Evening star., 1951-06-06

favor AN 8,4 per cent average
Federal pay increase. the employees
in the lower salaried brackets
should receive somewhat more
than that figure. while those in
the upper brackets should get
somewhat less.
These Senators contend that,
since this is cost-of- living raise,
lower r-salaried employees deserve
the major percentage share, since
otherwise the upper bracket en-
ployes will actually receive a
greater pay boost in dollars and
cents.
One Senator. who asked that
his name not be used. declared:
THE argument is being made
to US that per-salaried en-
ployes are just as hard hit by riS-
ing living costs as lower -salaried
workers. But this isn't true. Sure,
higher living costs make it more
difficult for $4,000 or $4,000
year man to buy his wife new
fur coat or take his family to Ber-
muda for a vacation. But the high
cost of living is a matter of bread
and butter and daily sustenance
for the employe making $4,000
or $4,000 a year. Therefore, it
only makes good sense to give
more of a pay increase. to the
er-salaried workers"
Members of the two subcom-
mittees are sharply divided on
whether lower -salaried employees
should get a greater percentage
increase than their higher-sal-
aried colleagues, and this Is one
Of the reasons holding up agree
ment.
Senator Pastore, Democrat, of
Rhode Island. chairman of the
classified pay subcommittee and
sponsor Of the 8.4 per cent aver
age pay formula, does not favor
giving a larger percentage boost
to lower-paid employees, contend
ing this would upset the Classifi-
cation Act salary structure. Sew
eral of his colleagues on the full
committee feel just as strongly
about giving the little fellow in
Government the larger percentage
boost.
The postal pay subcommittee
headed by Senator Underwood,
Democrat, of Kentucky, in addi-
ton to approving a pay boost for
postal workers, also is expected
to recommend the elimination of
the first four postal entrance SAL
airy rates to insure a minimum
wage of $500 a year.
X II i y
STREAMLINED - Chairman
Johnston has announced his Civil
Service Committee is drafting
legislation to streamline the Gov
ernment's hearing and appeal
procedures in cases of employees
contesting their removals and
demotions in Government.
The committees action was
prompted by the disclosure that
the Government recently spent
$500,000 in an effort to fire an
employe. Senator, Johnston said
his group does not want to de-
prive employees of their legal
appeal rights, but that a way can
be worked out to preserve records
and transcripts of cases for fur
ther appeals so that rehearings
won't be necessary and valuable
time consumed. Senator Johnston
said a modernized appeals system
would benefit both the Govern
ment and employees.
II II Il
MAJOR CHANGE - A major
in the top command of the
Civil Service Commission Is the
of Fordyce w. Lui-
kart as chief of the commissions
and placement division.
Mr.. Luikart succeeds w. Arthur
Mccoy who is retiring next month.
The appointment is further evil
dence of the commissions drive,
under Chairman Robert Rams
peck, to modernize it's operations
by the appointment of younger Of
f1cials with excellent records. Mr..
Luikart has an excellent record
as the commissions trouble
shooter, having served as chief of
its investigating and organization
staffs. as well as having recently
served as vice chairman of the
Federal Personnel Council.
X X X X
JOBS-The Civil Service Com
mission has announced exams for
photographers, microphotograph-
ers, photo-reproduction trainees