Evening star., 1951-06-14
Temporary Pay Raise
For Federal Workers
Favored by Murray
Chairman Proposes
One-Yeur $500 Increase
To Employees Under Sc, 900

Chairman Murray, Democrat, of
Tennessee, Of the House Civil
Service Committee came out today
in favor Of a temporary Federal
pay raise Of not more than $500
annually for employees earning up
to $4,000 q year, and nothing
extra for those earning more than
that.
Mr.. Murray's statement came as
the House Civil Service Commit
tee opened hearings on Federal
Ipay-raise legislation.
He urged that any boost apply
for only one year, adding that an
extension should be considered at
the appropriate time.
Calls Growth Alarming.
Mr.. Murray said he was
greatly disturbed by the alarming
rate" of increase in Federal en-
|ployment. The total payroll must
be reduced, he said.
Il want to be extremely fair to
JAIL Federal employees, but at the
same time desire to protect the
interests Of the taxpayers of our
country and make certain they are
also treated fairly" Mr.. Murray
declared. He added that substan-
ltial pay raise might intensity in
flation.
The opening witness was Robert
Ramspeck, chairman of the Civil
Service Commission, who repeated
the administrations plan for a
raise averaging So per cent. He
acknowledged that the cost of liv-
ing had risen more than that since
1949. when the last raise was au-
thorized. He said, however, that
the administrations plan was not
intended as a cost-of-living adjust
ment, but as a device to help the
Government to maintain its posi-
ton as a competitor in the labor
market.
Manpower Order Issued
An order on manpower, point
ing up Mr.. Ramspeck's testimony
was made public today. It di-
Irected all executive departments
land establishments to take steps
to insure full utilization of man
power"
Frederick j. Lawton, director of
the Bureau Of the Budget, Joined
Mr.. Ramspeck, in issuing the di-
rective. following up President Tru-
mans June letter stressing i'm
portance of manpower conserva-
ltion.
The order told executive de-
partments to "use debating ma
chimes, stenographic pool arrange
ments and streamlined correspond
ence methods to reduce the need
for stenographic help"
It added:
Adopt modern methods of
statistical sampling wherever pos
sible as a substitute for 100 per
cent reviews, checks and inspeo-
tions.
Review delegations of author
lty to assure that they permit
operating heads to make decisions
and put into effect improvements
in organization, procedures and
methods that will save manpower
Inform all employees and super
visors Of the objectives of the
agency manpower conservation
program and point out the re-
sponSibility of each employe for
his cooperation with that pro-
tgram.
Match skills and Jobs to
achieve better use Of major skills.
Gear employe relations pro-
grams to provide reasonable en-
ploye incentives and services.
Use stating ratios, stating
guides or other standards where
Applicable to determine the
amount Of staff needed in relation
to work to Ice done or other
Icriteria.' y
On the Senate side in the pay
issue, a Civil Service subcommit-
tee has approved an 81 per
cent average salary increase for
classified and postal workers and
1.-THE full Senate Committee is
scheduled to meet soon to vote on
tits subcommittee's recommends
ltion.