Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-09

w age not joseph founs'
merely a wage which keeps the
employee on marginal basis year
in and year out. Unless and un-
til the administration gets
squarely behind specific legisla-
ton to increase Federal salaries.
any statement about strengthen
ing the civil service merit system
is nothing more than just an
other meaningless promise.
Employees are justified in their
insistence that any program de-
signed to improve Federal en-
ployment can neither straddle
nor duck the issue Of adequate
wages.
1.-THE salary bills now before
Congress affecting postal and
classification act employees
should commend themselves to
every member Of Congress who
believes in good government and
fair treatment of its employees.
Federal workers are not asking
for charity or handout. They
are insisting, however. for a fair
days wage for fair days work. |"
Meeting in Miami for its an
nual session. the Executive
Council pledged the support OF
a Government pay raise. The
council declared that half OF
Government employees earn so
little that they seek outside jobs
to supplement their salaries.
Also. 40 per cent Of the wives Of
Federal workers are forced to
look for work as a means OF
bolstering their husbands earn
ings. the council declared.
The council Endorsed pending
legislation in Congress that
would provide an $500 pay boost
for classified and postal workers.
There are reports that the adj
ministration is drafting recon-
mendations to Congress which
would put the primary emphasis
on Redistribution of the Fed
eral pay structure. where any
pay boost would be incidental.
It's reported that Postmaster
General Summerfield would pro-
pose a Redistribution of postal
salaries that in many cases
would not provide any pay raises
for postal workers. AS for CLASH
fed employees, the administra-
tons current thinking Is in
favor Of reclassification that
would result in only a minor pay
boost Of several hundred dollars
at the most for Federal workers.
The Government employee
unions which are members of
the parent AFL organization are
hoping that the executive coun-
ellis blast will cause the admin
istration to liberaliZe its pro-
posals to Congress on pay legis-
lation when the House Civil
Service Committee begins salary
hearings next Tuesday.
RUMOR-One of the most in
triguing reports around town is
that Chairman Philip Young of
the Civil Service Commission is
in line for promotion to another
top Government job.
The rumor is that President
Eisenhower has selected Mr..
Young for a key position in the
administration that would be
more important than his present
assignment. When the report
first cropped up several weeks
ago. Mr.. Young said it was news
to him. that he knew nothing
about any such move.
NJ -
NEONNAh AON UNI 81 NE
House Appropriations Committee
is taking another close look at
the Governments information
units.
A confidential report compiled
by a private research organiza-
ton has been submitted to Chair
man Taber and committee mem
bers analyzing the various agen-
cies' information units.
The private report rated the
Federal Trade Commissions in
formation unit the best of all in
supplying the public with essen
tial news. Others cited as doing
an excellent information job
were the Labor, Agriculture and
Air Force Departments, the FBI
and the Marine Corps. A num-