Evening star., 1946-12-29
By Joseph Young

| The next two years Will nnd Gov
ernment employees on the defensive
as far as the Eightieth Congress is
concerned.
Preservation of hard-won gains
achieved in the last two decades ap-
pears to be the main fight facing
Government employees, rather than
the hope of winning additional new
benefits.
When Congress convenes Friday,
it will be in an economy minded
mood. Already Republican leaders
have announced their intention to
prune Federal expenditures in every
feasible way and this will react
against the workers.
Drastic reductions in Government
personel already are taking place
and it seems likely that the new
Congress will step UP the tempo.
Other economy measures may be
taken by Congress to cut Federal
expenditures.
OF course, Government employees
groups will keep up the fight to have
additional beneficial legislation en-
acted, but just how much Congress
will cooperate remains to be seen.
High on the list of desired legisla-
ton are: Cost-of-l living pay raises,
liberalization of the Federal Retire
ment System, strengthening of the
merit system and unemployment
compensation benefits for dismissed
Federal workers.
Extreme Cuts Unlikely.
The economy mood of the new
Congress, while affecting Federal
workers, is not expected to reach
the extreme measures enacted in
1888 when Government workers had
their pay cut and only one member
of a household was allowed on the
Federal payroll. But other measures
probably will be advocated by econ
omy-minded legislators.
There have been Congressional
grumblings in. the past about too
liberal annual and sick leave pro-
visions granted Government en-
ployes and there may be a move to
restrict these privileges somewhat.
Also, there has been some talk re-
Gently at the Capitol about restoring
the Saturday workday in Govern
ment, thereby achieving more work
hours and making it possible to dis
charge more employees.
officials of Government employees
unions feel that these moves can
be beaten down but stress that it
will take hard work and constant
vigilance to do so.
Another worry of Federal employees
is the desire of some legislators that
the civil service merit system be
revised to permit return to modi-
fed "spoils system" Representative
Democrat, of West Vir-
ginia, outgoing chairman of the
House Civil Service Committee, last
week warned that such a move was
afoot and exhorted Federal employees
to fight any such attempt.
Investigations Planned.
Still another headache for the
workers is the fact that at least
seven Congressional committees will
turn spotlights on various phases of
Federal employees activities ,investi-
eating everything from waste and
inefficiency in Government to ru-
nored subversive elements in the
Federal service. rs s ~ ~ D., /
Z; Chances of constructive legislation5
depend great deal on the men who
will head the House and Senate
Civil Service Committees, the two
most important Congressional COM
nitteeS as far as Government en-
ployes are concerned The chair
have not yet been decided.
In the Senate. it appears that
Senator LANCER of North Dakota will
head the committee. This would be
/ break for Federal workers as in
he past he has proved himself a
champion of beneficial Federal en-
,loye legislation. However, another
definite possibility for the job is
Senator Reed of Kansas who in the
oast has opposed Federal pay raises
md other beneficial legislation for
workers.
The House craftsmanship has de-
,eloped into a three-man contest
With Representatives Rees of Kan
las. Hartley of New Jersey and
Mason of Illinois in the running
70 matter who gets the chairman
ship, he isn't expected to be the
,igorous champion of Federal work