Evening star., 1955-01-06
P0y Increase Urged
For Federal Workers

In considering human needs.
the Federal Government must
take special responsibility for
citizens in its direct employ. On
January II ! shall propose q
pay adjustment plan for civilian
employees outside the Postal
Field Service to correct in
equities and increase individual
pay rates. and I shall also rec
ommend voluntary health inSur-
ance on a contributory basis for
Federal employees and their de-
pendents. In keeping with the
Group Life Insurance Act passed
| in the $50 Congress. this pro-
lection should be provided on
the group insurance principle
| and purchased from private
facilities. Also on January II I
shall recommend a modern pay
plan, including pay increases.
for postal field employees. As part
of this program. and to carry
forward .our progress toward
elimination Of the large annual
postal deficit. I shall renew my
request for an increase In postal
rates. Again urge that in the
future the fixing OK rates be
delegated to an impartial, iYlde-
pendent body.
! More adequate training pro-
grams to equip career employees
| Of the government to render Inn
proved public service win be
recommended, as viii improve
ments in the laws affecting em-
ployes serving on foreign assign
mentS.
Needed improvements in sur
viyor, disability, and retirement
benefits for Federal civilian and
military personnel have been exc
tensively considered by the Com
mittee on Retirement Policy for
Federal personnel. The commit
tees proposals would strengthen
and improve BENEFITS for our ca
reer people in government. and
indorSe their broad ohjectiyes.
Full contributory coverage under
old-age and survivors insurance
should be made available to all
Federal personnel, just as In
private industry. For career milf
tary personnel. the protection OF
the old-age and survivors insur-
ance system would be ari inn
portant and long-needed addi-
ton, especially to their present
unequal and inadequate sur
worship protection. The mili-
tary retirement pay system
should remain separate and un-
changed. Certain adjustments In
the present civilian personnel
retirement systems will be
needed to reflect the additional
protection Of old-age and sur
vivors' insurance. However.
these systems also are q basic
part of a total compensation and
should be separately and inde-
pendently retained.
/ also urge the Congress to
approve a long overdue increase
In the salaries of members Of
the Congress and of the Federal
judiciary to q level cornmen~
surate with their heavy respon-
sibilities.
Our concern for the individ-
| ual In our country requires that
we consider several additional
problems.
We must continue our pro-
gram to help our Indian citizens
improve their lot and make
their fun contribution TO ma
tional life.
Two years ago I advised the
Congress Of i1justices under
existing immigration a W g.
Through humane admtnistra-
ton. the Department Of Justice
Is doing what 1t legally can to
alleviate hardships. Clearance
OF aliens before arrival has been
initiated and, except for crinni-
nal offenders. the Imprisonment
Of aliens awaiting admission or
deportation has been stopped.
Certain provisions Of law, how
ever, have the effect Of compel
ling action In respect to aliens
which are inequitahle In some
instances and discriminatory In
others These provisions should
be corrected In this session OF
| the Congress.
AS the complex problems Of
Alaska are resolved. that Terri
tory should expect 70 achieve
statehood. In the meantime,
there Is no Justification for
deferring the admission to
statehood Of HAWAII. ! again
urge approval OF this measure.
We have three splendid op-
p0rtunities To demonstrate the
strength Of our belief IN the
right Of suffrage. First. I again
urge that q constitutional
nfaendnaent Be suhmik<ed to the