Evening star., 1946-11-05
Election Results
Held Vital 10
u. ). Workers
Outcome Seen Factor
In Salary Increases
For 226, 900 Here
By Joseph Young

Washington's 226, 900 Federal
workers have a vital interest in
the results of today's elections.
On the outcome of the contests
depends to large extent the Gov
ernment workers chances OF obtain
ing further pay adjustments to meet
increased living costs, their tenure
on the Federal payroll, further re-
tirement gains and other benefits.
If the Republicans capture con-
troll of the House and Senate, Fed
eral workers will lose two of their
best friends in Congress as chairlnen
of the House and Senate Civil Serv-
ice Committees. They are Jennings
Randolph of the House Civil Service
Committee, and Sheridan Downey OF
the Senate Civil Service Committee.
Even if the Democrats do retain
control of the House, it is uncertain
whether Mr.. Randolph will be back.
The West Virginian is having a diff
ficult reelection battle, with most
political observers terming the out
come as "tossup." Senator Downey
is not up for reelection this year.
Both men, together with Repre-
sentative jackson, Democrat, OF
Washington, and Senator LANCER,
Republican, of North Dakota, led
the fight that brought two pay raises
within the past two years to Govern
ment employees. Their removal from
the chairmanships, If the Republi-
cans should gain control Of the re-
spective Houses, would be blow to
Federal workers.
Owing to the Congressional! Re-
organization Act, which calls for
many committees to be merged, 1t
is not certain who would get the
chairmanships of these two impor-
tant committees in the event the Re-
publicans win both Houses. AS a
matter of fact, the merging OF COM
mittees could result in change OF
chairmanships even If the Demo-
Gratis win
Senator Reed, Republican, of Kan
sas, would be the chairman OF the
Senate Civil Service Committee, If
the Republicans win the Senate and
the craftsmanship Is awarded on
seniority basis. The reorganization
act calls for the Civil Service and
Post Office Committees to merge,
and Senator Reed has the edge in
seniority on all other Republicans
In both committees. If Senator Reed
declines the craftsmanship, 1t would
probably 20 to his fellow-Republi-
can, Senator LANCER, who has proved
himself to be one of the best friends
Federal workers ever have had In
Congress.
Known as Conservative.
Senator Reed, conservative, has
never been identified too closely
with the group in Congress who have
fought for improved welfare meas
ures for Government workers.
In the event of Republican |
House, the craftsmanship of the Civil
Service Committee probably will 60
to either Representative Hartley OF
New Jersey, ranking minority MEM
ber of the House Post Office and
Post Roads Committee, or Repre-
sentative Rees of Kansas, ranking
minority member of the House Civil
Service Committee.
Mr.. Hartley would get it if it is
decided on a seniority basis, but
Mr.. Rees has been especially inter-
ested in the problems of Federal
workers and probably will fight to
get the assignment.
1t is not likely that Mr.. Rees
would support further pay increases
for Federal workers in order to Off
set rising living costs. Mr.. Rees also
is expected to insist on larger re-
duction of Federal personnel.