Evening star., 1948-07-04
The Federal Spotlight
Continued From First Page.)

to enact q comprehensive program
to hold living costs down. This
would not only have aided Federal
workers but would also have given
relief to our people generally. But
the Congress did not enact such a
program, and prices have continued
to rise.
Since the Congress failed to take
action to hold down the cost Of
living, it is only fair that Federal
employees should be given pay in
creases to Offset In some degree the
constantly rising cost Of living.
1T is, unfortunate, however. that
the Congress, In attempting to
grant relief, has acted in such a
manner as to aggravate an already
serious situation.
Flat Increase Granted.
The Act grants a fiat increase
to employees covered. by the CLASH
fication Act Differences between
the upper and lower pay grades, al
ready substantially reduced by the
pay raises given in 1945 and 1916,
are further decreased by this Act.
The effect of this Is to reduce seri-
ously the opportunity for salary adj
vancement which should 90 with in
creased responsibility.
For example, young chemists who
/ have Just received their undergrad
uate degrees will receive, under this
Act. $2,97480 a year for working in
Government laboratories. Working
alongside of these recent graduates
will be some Of the Nations out
standing scientists who, after 20
or Is years of service, will be re-
ceiving only $10,330.00 as the heads
of these laboratories.
Another fundamental defect in
the Act is that when this law be-
comes effective the members of
many of our boards and commits
sioners and some heads of agencies
will be receiving $4,000 while groups
of their employees will be compen-
sated at the rate of $10,330. In
other words, those who are ultimately
held responsible for what happens
in these agencies will be getting less
money than some of the persons
employed by them.
This is, of course, a violation of
the principles of sound manage
ment. I know of no other way to
characterize 1t than to say that 1t
is ridiculous Certainly nowhere else
could one find a situation COM
parable to 1t In either public or
private employment.
Industry Is Cited.
mo successful industrial concern
would tolerate a situation which
provided as narrow spread between
entrance salaries and the general
salary ceiling as that which now
exists in the Federal Government or
which resulted in administrators re-
ceiving less pay than some employees
supervised by them.
Businessmen wouldn't tolerate it
because they know that it would de-
stroy the morale of the persons in
their employ and, in many in
stances, result in their most COM
petent personnel seeking and OBJ
tanning employment elsewhere.
The results which would follow
from such a policy in industrial
concerns follow just as certainly in
the Federal Government. The Con-
gress by refusing to follow the sug-
gestions which transmitted to it in
March for general revision and
simplification of the Governments
salary classification structure and by
failing to raise salary ceilings in a
realistic way, has seriously impaired
the morale of some of our best en-
ployes. and has put the Executive
branch in a position where it will
undoubtedly lose more of its most
competent career employees. AS a
result. the Congress has thrown new
obstacles in the way of the efficient
management of the Executive
branch.
Discrimination Charged.
This Act also discriminates
against employees of the District of
Columbia Government, including the
teachers in the public schools, by
excluding them from the present
pay increases. To deny these en-
ployes. living in a city which has
the highest living costs in the Ma
ton, the pay increases given other
employees living in the same area is
grossly unfair.
In spite of these considerations, I
believe that the employees covered
by this act are entitled to at least
as much relief as the Congress has
provided. That is why have signed
the Act.
Il have no intention, however, of
permitting the matter to rest at this
point There are approximately
100000 men and women working
in the Federal Government. They
are conscientious, hard-working,
loyal citizens who are rendering an
outstanding service to the people of
this Nation. I have said before and
say again that have the greatest
respect and regard for their devo-
ton to duty and the work they
are doing.
Plans to Push Efforts.
Il want these employees to know,
therefore, that in the interest of
correcting this intolerable situation
and strengthening and improving
the career service. I shall urge that
Readers Guide
Sunday, July 4, 1948.