Evening star., 1951-10-15

Is WOrQeQ QlIleT&nLiy lOI ucdAAy
every appropriations bill, SO that
what applies to one agency
doesn't necessarily apply to an
other.
Another difficulty is that some
agencies are allowed to disregard
the one-out-of-f -four vacancy fill
ing ban once they achieve 10
per cent reduction below original
budget requests. while others can
disregard it only when they
achieve a 10 per cent cut under
their employment as OF last July l
Agencies are still uncertain as to
when to resort tc dismissals to
achieve the necessary personnel
cuts and when the vacancy filling
ban must be used. All in all. the
rider is a severe headache to all
concerned.
COMMENCES -STATE-JUSTICE
The State, Commerce and JUS
tice Departments. which previ-
ously were exempted from the
Jensen rider. have now beer
brought under its provisions BY
Congress.
However, in the case OF these
three departments, Congress has
been more specific in telling them
how the rider should operate. It
specified that once the depart
ments achieve a 10 per cent per
sonnel cut below original budget
estimates, the rider would no
longer apply. Members OF Con-
gress say that the rider will not
adversely affect the departments
too much, since the units involved
already have taken a 10 per cent
personnel cut below budget esti-
mates. Specifically exempted from
the Jensen rider are the FB1. the
Civil Aeronautics Board, the JUS
tice Department, with the excep-
Ition of its administrative person.
mel. operational employees OF the
Weather Bureau. Coast and Geo.
detic Survey. Public Roads. the
Patent ONCE. presidential ap-
pointees, judicial branch. and
workers in CPC and 2.
Incidentally Congress in the
case of Justice. Commerce and
State plugged the loophole where
by vacancies could be filled
through transfers from other
agencies. The Civil Service Com
mission announced last week that
lit was taking steps to prevent
other non-defense agencies from
taking advantage of this loop
hole contained in other money
bills. The Defense Department
has complained that such a pro-
vision would result in raids on its
employees by non-defense agencies
INFORMATION OFFICES -
The information Offices Of State
Commerce and Justice have es.
capped the Is per cent cuts in it.
information division personne
originally voted by the Senate
In House-Senate conference the
provision was eliminated. After
a sharp fight, the Senate agreed
to the elimination of the rider BY
a vote Of 81 to 27.
4 + 4
PAY-This is the week wher
Congress can be expected to take
final action On Federal pay raise
legislation.
HouSe-Senate conferees meet
on the pay bills tomorrow ano
quick agreement is expected. With
Congress striving for adjourn
ment by the end of this week il
possible, the pay raise conferees
are determined to put on a final
burst of speed.
Both Chairmen Johnston and
Murray of the House and Senate
Civil Service Committees reas-
sured Government employees that
a pay raise will be voted for them
by the time Congress adjourns.
+ + 4
GREAT HONOR-Congress has
paid an impressive honor to two
Federal officials. In approving the
State Commerce Justice 1852
money bills. Congress raised the
salaries of Francis Cawley, budg-
ct director Of Commerce, and Ed
ward B. WILDER. budget director of
State. to $4,000 a year.
In voting the raises. Congress
specified that the new salary shall
apply to these jobs only as long as
Mr.. Cawley and Mr.. WILDER are in
office. This is a rarity in legisla-
tion. but deserved one. Both men
have done excellent jobs and Con-
|gress has recognized this by sin
Cling them out for special pay
boosts.