Evening star., 1945-02-25

factors make this insufficient One Is
that he must move to Washington and
back as family unit, and the other is
he must do much travelling of an off,
cial nature for which he receives no
compensation.
List of Adjustments.
Adjustments representing the extra
expenses have been made as follows:
TAXES-The sum of $1,374 for an
executive has been increased only by
the amount additional which the Con-
gresham pays in Federal income taxes
No allowance has been made for any
greater burden in other taxes.
WAR BONDS-Ten per cent of salary
has been taken in each case. Since the
Congressman's budget shows large def
icit, no amount has been set aside for
purchase OF additional War Bonds
FOOD-The amount of 1920 for an
executive has been increased by the
amount which a Congressman must
spend on items incident to congressional
service such as luncheons for constitu-
ents and very small amount for eve
ming entertainment. The Heller budget
allows none for the former while the
Cor gressmans average expenditure is
1864. For the second item, the Heller
budget allows s51 while the Congress
mans average expenditure is s679.
CLOTHING-No increase in allowance
is made for a Congressman and his
family. Yet they do undoubtedly re-
quire something more by the very nature
and extent of congressional duty. This
does not mean fancy clothes and a big
layout, but wear and tear and necessities
OF change for climate and other factors
I might say that Congressman no longer
can afford striped britches and cutaway
coats even for oficiaI funerals. Few
now even have dress suits, and my esti-
mate does not include anything for
striped britches and dress suits or any
fancy clothes-only essential clothing.
HOUSING-The figure of 81, 1,051 is the
total cost of one residence for a year
The average Congressman pays 81, ,628
year for rent of an apartment or hotel
in Washington in addition to the main
tenance of a residence in his district
The figure is adjusted to include this
expense. My own personal knowledge
OF apartments and the average Con-
gresSmans is much higher than this.
The figures I know to be low The few
who stay at fairly good apartments pay
from $4,000 to $1,000 a year in extra
rent.
HOUSE OPERATION AND FUR
NISHINGS-A Congressman must main
tain two residences. Therefore, addi-
tions have been made for this, but the
additions have been moderate.
AUTOMOBILE OPERATION AND
UPKEEP-The Heller Committee budget
allows $l25 to cover operating costs,
repairs, insurance, tax and license, based
on an A card. The average Congress-
man says his expense is 1903 per year,
but think it is more. That is due to
long travel and other essential travel.
GIFTS-The executives family has an
allowance of $67 for gifts. The average
Congressman spends $721 on birthday,
wedding, graduation and anniversary
gifts, funerals and so on. 1t may be
argued he does not have to do this.
However, in the nature of his occupa-
ton, good manners require it, wholly
outside OF politics.
ASSOCIATION, CHURCH, CLUB
DUES-There Is an allowance of $46 for
the executive. For the average Con-
gresham we have set the figure at SIT,
which is low, much lower than mine
ever was.
TELEPHONE TOLL CALLS = The
average Congressman's toll calls amount
to $494 year. The Heller Committee
budget allows only 50 year. Why
Congressman don't charge phone calls,
practically all of which are oficial OF
due entirely to the nature of their oc-
cupation, is mystery to me.
NEWSPAPERS-The Heller budget
includes one newspaper at $18 year
Newspaper and other essential SUBJ
scriptions for the Congressman amount
to an average yearly expenditure of $ll1.
Heavy Extra Expenses.
In addition to these adjustments
extra expenses incurred by Congress
man, and not included in the executives
budget are: Rail and plane transports
ton. $798; taxi fare, $331; extra clerk
hire, $644; extra postage and kilograms,
1882.
There is a widespread recognition Of
the need for increased compensation
for members Of Congress.
The job is worth salary Of 700
Service In Congress is the top legislative
job in the country and should carry
compensation in line with that Of top
Jobs In other fields.
When a person is elected to Congress
his position is now full-time job
whereas members formerly could main
tain private businesses simultaneously
Tns expenses Of the Job require : s25.oot
aalA1y.