Evening star., 1946-01-13
Many Bills Vital
lou. 5. Workers
FaceCo(ngress
Pay Roises, Health
And Retirement
Measures Watched
BY JOSEPH YOUNG.

One OF the most important legis-
lative calendars in more than two
decades, from the standpoint of
Government employees, will be before
Congress when it reconvenes tomor-
row.
Legislation of vital Importance to
Federal workers, involving pay in
creases, retirement benefits, health
and safety measures and a shorter
work week are among the bills up
for consideration.
Not since 1923, when all Federal
Jobs were placed under the Classifi-
cation Act and salaries were ad-
justed, has there been a legislative
calendar of more importance to
Federal workers, Government off,
cials feel.
House Has Pay Bill.
The most important measure af-
fecting Government employees is the
Senate-approved pay bill providing
for an overall II per cent wage in
crease for Federal workers. The
House Civil Service Committee plans
early hearings on the measure.
An attempt will be made by Gov
ernment employe groups to secure
House passage of more liberal
measure than the Senate bill. Spon-
sored by Senator Downey, Demo-
crat, of California, the bill orig
inally called for fiat 20 per cent
basic pay increase, but the measure
finally adopted was the II per cent
provision offered as a substitute by
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia.
Another important measure is the
House-approved Randolph health
bill which provides for setting up
health clinics in Government agen-
cies for the treatment of minor
illnesses and injuries. The clinics
also would establish health pro-
grams for the benefit of Federal en-
ployes. The Senate is expected to
take up this measure at an early
date.
Fight on Security Seen.
While it has not yet reached the
legislative stage, the proposal of the
House Ways and Means special in
vestigating committee that Federal
employees be brought under social
security regulations is certain to stir
up bitter controversy. The report
is expected to be presented to Con-
gress this week.
Most Government employees unions
have indicated outright opposition
to the proposal, which would >place
Federal workers under social secur-
ity for the first time. and would con-
tinue them under the Civil Service
retirement system on a reduced
scale. The unions oppose any change
in the Federal retirement system,
considered by many the best of its
kind in the country.
In retirement bills pending before |
Congress are provisions for bringing |
members of Congress under the Fed
eral retirement system, tax-exempt-
ing annuity payments under ST ,440
a year, and liberalization of retire.
ment age requirements to provide
for optional retirement for employees
who have given at least Is years of
service
Short Week Considered.
Chairman McCarron of the Sem
ate Judiciary Committee, has intro
duced bill to shorten the Federal
workweek to 30 hours. Chairman
Downey of the Senate Civil Service
Committee has promised Senator
McCarran that hearings will be held
on the bill However, it is extremely
unlikely that any action will be
taken on the measure at this session.
Another important measure is
bill by Senator Downey providing
for Federal Court review of Civil
Service Commission decisions with
respect to character and loyalty of
Government employees, and appli-
cants for Federal employment. The
bill would permit employees ag-
grieved by any finding of the COM
mission to file a petition for review
in the Federal Court for their dis
frirf