Evening star., 1948-03-17

more IMAM likely bQe wage a. JuSt-
ment formula will be set up by
Congress in the future.
Under the plan, salaries would be
revised upward or downward each
year, depending on the Bureau of
Labor Statistics cost-of living index.
Secretary Anderson argued that
this sort Of plan not only would
take care of Federal employees liv-
ing needs. but that 1t would stabilize
Government employment. He told
the committee the designations of
many talented employees could be
avoided. If the plan were adopted.
IF they knew that the cost of
living was going up a certain amount
and that they would be entitled in
future months to certain bonus in
order to take care of 1t, that would
have salutary effect. just as pri-
vate industry Is doing today" Mr..
Anderson declared.
The proposal is one that is bound
to receive serious attention in the
months to come
DILEMMA - The meat packing
strike has presented a perplexing
problem to Government officials.
Several thousand Federal meat in
spectors some Of them in Washing
ton, are employed by the Agriculture
Departments Bureau of Animal
Industry And although they are
Federal employees. their salaries are
paid out of a special revolving fund
which comes from a Government
tax on the various meat packers.
Now the problem arises: Will these
employees be paid while the meat
strike is on? They will be idle, it's
true, but not by their own choice.
They are simply the innocent VIC
tins Of the strike.
Chairman Dirksen of the House
Appropria tions subcommittee which
considered Agriculture's ls49 money
bill, has expressed the opinion that
the employees are entitled to their
salary during the strike.
But some Government officials are
wondering whether the controller
general will agree with this view
They cite past rulings which might
react against payment of Federal
salaries to idle employees.
It's very touchy question. and
BAL employees hope the decision will
be in their favor
- -
SUMMARY DISMISSALS The |
various Government employees
groups have joined the fight against |
the House passed bill to give all
Federal agencies the power to fire
employees summarily. /
Typical OF the opposition to the
legislation is the statement made
by James B. Burns, president Of the
AFL American Federation of Gov
eminent Employees.
This bill would wreck the civil
service system" Mr. Burns declared
No Government employe could .
have any feeling of security, because
the bill would put them at the
mercy Of any capricious Federal
official who could get rid Of them
on any pretext in the name of
national security"
1t is certain the bill would be
vetoed by President Truman If 1t
got to the White House. But Mr..
Burns and the Civil Service Com
would like to salvage the
beneficial phases Of the original
measure and eliminate the firing
proviso.
AS originally passed by the Sen
ate, the bill would have provided
back pay for Government en-
ployes unjustly fired from their
Jobs. Both the commission and
Federal employe groups enthusi-
4stically support this provision.
But the House tackled on the
summary firing proviso That Is
why the original bills supporters
are hoping the Objectionable amend
ment will be eliminated by the
conferees on the bill.
They have asked Chairman LANCER
Of the Senate Civil Service Com
nittee to insist on eliminating the
in conference.
X X X
INCREASED COMPENSATION
The House Labor Committee is ex-
oected to report favorably next week
he bill to increase compensation
payments to Government employees
Who are injured in the line of duty.
Chairman Hartley, who is the
measures sponsor. has promised
Federal employe groups he will seek