Evening star., 1950-01-01

Grams preference. Inc senate civil
Service Committee has already ap-
proved bill to give non-veteran
career employees with Is years or
more service equal job retention
rights with veterans in Govern
ment reduction-in-forc programs.
At present, veterans must be re-
tanned ahead of non-veterans in
their particular category. regard
less of seniority factors.
This bill has not been acted on
by the Senate. A House Civil Serv-
ice Subcommittee has held hear
ings on the measure, but has not
acted.
Indications are that the legis-
lation won't be enacted this year.
A combination Of circumstances,
highlighted by the fact that this
is an election year and the po-
litically-powerful veterans groups
are strongly opposed to the meas
ure, makes 1t unlikely that Con-
gress will approve any modifica-
tion of veterans preference this
year.
Cut in Leave Advocated.
Reduction of Federal employees
|26 days annual leave to 20 days is
being advocated by some members
of Congress. But other lawmakers
are cool to the proposal, which
may come to a head when legis-
lation is offered to increase postal
workers Is days annual leave to
26 days. Sponsors of the postal
leave bill may propose a compro-
mise whereby all Government
workers would get 20 days vaca-
ton a year, but the attitude of
Congress on the entire leave issue
remains in doubt.
It appears likely that Congress
Will approve a reclassification Of
the postal pay act. President Tru-
man is said to be extremely anx-
ious that the postal classification
system by overhauled and mod
ernized the same way that the
Federal classification act was
streamlined several months ago.
This postal reclassification won't
benefit rank-and-f1le postal en-
ployes financially. Their salaries
would remain the same. But it
would provide pay raises to pos.
tai supervisors and postmasters.
Veterans May Benefit.
There's a good chance that Con-
gress will approve legislation CIV
ing veterans credit for Within
grade promotions for the time
they spent Ia the armed forces.
This would apply to veterans who
entered the Government for the
first time after the war. Other
veterans In the Government al
ready have been provided for.
The Senate approved such bill
for postal veterans last year and
the measure is now before the
House. The House Civil Service
Committee has approved it. If Con-
gress gives f1nal approval to the
bill this year-and indications are
that 1t will-then there's an ex-
cellent chance that similar bene-
fits will be extended to the rest of
the veterans in the Federal service
who have not been credited for
the time they spent in the armed
forces.
Prospects seem fairly good for
the bill to provide the depend
ents' OF retired Government en-
ployes with survivorship annuity
benefits, at less cost to the an
nuitants. Similar legislation was
approved last year for present
Government employees, who will
get these benefits on retirement.
But those already retired did not
benefit.
Tax Exemption Doubled.
Chances do not seem too bright
for the bill to tax exempt the
first 81 400 in civil service annu-
tiles. barring a change Of heart
by the House Rules Committee,
which has failed to act on the
measure for several years now.
Federal employe unemployment
compensation legislation also has
been bottled up by the House
Rules Committee. However, the
various employe groups will put
up strong fight for the bill this
year. although they face an uphill
struggle.
Lessening of Hatch Act penal
ties in cases of minor or unwit-
ting violations finally may be ap-
proved by Congress this year.
The Civil Service Commission has
backed this legislation for years.
asking that it be given the discre-
ton to assess minor penalties such
as small fine in cases of minor
violations.
The House approved the bill last
year and it is now before the
Senate. Complicating the situa-
ton is the Senate Rules Commit.
tees action in amending the
Houses bill to give nearby Mary
land and Virginia Federal en-
ployes the right to participate on
"a partisan basis In local elections.
This provision aroused the ire of
several Senators who have blocked
the entire legislation. However,
there is some hope Of getting
final approval this year Of at
least the lesser penalty proposal
advocated by the commission.
May Act On Cafeterias.
Congress may take action to
subject Federal cafeterias and
other enterprises run by private
concessionaires to close super
vision by the General Accounting |
Office. There appears to be con-
siderable sentiment In favor Of a
bill to this effect introduced in
the closing days of last years
session by Representative Karsten,
Democrat, Of Missouri.
Congress also may act favor
ably on the bill relieving Gov
ernment employees Of having to
furnish their own surety bonds.
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