Evening star., 1951-06-07
The Political Mill
Rise in Federal Payroll
Due to Aid Democrats
Big lncredse in Patronage
Certain to Swuy Votes
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

AS the Democrats prepare for their
race next year to retain control of the
Federal Government they will not over
look one item which may favor them
immensely-the Federal payroll. Fed
eral patronage-which in plain language
means Federal jobs from the laborer
pointive officers-is increasing rapidly,
under the Korean war and national
defense emergency. In actual money,
the payroll has already equalled; and
is presently to exceed, the peak reached
during the Second World War, although
the number Of civilian employees is still
considerably less than the wartime peak
Of 3.5 million.
But there is hope-the number Of
civilian employees of the Government
increased at the rate Of 1900 a day
during the month Of April. If that rate
Of increase is kept up during the next
IL months, another $4,000 persons will
be added to the payroll. The total at
the close of April was 2,409,121. Per-
haps by the close Of April next year
the total will be close to million. How
many votes will this tremendous number
of Federal employees mean to the ad-
ministration? And in addition to the
individual votes of the Office holders,
how many votes will be influenced by
the Office holders? Not all the Office
holders may be expected to vote the
party line, but the great mass of them
will so vote. It is almost beyond human
nature to expect them to vote against
the paynlaster.
Near Peak of Last War.
The Federal payroll, for civilian EN-
ployes, at the peak Of employment dur
ing World War II, was $S.3 billion.
That's q huge sum. and the payroll
today is equal to it, due to Federal
pay raises since 1945. II the expected
increase in the number of employees
ri1aterializes in the next year. the total
cost will be in all probability $40 billion
or more. How can the party out Of
power hope to overcome the tremendous
advantage, to offset probable nest egg
Of 10 or Ia, or even IS million votes, all
influenced by this Federal payroll? It's
a tough assignment for the Republicans.
Two congressional committees have
never been looked on with favor by the
New Dealers and the Fair Dealers in
control of the Government. One Of
them is the House Committee on Un-
American ActivitieS-the outgrowth Of
the old Dies committeeman the other
is the Joint Committee on Reduction
of Non-essential Federal Expenditures.
headed by that watchdog Of the Treas
ury, Senator Harry Flood Byrd Of VII.
ginia. The first has borne down heavily
on the left-wing friends Of the admin
istration, and the second has revealed
to the public the details Of Federal EN-
ployment and the ever mounting costs.
1000 Added Daily.
Chairman Byrd's most recent report
contained the figures already given for
civilian employment. The same report
also showed just where the increases
in Federal civilian employment were be-
me made AS is natural under existing
conditions, the great increase has been
in the number of civilian employees In
the military establishment. For 10
month period the increases Of civilians
employed In the military establishment
have averaged more than 1000 day.
Notwithstanding the need for curtail-
= ing expenditures outside Of the military
establishment, Chairman Byrd reports
that employment BY the civilian agen-
ctes Of the Government increased dur
ing the month of April by 1904. Fur
ther, as the congressional appropriation
committees listen to the demands for
appropriations for the next fiscal year,
made by the various agencies Of the
Government there is continued stress
On the need for larger and larger num-
bers of employees.
It is obvious that more civilian en-
ployes are needed to meet the defence
mobilization program. That, however,
does not lessen the impact on the pc-
liticar situation Of these great additions
to the Federal payroll.