Evening star., 1948-12-07

reclamation projects throughout the
country.
These members say it would be
better to transfer some public works
activities to the Interior Department
and let the other related activities
lin Government remain where they
are.
Still another proposal-and one
that is receiving considerable atten-
tion-is to create Department OF
Public Works, but one that would
be supervised by a board OF distln-
guished citizens in private life.
This panel would serve in a
watchdog" capacity to see that no
political considerations enter into
the awarding of projects to the vari-
Gus sections of the country. The
board would make recommendations
on various projects based on desir-
ability and need.
All this indicates that the Hoover
Commission is far from agreement
on the Department of Public Works
proposal The final decision will be
reached some time between now and
mid January, when the group Is
scheduled to transmit its far-reach-
ing Government reorganization re-
port to Congress.
CAUTIOUS-FollQwing this COL
umn's announcement Sunday that
the Federal Recreation Committee
will distribute bargain-rate tickets
among Government employees to see
The Red Shoes" at the National.
one of the more timid souls asked
her agencys personnel director:
You're sure there's no Commu-
nistic propaganda in the picture?"
II X X
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
The Bureau of Agricultural Eco
nomics Club has elected c. Kyle
Randall as president. Others chosen
were Mrs. Irene Hardaway, vice
president; Miss Elva McCafirey.
treasurer, and Miss Dorothy Mise
wander, secretary.
WORTHWHILE PROJECT-The
Agriculture Department. Red Cross
unit will stage a children's show at
2:30 pm. Saturday and two musical
programs at $3.50 pm. December Is
and II in the Jefferson Memorial
Auditorium
Proceeds Of these three events
will be used to purchase television
sets for hospitalized servicemen and
veterans in Washington area hos
pitfalls. These sets will be presented
to the patients in time for Christ
mas. Tickets are available at Room
101l-S.
This project is only one of the
many worthwhile activities spon-
sored by the Agriculture Depart
ments Welfare Association a wide
awake group whose activities should
set pattern for other Federal
agencies. Incidentally. the associa-
tion's Employees News Bulletin is
one of the best of its kind in the
Federal service.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM-The
Legislative Committee of the AFL
Government Employees Council
which represents % Federal unions
claiming a total membership Of
more than 100000 Government
workers. will meet this afternoon to
map final plans for its legislative
drive In the new Congress.
There's strong sentiment in the
group to junk Classification Act pay
revisions for the present in favor
Of a new cost-of-living pay raise
drive. That's because Classification
Act changes would bring Federal
employees only token pay increase,
while cost-of-liVing increase
would. be something substantial.
The odds appear to be against a
substantial Federal pay raise. how
ever. AS this column pointed out
many weeks ago. President Truman
isn't likely to support such legisla-
ton. The White House seems in
clined to support Classification Act
revisions. but that's about as far as
it will 60. At least, that's the way
the situation looks right now.
The Government Employees Coun-
Gil is we'll aware of this, but ap-
palently its leaders feel that by
lining up sufficient support in Con-
gyess they can put the pressure on
the administration to support gen.
eral pay increases. Whether they
canifaI hirlines Fined $500