Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30

TO permit many additional thou
Collar workers to file claims for
Introduction Of the bill aw
on the Court of Claims decision
TO about 10000 per diem workers
decision to the Supreme Court,
The high tribunal agreed to re-
view the case.
1t has been estimated that
200, 900 to 300, 900 per diem work.
ers who were employed on hol-
days during World War II would
be eligible for such benefits,
However. because many of them
were not aware that such a test
case originally mao been brought
in court only 10000 claims were
filed witt. the General Account
ing Office.
When the U. S. Court of Claims
ruled in favor of an extra days
pay for each holiday worked
during the war, many additional
thousands Of per diem workers
sought to file claims. But they
were prevented from doing so. by
the l0-year statute of limita-
tons.
Now, however. AFL-CIO lead
ers, who originally brought the
test case in court, have enlisted
the support Of top members of
Congress to sponsor legislation
to waive the 10-year statute of
limitation so that these other
employees can also file claims.
The legislators said they would
esponsor the measure If the Su-
preme Court upholds the lower
courts ruling. Otherwise the
legislation would be meaningless
since no per diem worker would
receive back pay.
Federal employe leaders ex-
press confidence that the Su-
preme Courts ruling will be ia
vorable.
PRESIDENTS SUPPORT
President Eisenhower has i'm
piled the administrations strong
support to modify veterans pref
erence in Government reduction
in-force programs as well as in
their appeals rights.
This has greatly encouraged
such groups as the Citizens Com
mittee for the Hoover Report
and the National Civil Service
League.
AS this column reported last
Friday, these groups are seeking
to have Congress modify vet
Grams preference. particularly in
RIFFS SO that longtime non-vet-
eran careerists would have
greater job retention rights.
In a letter to Civil Service
Commission Chairman Philip
Young regarding the Hoover
Commission recommendations
President Eisenhower declared
In dealing with personnel
procedures. such as performance
ratings. appeals and reductions
the recommendations OF
the Hoover Commission contem-
plate certain notifications OF
rights granted TO veterans In
public employment.
I'm making recommendations
to the Congress, the Executive
Branch should consider these
proposals carefully so as to make
certain that proposed changes
are equitable and Just both to
veterans and nonveterans in the
public service.
THE relatively minor changes
in veterans rights that are rec
commended should be weighed
against the very large opportun-
tiles for improved administration
inherent in the recommended
tons of the Commission.
Il request that you complete
your analysis of these proposals
as promptly as possible so that
they can receive early atten-
ton"
Whether the veterans organi-
cations will regard the proposed
changes as minor" remains to
be seen. The veterans groups
have strongly opposed any
changes in veterans preference.
But the implied support of Pres
ident Eisenhower-with his gseat
military background - is the
greatest encouragement tn a t
merit groups have had in long
time as far as modification Of
veterans preference is con-
cerned.
POST OFFICE-A House Civil
Service subcommittee headed by
Representative Dowdy. Democrat
of Texas, reports that the Post
ONCE Departments administra-
tive staff has increased the num-
Der of its top jobs by more than
200 per cent since 1882
The subcommittee said the
number Of grade 10 to 10 jobs
$4,000 to $14,800 year, has
increased from 1923 to 1922.
In addition, the subcommittee
said the number of administra-
tive jobs has increased from
4,246 to 5.692 during the past
two years.
RETIREMENT - Representa-
tive Rhodes. Democrat of Penn
sylvania, a member of the House
Civil Service Committee. has in
PRODUCED a companion bill to the
omnibus civil service retirement
Hlaro limo t;1,, MAO c,ira cnopc0rad