Evening star., 1945-05-06
ando|ph Moves DC. Pay Raise
0 Ban Low-Cost Cost Figured
|omes Project AT a Million
House Civil Service
Unit Postpones
Hearings for Week

+ Hearings for Week
Extension Of the proposed is per
cent basic pay raise for Federal en-
ployes to classified workers for the
District government would cost ap-
proximately $4,500000, legislators
were advised yesterday.
At the same time, the House Civil
Service Committee decided to post
pone for week scheduled hearings
on the proposed legislation to in
crease Federal pay, in order to view
the action of the corresponding Sen
ate group on similar bill.
There was no suggestion that
municipal officials were opposed to
a basic pay increase for city en-
ployes, but, as matter of account
ing, the cost was considered in con-
nection with the opening of hear
ings tomorrow on the Districts
1916 supply bill.
Boost Of $780, 900.
In fact, should Congress decide
to continue overtime pay as well as
grant a basic pay raise for Gov
ernment workers, District officials
revealed, the additional costs would
be some 100000 above the an
ticipated $4,500,0O0 for the basic pay
raise.
These estimates of the contem-
plated base pay boost included the
overall municipal staff. The pend
ing bills would apply only to CLASH
fed" employees of the Federal and
District governments, but it was
asserted if this were granted the
same treatment would be sought for
the so-called "nonclassified" serv-
ices, which include police, fire de-
partment and school teachers.
Already awaiting final action is
the proposed pay increase for en-
ployes of the public school system,
including teachers. The District
Commissioners recently approved a
plan to increase pay of such person.
mel and the language of the pro-
posed legislation now is being draft
ed by Richmond B. Keech, corpora
ton counsel.
Budget Of 66 Millions.
AS 1t now stands, the 1916 District
budget totals some sec, 900 900, but
this does not carry any funds for
the currently prevailing overtime
compensation and bonus granted as
a war need to employees With a
continuation of these measures, the
budget for the next year would run
to more than $4,000, 900, and to a
higher figure If Congress approves
basic pay raises.
Meanwhile, Representative Stefan,
Republican. of Nebraska announced
he would move to incorporate in the
1916 District budget funds to draft
plans for a modern home for the
psychiatric unit of Gallinger Hos
pital.
Need for such a building, he said
has been demonstrated amply in
reports by competent investigators,
and he added the planning of this
building should be started now so
that its construction could begin
at the earliest moment possible.
Provision of a new building, he
added, would permit the adoption of
modern methods" of treatment
now impossible because of physical
limitations of the present struc-
ture.
Pediatrics Unit.
He also urged that construction
of the proposed new Gallinger unit
for pediatrics be speeded so that
child cases might be taken out of
the second floor of the present
psychiatric building. The appro-
priation act for this year carried
100000 for plans for the new pediat-
RIGS building and the pending budg-
ct proposes an outlay of some
100000 for construction of the
unit.
Mr.. Stefan, who revealed that
he had made five inspections of
Gallinger in recent months, also
urged that funds be provided to
hire no less than three additional
psychiatrists.
After viewing work on construc-
tion Of new kitchen for Gallinger,
Mr.. Stefan said it should be lone
of the finest in the country" but
that the budget should include addi-
tional funds for management per-
sonnel so that it would not be handi-
capped by lack of help.
Treatment of Alcoholics.
He also recommended that ar
rangements be made for the segre-
gated treatment of alcoholic pa
tients apart from those suffering
from purely mental ailments.
The Senate Civil Service Com
mittee, which concluded public
hearings on the pay bill last week,
will meet in executive session this
week in an attempt to draft its
report.
Both Chairman Ramspeck of the
House Civil Service Committee and
Representative Jackson, Democrat,
of Washington, who heads the sub
committee that will hold the pay
hearings, now tentatively set for a
week from Monday, believe the COM
mittee will be better guided in its
proceedings once it has the Senate
groups bill before it. 1t is felt that
the legislation can be enacted more
swiftly If the two civil service COM
mittees agree on major provisions
of the bill.