Evening star., 1948-03-03
Truman Asks Complete Overhaul
Of Federal Pay Classification Act
Regardless Of Living-Cost Boost
Job List Revision
Might Give Raises
To Thousands
By Joseph Young

PRESIDENT truman To-Day rec
commended in a message to Con-
gress a complete overhauling OF
the Federal Classification Act
which sets Government salaries
He said such a revision lis long
overdue"
The President based his recon-
mendations on the annual report
of the Civil Service Commission
which was also sent to Congress
.oday.
Revision of the act probably would
mean salary increases for thousands
of employees who would have their
lob duties reclassified to higher
5rade.
Mr.. Truman emphasized that
these revisions should be made 'ir-
respective of what the final de-
'cision may be as to further pay in
creases for Federal employees gen.
erally."
House Unit Hears Pay Boost Pleas.
AS the Presidents recommends
tions were on their way to the Capt.
tol, House Civil Service Subcom-
mittee was hearing testimony from
so members of Congress urging pay
raises for Federal employees.
Thirty-five House members ap-
peared before a packed hearing
room to present their views that
Government workers should earn
more and Chairman Butler of the
subcommittee said statements to
that effect would be entered into the
record from about 20 other legis-
lators.
The House committee has before
1t several pay raise bills.
White House officials said that
in the event Mr.. Truman should
decide to support cost-of Living
pay increase for Government en-
ployes, a revision of the Classifica-
ton Act is necessary first. They
said the present inequities in Fed
eral salary rates would be aggra-
waited still further If fiat cost
of-living pay raise were given Fed
eral workers without first revising
the Classification Act.
New Standards to Be Issued.
The Civil Service Commission and
the President recommended that
Federal departments and agencies
Join in reclassifying all Federal jobs
in accordance with new standards
to be issued by the commission.
The President did not recommend
the lifting of the $4,000 Federal
pay ceiling, although he already is
on record as favoring this. White
House officials explained that this
would be the logical outcome if Con-
gress does adopt an entirely new
classification act.
In his message, Mr. Truman took
occasion to pay tribute to the
splendid service" rendered by Gov
ernment employees during the last
few years.
THE quality Of this service has
been such that I can say with en-
phasis that the investment we have
made in the development of career
civil service over the last IS years
has paid. and is paying. real divi-
dends in the form of loyal and eff
cient service to the citizens OF this
Nation" Mr.. Truman declared.
II shall continue to see to 1t thai
the civil service system is constantly
strengthened and that merit ano
efficiency are rewarded by advance
ment."
Hatch Act Leeway Urged.
An indication that the President
might reverse his refusal to support
cost-of Living Federal pay raises
several months ago was contained in
Mr.. Truman's statement that lin
my opinion, the Congress should
enact these classification act recon-
mendations into law irrespective as
to what the final decision may be as
to further pay increases for Fed
eral employees generally"
The commission in its annual re-
See civil, SERVICE Page A-8)