Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-31

They say that the commissi
Government the services of key
Iployes who are leaving to take
better-paying jobs in private in
ldustry.
The csc denies it has this au-
lthority to raise salaries and de-
Iclares that legislation by Con-
IgreSs is needed.
Here is the situation. Congress
in 1854 approved law which
authorized the csc to pay the
top maximum step of a grade in
job categories where agencies
had recruitment difficulties due
to unfavorable comparison with
Industry rates. At the same
time, Congress allowed the csc
to raise the salaries of present
employeS in these jobs if the
employees were not in the top
step already.
Top Grades a Problem
The result has been that the
Csc has increased salaries to
the top of the grade in grades S
and 7 for a variety of scientific
and engineering positions. These
are the normal recruitment
grades for these type of jobs and
it has helped agencies recruit
college graduates.
But agency officials say it has
not helped them in the urgent
problem of retaining their key
scientific, professional and en-
cheering personnel in grades 9,
II. IL and Is where most of the
| top experienced employees are.
(There are no grades 8 and 10,
generally, in these positions.)
! The agencies contend that the
csc has the authority from Con-
gress under the same law to pay
the top-of-the-grade salaries to
grades 8. IL and higher. in order
to retain key employees in these
vital jobs.
/ The CSC disagreeS, declaring
that the legislation was meant
only to attract newcomers and
not retain present employees.
Russell M. Stephens, president
of the American Federation OF
Technical Engineers, agrees with
the agencies in taking sharp issue
with the csc.
Experienced Men Leave
| Declaring that while raising
the salaries in grades S and Z has
helped to some extent to attract
scientists, technicians and engin-
GERS. Mr.. Stephens observed
But while newly graduated en-
gineers have been coming in the
front door IN dribbles, expert
enced employees have been going
out the back door in droves." Mr.
Stephens said it was clearly the
intent Of Congress that the csc
should use its authority to retain
essential employees as well as at
tract new ones to the junior posi-
tionS.
/ Mr.. Stephens also called fol-
the csc to support new legisla.
ton that would materially in.
crease the pay Of scientific ano
professional personnel in Gov
eminent. The csc has beer
studying a legislative proposa
whereby 1t would ask Congress
for authority to pay rates above
the maximum Of the grade tt
retain key personnel In these
fields.
The chaotic Federal pay scale
in these jobs can best be illus
trated by the following situation
A newly recruited college eradu.
ate in the engineering field car
be paid $685. a year as a result
of the csc authorizing the ex.
IRENE payment of the top step il
grade Z. Yet an experienced
engineer With years of top serv.
ice may he receiving $5.440 ;
year, only SOS more than tn,
college graduate. as a result o
being in the bottom step o
grade 8.
Agency officials as we'll as Mr.
Stephens say IL is the CSC's mar.
row Interpretation of the iaV
; that has resulted in this situa
ton. The CSC replies that tn,
situation needs TO be corrected
through legislation and that i
doesn't have TIE lower tt
change things.
! SENATE RECORD - Here i
how the Senators from the near
by areas voted on the Ike.
amendments to the Johnston
civil service retirement bill las
week. Senators Beall and But
Ter of Maryland voted agains
tho COMMUNICATION amendment