Evening star., 1949-01-11
Senate Leaders Seek
Action Thursday on
Presidential Pay Raise

IriCSIuCiliIoI ray NoISC
Democratic leaders said today they
hope to have the Senate act Thurs
day on a bill raising the salaries of
the President and Vice President.
Senate Republicans decided to go
along on this. They declared, how
ever, they would oppose quick action
on proposed pay increases for 222
other top Government officials and
boosts of $3.50 to 1880 Federal
workers, including District employees.
The Senate Civil Service Com
mittee was to meet late today to
consider the overall pay raise meas
ure. 1t will vote whether to push
ahead with the entire bill or recon-
mend separate action at once to
boost the Presidents salary from
$4,000 to 100000, with an addi-
tional $4,000 taX-exempt allowance.
The Vice Presidents pay would be
increased from $4,000 to 100000.
Must Act Before January 20.
These changes would have to be
enacted before President Truman
and Vice President-elect Barkley
begin their term January 20.
Meanwhile, another pay raise bill
went into the congressional hopper
yesterday. Representative Lane,
Democrat, of Massachusetts, spon-
sored a House bill providing for a
$3.50 annual pay raise for all postal
and classified employees in the Fed
eral Government
President Truman, without men
tioning his own pay. yesterday urged
prompt action in raising the income
of high Government officials. He
wrote Senate President Pro Tenn.
McKellar that business Is outbid-
ding the Government for liable
men,"
Senator Barley, continuing as
majority leader until January 20,
said today the Democrats hope to
bring a pay raise bill to the Senate
floor Thursday.
Gives Speaker Increase.
The bill under consideration was
introduced by Senators Lucas, Dem
ocrat, of Illinois: O'Conor. Democrat,
of Maryland; Baldwin, Republican,
of Connecticut, and Flanders, Re-
publican, of Vermont. Senator
Flanders headed a subcommittee
that held hearings on the subject
last month.
Besides providing for the presiden-
tial and vice presidential salary
raises, it would give the Speaker
$4,000 instead of $4,000 a year. It
also would allot $4,000 expense al
lowances to the Vice President and
Speaker. It is believed unlikely
Speaker Rayburn will receive an in
crease during his current term.
Pay of cabinet members would 60
up to $25,0OO, an increase Of $l0,0Ce.
Pay Of heads Of various independent
agencies and others who now get
from $4,000 to $4,000 a year would
be set at $4,000, $4,000 and $22.-
500.
Costs S6,2O7, 600 Yearly.
The overall cost of the pay hikes
would amount to $6,207 900 a year.
The Senate Republican Policy
Committee agreed yesterday to sup
port the provisions for the Presi-
dent and Vice President. But Sena-
tor Taft, Republican of Ohio, Policy
Committee chairman, added: I'VE
doubt the need of rushing the other
pay increases through before jan
uary TO-"
In another new measure relating
to Government workers, Represent
ative Williams, Democrat, Of Missis-
sippi proposed establishment OF a
board Of Appeals on efficiency ratings
In the Civil Service Commission.
Both bills were referred to the
House Post Office and Civil Service
Committee.
Eligibility Bill Offered.
Representative Reed, Republican,
Of New York dropped a bill in the
House hopper to amend the legisla-
tive reorganization act to provide
eligibility for appointment in the
executive branch Of Government for
former professional staff members
of the Senate and House Commit
tees. The measure was referred to
the House Committee on Admins
tration.
Representative Lesinsk. Demo-
crat, of Michigan, in new bill in
troduced in the House. proposes to
provide employees who receive perm
anent disabilities in line of duty.
The measure was referred to the
House Committee on Education and