Evening star., 1950-03-30

Mr.. Davis did promise to ask
Chairman Murray OF the full COM
mittee to appoint another sub
committee to consider the Rhodes
bill and schedule hearings. But
even if another subcommittee Is
formed, it will be too late for
action this year.
The Davis subcommittee last
year had approved, then shelved,
the so-called Little Wagner Act
that would give virtual collective
bargaining rights to Federal en-
ploye unions. Agencies would be
required to deal with all bona f1de
employe groups on all personnel
matters. The unions would have
the right to participate in all
policy matters concerning en-
ployes, such as dismissals. promo
tions and demotions. as we'll as
all grievances.
X
WHITE HOUSE-There are re-
ports that Donald Dawson. adj
ministrative assistant to Presi-
dent Truman on Federal person.
mel matters. soon may be ap-
pointed to one OF the most I'M
portant jobs in the Government.
Defense Secretary johnson Is
said to be anxious to. have Mr.
Dawson appointed Undersecretary
of Defense when Stephen Early
resigns that post to return to pri-
vate industry.
The question 4, whether Presi-
dent Truman will agree to part
with Mr.. Dawson's services. The
President thinks. very highly of
Mr.. Dawson, who has done an out
standing job, and naturally Mr..
Truman would be reluctant to lose
his services. At one time, Mr..
Dawson also was mentioned for
the Craftsmanship of the Civil
Service Commission, but his i'm
portance to the White House was
one Of the reasons this didn't ma
terialize.
PERSONNEL REDUCTIONS -
House Republican leaders are
cooking up q variety of plans
they hope to tack onto the omni-
bus appropriations bill in an at
tempt to reduce sharply the num-
Der Of Government employees.
One involves an amendment to
provide for a 20 per cent across
the board cut Of Federal workers.
But this isn't expected to get very
far. ,s,.4- s-... ~.
Another proposal. as explained
by Representative Taber. Repub-
lican, Of New York is to forbid
Federal agencies from filling any
vacancies during the next fiscal
year.
This idea of reduction by attri-
tion isn't exactly new. Some Fed
eral officials have said that this
would be the most painless way Of
reducing Federal employment
without hurting present employees.
However, the proposal for a
blanket restriction In this regard
Is considered too severe by Gov
ernment officials. And the chances
are the House won't approve such
an amendment because it would
cause serious administrative and
operational difficulties in Govern
ment.
Those Federal officials who favor
reduction by attrition, whenever
agencies are forced to make per-
sonnel cuts, say this could be done
by the agencies themselves as the
need arises. This would not close
the door to further hirings, al
though it would restrict them
somewhat. At the same time, it
would protect the jobs Of incum-
bents whenever an agency's funds
were sharply curtailed.
LEAVE-Senator Lodge, Repub-
lican, OF Massachusetts, has intro
duced a bill to give postal en-
ployes 26 days annual and Is
days sick leave-the same as the
rest of the Government employees.
At present. postal workers have
Is and 10 days.
EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION
Henry Her, chairman of the
United States Employees Compen-
sation Appeals Board. has been
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