Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-10
Davis Warns
U. Agenciest 10
Cut Personnel
House Prober Hits
erection of Jobs
At Executive Level

Representative Davis, Demo-
crat OF Georgia, warned today
that unless Government agen-
cies cooperate in trying to cut
down manpower figures through
attrition, appropriation cuts
and firing will have to be made
II any reductions are realized"
His warning came at the open.
ing of hearings by the House
Subcommittee on Manpowe1
Utilization and Departmental
Personnel Management. The
subcommittee has said before
that manpower can be cut some
10 per cent by not filing posi-
lions that are vacated. Mr.. Davis
the subcommittee chairman, said
results of plans to better utilize
manpower and cut costs of Gov
eminent show I'VE are not get
ting the top level help from the
Executive branch that we
should"
He said that while cuts have
been made in some agencies,
they have been used up as fast
as they are made" by additions
In others.
Creation Of Jobs Hit
He hit again on the trend
toward creation of more and
more executive level positions,
and OF the competition for scien-
lists and technicians from pri-
vate industry with money from
Federal cost-plus contracts.
Mr.. Davis said 1000 new ex-
ecutive level positions were Gre
ated last year. an increase of
1917 per cent. with no signs of
a slsckening of the trend.
He said that about 81 GS-13
through GS-l5 jobs were Gre
ated for every supergrade posi-
ton established last year.
meaning a cost TO the taxpayer
of around 100000 for each such
position, counting secretarial
help. etc.
Amazing" Situation
He told OF one amazing re-
organization" in a Government
department which nearly dou-
bled the supervisory salary cost,
but carried out the same func-
tons.
The department. ne said. had
a supply directorate headed by
q GS-13. with eight divisions
headed BIZ six GS-11s, a GS-9
and a GS-7.
"Then came the reorganiza-
ton for the purpose of, and
quote, To increase efficiency,
effectiveness and capacity for
additional workload.'
There were no new functions,
no personnel were added and the
same men as before headed the
reorganization. But the differ
ence was tremendous.
"In place of one GS-l3. they
now have a GS-14 with three
GS-l3 assistants. Instead of
eight divisions there are IL plus
an administrative Office. There
are seven GS-11s instead of six;
plus two GS-12s along with two
GS-9s and a GS-7,
Salary Here Rises
an summary. instead of seven
In Grades GS-ll and above,
there are now eleven. Supervi-
sorry salaries were about $50. 900
a year. Now they are around
100000 All Of this took place
In the name of efficiency" he
said.
Mr.. Davis said one of the
reasons for expansion in execu-
tive positions is the problem
of holding competent personnel.
But he charged that the normal
turnover rate has been aggra-
waited by the demand for scien-
fists and engineers. demand
that many feel to be all out Of
reason"
He said tax money is being
used to raise salaries both in
Government and in industry to
meet the competition each gen.
crates in what he termed a
"robbing Peter TO save Paul" type
Of situation.
He slapped at Defense Secre-
tary Wilson on this point. Mr.
Davis said he asked the Secretary
TO help obtain the cooperation
of private industry in making a
study Of the situation. He got a
reply calling his attention to the
efforts Of several committees, he
said
THE Secretary Of Defense
cannot delegate his management
responsibilities to outside COM
mittees." Mr. Davis said.