Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1948-04-30

n small "straw" boss,
is paid in accordance with the num-
Der of people he employs. The
more people on his payroll the
more money for the boss.
The boss of whatever grade, up
to those being paid $9,975 a year
that is the top civil service family
can get an increase in wages by
the simple expedient of putting
more people on his payroll. He
may not, probably does not, need
more help to do the job, but he is
assured of a raise when he gives
more of the faithful government
jobs. He employs Feather bed
ders" under rules of the civil service
commission.
That silly rule is responsible
for the employment of many
thousands of unneeded people;
many thousands of additional bu-
reaucrats who are but "feather
bedders" serving no purpose other
than that of making possible the
drawing of higher salary by
their boss.
Congress has taken no action on
the Feather bedding" that is di-
rect cost to the American taxpayer.
Congress has, at least, made an
effort to stop Petrillo and his musi-
clans union from forcing payment
of wages to unneeded musicians;
has attempted to save theater own
erS and other operators of amuSe-
ment places unnecessary expendi-
lures, but congress has made no
effort to curb Feather bedding" &C.
tivities of the civil service commits
sion. The over-burdened taxpayer
must dig into his pockets to pay the
wages of many thousands of un-
needed federal government en-
ployees and the increase in salaries
of many small bosses the additional
employees make possible, under
that silly civil service commission
ruling.
The American people are will
ing to pay directors of federal
employees for any increase in eff
cheney. Employing more people
than are needed to do a job is not
what the American people would
term efficiency.
Incidentally, one of the three
members of the civil service COM
mission is Madame Perkins, former
secretary of labor. When she quit
her cabinet post she did not sepa-
rate herself from the government
payroll. On the present job she
draws salary of $4,000 year.
Another Culprit
The sections where the golden Or
anges grow, Southern California,
Florida, Arizona and South Texas,
paid heavy tribute to Jack Frost
during the past winter. The smudge
pots burned on many night when
the thermometer dropped below the
freezing point. Orange gr ow e RS
burned up more than four million
dollars worth of crude oil and with
it a heavy labor cost for firing.
With such expense items the profits
of many an orange grower disap-
peared for a year. The burning oil
did not save all of the crop. It is
estimated that Is per cent of the
nations citrus fruits were ruined. It
means a shortage in our vitamin
"a" products for the next IL months.
1t means heavy dip into the ex-
pected profits of the growers unless
they can sell what they saved from
the ravages of old Jack Frost at a
higher price. We can condemn that
hoary marauder for at least one
higher mark in our living cost. We
must have our vitamin "a"
That two sides, legislative and adj
ministrative, can keep an eye on
the political skies was demonstrate
ed by the statements issued by
Senator Vandenberg and Speaker
Martin a few hours ahead Of the
recent statement to congress by
President Truman.
That nation will win that gets
there first with the "mostest"
planes.
The American people might not,
probably would not, object to con-
tinuance of wartime taxes II the
surplus were all used to reduce the
national debt. They do object to
putting, year after year, one third
or more of their earnings in poi
into which congress dips to finance
every plan some member Of con
gress believes will buy a few votes
The rank and file Of Americans are
asking for government frugality
Economy is popular word, but
politicians do not recognize it.