Evening star., 1948-07-04
Pay Bill Signed;
Truman Hifs Il
As Inadequate
Inequities Ridiculous
He Says; Will Ask
Congress to Act Again
By Joseph YOUNG

Permanent pay raises of $3.50
a year for more than 100000
classified Government employees
here became an actuality yester-
day as President Truman signed
the pay legislation into law and
accompanied the signing with a
blast at Congress for inequities
in the law.
Describing some features of the
bill as ridiculous" the President
said he had signed the bill even
though the Act meets neither the
needs of employees nor those of the
Government" He explained that
he did this because the Government
employees covered are entitled to "at
least as much relief as Congress
has provided"
He scored Congress again for
failing to follow his recommended
tions and recalled that he had
recommended last January legisla-
tion to hold down the cost of living.
He said this would have aided
Federal workers as well as people
generally.
Employees Morale Impaired.
He said he had urged revision of
the Federal pay structure and point
ed out that Congress had failed to
do this and thus had seriously i'm
paired the morale of some of our
best employees" He warned the
Federal Government is in danger of
losing some of its best employees.
Mr.. Truman emphasized that he
had no intention "of permitting
the matter to rest at this point"
He said he would urge Congress to
pass legislation setting Federal pay
scales at proper levels for all en-
ployes, including members of the
Cabinet and key officials
Chairman Rees, of the House
Committee on Postoffice and Civil
service. said meanwhile that it will
study between now and next Janu-
ary the matter of salary inequities
and unfair classification practices.
On the basis of this study, Mr.. Rees
added, legislation can be recon-
mended to Congress which will
eliminate waste and needless per-
sonnel and save the Federal Gov
ernment an estimated 100000, ,000."
d. C. Workers Omitted.
Pointing out that under the new
legislation some agency heads will
now receive less money than groups
of their subordinates, MIR. Truman
said this violates the principles OF
sound management. Il know of no
other way to characterize it than to
say that it is ridiculous" he added.
He also said the failure Of Con-
gress to include District of Column
bia employed in the pay raise bill
was grossly unfair"
The raises become effective this
month and will show up on next
months Federal pay checks. Postal
workers will receive a permanent
pay boost of $3.50 year.
The President took occasion to
praise the Governments 100000
employees as conscientious, hard
working, loyal citizens who are rem
dering an outstanding service to
the people of this Nation" He de-
clared that he has the greatest re-
spect and regard for their devotion
to duty and the job they are doing.
The pay raises are effective as of
July /, two days ago. Certain in
creases in postal rates also were
provided by the bill; these go into
off act peyt Iap,Iarv
The postal increases include: Air
mail letters from S to 6 cents an
ounce "a special rate of cents is
provided for airmail postcards as
compared to the present 5 cents;
special delivery from 13 cents to
Is cents; money order fees, IN
creased about so per cent; regis
tered mail fees, up about rs per
cent; insured mail, up Is per cent,
and C. o. D.. up about 20 per cent.
Text of Statement.
Here is the text of Mr.. Truman's
statement:
II have today signed the Postal
Rate Revision and Federal En-
ployee Salary Act of 1948 III. r.
6916).
Il have done so even though the
Act meets neither the needs of the
employees nor those of the Govern
ment.
In my Budget Message in JAM
uary. I stated that the best ap-
proach to the cost-of-living prob
lem faced by Federal employees was
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