Evening star., 1944-03-04
U. 5. Employees
Garnishee Bill
Passes House
Sharp Attacks
By Opposition
Beaten Down
BY DON s. WARREN.


Overriding all opposition argu-
ments, which included sharp attacks
on loan sharks, "easy payment" in
stallment credit plans and "threats
of imitation" the House late yester-
day passed and sent to the Senate
the bill Of Representative Kefauver.
Democrat, of Tennessee, to permit
garnishment Of the salaries of all
Government workers for non-pay-
ment of bills.
The measure, reported favorably
by the House Judiciary Committee
February l, and adopted by the
House yesterday after more than
four hours sharp debate, by a vote
OF 158 to ia, would permit attach
ment of salaries of nearly 5000 900
Government workers, here and in
the field. This includes some Is 900
District government workers.
Included in this list, by specific
pronouncement by the House would
be all members of Congress and the
Judiciary and all other elected and
appointed civil officers of the United
States, its instrumentalities and
Notwithstanding only those in
the armed services.
Bill is Made Clear.
Mr.. Kefauver had explained that
the measure would apply to mem
bers of Congress and their secre-
tarial STATS, among others, but when
representative Cole, Republican, of
Missouri said there should be no
doubt about the scope of the bill
those in charge of the measure
adopted the specific mention of Con-
gress and the judiciary. This latter
point, brought up constitutional
questions as to whether the inclusion
OF the judiciary would involve a
move concerning reduction of the
salaries" of high court judges. This
thought, however, was pushed aside.
One OF the persuasive arguments
was that If Government worker
was able to get and keep a Govern
ment job he should be able to figure
out his personal financial problems
as well as any one in private employ
ment. Persons in private employ
ment already are subject to gar
nishment proceedings.
Mr.. Kefauver came strongly to
the defense of the measure, insist
ing that objections raised were
imaginary rather than real" He
asserted the American business sys-
tenn was based on extension of credit
and that unless some means of COL
lecting debts was available credit
could not be available.
State Laws Cited.
Mr.. Kefauver reported that all but
three States have garnishment laws.
IN recognition of the credit princi-
pie in American business" and that
SO States have laws providing for
of State and local gov
ernment employees salaries.
Quoting from a, letter from an
official OF the RFC-whose employees
have been subject to garnishment
proceedings since 1940-Mr. Kefau-
yer said the record showed there
had been decrease in writs served
on employees there since 1910. He
argued further that the experience
Of the RFC also showed no increase
IN personnel was required to take
care Of garnishment proceedings
and that, rather, the agency had
had less time devoted to complaints
about non-payment of bills than be-
fore.
He stressed that under his bill a
creditor could not garnishee the
wages of Government employe If
ne charged rate of interest of more
than per cent.
Opposition Offered.
Opposition arguments were offered
by a long list of House members.
Paraphrasing the Roosevelt veto
message on the tax bill, Representa-
tive O'Brien, Democrat, of Michi-
gan, said the garnishment bill 'is q
measure for the relief of loan sharks