Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-24
Eisenhower Opposes
Federal Pay Increase
Sends Letter
ToCongress
VoicingStond
BY JOSEPH YOUNG

President Eisenhower has sent
a letter to Congress expressing
his objections to any pay raise
for Government classified and
postal workers this year, it was
disclosed today.
Mr.. Eisenhower sent the letter
to Chairman Murray of the
House Civil Service Committee.
who had written the President
asking for his views.
/ Through the Budget Bureau.
the administration previously
had opposed Federal pay in
creases, but Mr.. Eisenhower's
letter was the first time that he
had taken a hand in the mat
ter personally.
The Presidents letter raised
the question whether he would
veto pay raise legislation III Ine
event that it is approved by
Congress.
7 Mr.. Eisenhower said that pay
raises would seriously impede"
the administrations drive to
reduce Federal expenditures
Sharply and eventually reduce
taxes.
Secretary of the Treasury
Humphrey testified before the
committee today and said that
Federal pay raises now would
not only destroy the chance for
a balanced budget. but would be
infationary and a step toward
higher cost of living for every
one.
Text of Presidents Letter
The text of President Eisen-
howers letter to Chairman MUIR
ray follows:
"You June 7 letter has
reached me IN the midst Of
strenuous legislative and execu-
tive efforts to create budgetary
position that will allow not only
additional payments on the pub
lie debt but also. with continue
ing progress along this line. an
eventual tax reduction for every
one.
The success of this effort re-
! quires a continued healthy
, growth of the Nations economy,
as well as developments permit
ting a sharp reduction of Fed
eral expenditures General pay
increases at this time would Sc
, riously impede our progress
toward these goals.
Recent actions of the Con-
gress and the executive branch
have demonstrated the Govern
!, ment's continuing concern for
proper and just compensation for
its workers and have benefited
those workers in number Of
ways. These include loW-cost
group life insurance. more liberal
retirement and suryIvorship pro-
visions. uniform allowances and
unemployment compensation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS legis-
lation is now pending to eStab-
lish voluntary health and med
, lcal insurance program and to
, authorize the training of Gov
, eminent employees outside as well
, as within the employing agencies.
As all Of us know, the present
I difficulty in Harvesting the Fed
: eral budget is attributable in
, part to increased personnel costs.
: incidentally. it was only two
/ years ago that general pay in
, creases we're approved,
Can't Back legislation
In view of the tax. Judiciary
. and economic implications. and
III view OF my several appeals
this year to private citizens to
observe restraint in everything
that could add to the inflationary
presSures on our economy, l can
; not at this time. in keeping with
!. the national interest. recommend
!. enactment of legislation for pay
increases for postal workers
I which. as YOU point out, would
: Lead to pay increase through
, out the Federal Government.
. The presidents reference to
: postal workers was made because
the House committee is cur
D rently on that phase Of Federal
! pay legislation The Presidents
9 letter made It clear. however,
that he IS equally opposed to
pay raises for classified employees.