Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-20
U.S.Pay Raise
Ban Assai|ed
By Neuberger
Subcommittee Head
Coils White House
Stund Inconsistent
BY JOSEPH YOUNG

The chairman Of the Senate
subcommittee on Federal pay to-
day charged the administration
is inconsistent in opposing pay
raises for Government employees
Senator Neuberger, Democrat
Of Oregon, asserted that prices
and wages are continuing to
climb throughout the country
with the result that Federal
workers are finding it increas-
ingly difficult to meet rising liv-
ing costs.
Senator Neuberger made the
statements in challenging ad-
ministration opposition to Fed
eral pay raises as a Senate Civil
Service subcommittee started
hearings on such legislation.
There is no control over the
wages in private industry" Sem
ator Neuberger said. "As a result
there have been substantial pay
and price increases which affect
the prices that Federal employees
pay for their food. rents and all
other expenses"
Calls Situation Disgraceful
The Senator then asked adj
ministration spokesman. How
can you expect us not to increase
Federal employe wages? I don't
see how the situation can be
permitted to continue. It's a dis
grace"
Unless the Government can
control outside prices and wages,
Congress will have to adjust the
pay Of Federal workers. Senator
Neuberger added
I'VE cannot take it out on the
hides of Federal workers." he
remarked.
Harris Ellsworth. chairman Of
the Civil Service Commission,
and Robert E. Merriam. assistant
Budget Bureau director. restated
the Administrators opposition
to Federal classified and postal
employe pay increases on the
grounds that such boosts would
set inflationary pay patterns
throughout industry. Mr.. Ellis
worth also said that a thorough
study of the Federal pay system
is necessary before pay raises
should be considered.
In urging delay of Federal pay
raises. Mr.. Ellsworth commented,
IN doing this I have to leave
out Of my mind what I know to
be the employees needs"
Senator Morton, Republican Of
Kentucky. member Of the sub
committee. joined his colleagues
in reading letters from Federal
employee constituents detailing
how rising living costs have
crippled their purchasing power.
Fears New Complexities
The csc chairman said pay
raises for classified employees
would create further complexi-
ties in an already distorted Fed
eral pay structure.
Senator JavitS, Republican OF
New York. and Representative
Landlord. Democrat of Mary
land. appeared as witnesses and
urged enactment Of Federal
pay raise legislation.
Both read letters from Federal
employe constituents detailing
the difficult time that the en-
ployes had making ends meet.
The subcommittee was told
that many employees have had to
take outside jobs. The wives OF
some employees also have had to
go to work to meet family living
expenses, the legislators testified
will DO Right Thing
At the start Of today's hearing,
Chairman Johnston Of the full
committee appeared briefly to
pledge that his COMMITTEES would
do what is right and Just for
Federal employees.
The South Carolina Democrat,
who is not a member Of the sub
committee. declared:
Il think we all realize that we
are not paying the amount to
these people that we should. We
want to make sure that they re-
ceive a living wage Senator
Neuberger said the Government
had an obligation to its employees
to increase their wages as long
as 1t could control infiationary
pressures elsewhere.
He added that low Federal
pay would accelerate the de-
parture Of many capable people
from Government, making the
Federal service "a second-rate
nna -