Evening star., 1946-07-10
Downey Pushes
Senate Bills on
Civil Service
Employees Measures
Face Difficulty as
Adjournment Neurs
BY Joseph Young

by Joseph 1ounq
Chairman Downey of the Senate
Civil Service Committee today
sought the cooperation of admin
istration leaders in getting quick
action on a group of bills affecting
Government employees which re-
ceiyed the approval Of his commit
tee late yesterday.
The short time remaining before
the expected adjournment of Con-
gress some time this month is the
main difficulty facing some of these
bills. Both Senator Downey and
Chairman Randolph of the House
Civil Service Committee are seek
ing to bring the bills up for House
and Senate action as soon as DOS
sible
Backers OF the Randolph health
bill, which would set up health
clinics in Federal agencies and pro-
vide for health programs for Gov
ernment employees. said after yes
terdays meeting that Senate OBJ
jections to the bill had been met
and that compromise had been
worked out. They expressed the
hope the measure will be passed by
the Senate.
Stalled Nearly Year.
Enacted by the House nearly a
year ago, the bill was stalled in the
Senate because some Senators
thought the Public Health Service
should have voice in the admin
istration Of the health programs,
along with the Civil Servic Commits
sion. An amendment to this effect
is expected to be offered by Chair
man Downey of the Senate Civil
Service Committee. paving the way
for Senate passage.
Another measure approved by the
committee is one that would permit
scientific, technical and professional
personnel in the Government to
take leaves of absence with pay to
enable them to carry on advanced
research and study in universities
and colleges in their communities.
Those selected by agency heads to
take the leaves would not be allowed
more than 18 months in every 10
year period. Those who would get
leave of six months or less would
have to sign statements guarantee
ing their return to Government
service for at least two years. Those
who would be given more than six
months would be required to promise
to return to Federal service for at
least four years after their studies.
introduced by Senator Tydings,
Democrat, OF Maryland the bill seeks
to improve the caliber of the Gov
ernment's scientific and professional
personnel. No action has been taken
in the House on similar legislation.
Annuity Benefits.
The Senate group also approved
bill to grant annuity benefits to
Federal employees who have lost
their jobs after Is years or more OF
service in the Government. How
ever, an amendment was added to
the bill restricting the measure to
persons SIS or older. This would
deprive thousands of workers under
SIS, who have accumulated Is or more
years of service before losing their
jobs, of the benefits provided by the
bill as approved by the House Civil
Service Committee. The House has
not yet taken action on the bill,
some members objecting to the cost
OF the legislation.
Antoher bill approved by the COM
mittee would provide promotional
advancements to some military vet
erans now in the Federal service.
The bill would affect those persons
who were on civil service certified
job lists waiting for appointments
to Government jobs when they
entered the armed forces. The
measure provides that these people
get all the promotions they would
have received had they remained
in the Government. The bill has
been passed by the House, and its
chances of Senate enactment are
good.
A bill to bring the heads of execu-
tive departments and independent
agencies under the Civil Service
Retirement Act was approved by
the committee. The measure has
passed the House.
Other bills approved by the COM
mittee provide for uniform admin
istration of efficiency ratings to
bring wage board employees under
the Civil Service Commission
efficiency rating program, and a
measure to enable a retired Gov
ernment employe to receive both
her annuity benefits and benefits
occurring from the death OF he1
deceased husband, who was also a
Federal employe. The latter bill
has passed the House.