Evening star., 1949-09-23

would not affect rank-and-file
employees, who would get only
modest increases anyway. but it
would hit those in top-flight jobs.
The affect of this amendment
would be to lift the present
s10,330 pay ceiling to only s12.396,
instead of the proposed $4,000.
And. if applied to the top-bracket
pay bill, it would cut substantially
the amounts for the Governments
highest officials.
An attempt also can be ex-
pected to have the reclassification
bill recommitted to committee for
further revisions-a move that
would have the effect of killing
the legislation for this year.
All this will result in bitter de-
bate when the Senate takes up the
legislation next week. While Sen
ate leaders say they are confident
the legislation will be approved.
there is possibility the large pay
increases proposed for the Govern
ment's highest officials, will be
trimmed down a bit in some cases.
Democratic leaders expect rather
an easy time in the House next
week for the reclassiflcation and
postal pay bills. House Speaker
Rayburn says the postal measure
will be acted on next Tuesday,
and the reclassification measure,
on Wednesday. The House already
has approved the top-bracket pay
measure.
NOT RETROACTIVE The
forthcoming Executive order to
blanket in war service and tenn
porary Federal employees who have
been with the Government since
before March 16, 1912, will not be
retroactive.
In other words, the ruling will
affect only those war service en-
ployes who are on the Government
payroll when the order is signed.
For example. if the order is signed
tomorrow it would not apply to
an employ who loses his job today.
incidentally. the order will be
issued within the next, few days.
The fact that the order would be
issued was first disclosed in this
column several weeks ago.
STENO SHORTAGE Despite
the fact that the defense agencies
now are engaged in a reduction
in-force program, they still are in
the market for stenographers. -
In fact, top defense official
says: I'VE can use all we can get.
The stenographic shortage stu
alton facing us is acute"
The turnover among steno-
graphic personnel has been heavy,
ana very few of the girls who
worked for the Government dur
ing the war are still at their jobs.
What's more, the Civil Service
Commission hasn't been able to
attract girls to Washington to
work for the Government.
Consequently, the Army. Navy
and Air Force departments are
recruiting stenographers directly,
but without too much success. If
you can type and take dictation
at a moderate rate, apply directly
to the personnel Offices of the
Army. Navy or Air Force depart
ments.
CAPITAL ROUNDUP-The Dis
trict Federation of the National
Federation Of Federal Employees
will participate with the special
committee that has been set up
in establishing the William Jump
Memorial Award, in honor of the
Agriculture Departments late
budget officer. The award will be
given annually to the Government
employe chosen as the most out
standing of the year. The
Society for Personnel Admins
tration will meet at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday in the Archives audi
torium to discuss What Congress,
Top Management, Operating Off
cials, Employees and the Public
Expect Of Personnel officers.
Henry F. Hubbard. vice chair
man of the Federal Personnel
Council. will preside. The