation of over
time pay some employees of the War
and Navy Departments have been re-
ceiving since 1910. Overtime pav did
not apply to all Government agencies
until passage last December of the
temporary law, which will expire
April 30.
Senator Mead told the Senate the
adoption of the time-and-a-half
rate for overtime, or a 30 per cent
raise for 48 hours, would add about
S219 100000 more to the cost.
Senator Tydings, Democrat, Of
MARYLAND questioned committee
members as to what raises the bill
would grant in the higher brackets
using $4,000 as an illustration. Sena.
tor Burton, Republican, of Ohio
pointed out that, regardless of per.
sons total basic salary, no overtime
may be computed on more than the
first $4,000 Of salary. The Ohio
Senator said this would mean a
maximum raise of $62a a year.
Cites Sick Benefits.
Senator Tydings said he wanted Ia
see those In the low salary brackets
helped, but indicated he had some
doubt about the proposed increase
In a $4,000 salary, in view Of the an
nual and sick leave benefits that 20
with 1t.
Senator Thomas also is expected
to urge elimination Of a provision
allowing departments the option Of
giving employees compensatory time
OH in lieu of pay for work in excess
Of 48 hours a week.
Red Cross Gets $500