Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-26
House Margin
On Military Pay
Spurs Senate
BY ROBERT X. WALSH
Star stan Writer

star stan Writer
The 366-22 House vote for .
1858 million pay increase for
the armed services gave the
Senate q strong incentive today
to accept the measure without
major change.
House approval Of the bill
came BY a surprisingly large
margin late yesterday after un-
expectedly mild debate. Floor
discussion indicated general re-
luctance to oppose any reason
liable method Of maintaining
military personnel at q high
standard Of skill and morale.
Chairman Russell Of the Sen
ate Armed Services Committee
predicted enactment Of q mill
tary pay bill at this session Of
Congress.
Hearings to Start
Meanwhile, a subcommittee
headed by Senator Stennis,
Democrat Of Mississippi, in
vited Assistant Secretary of
Defense Robert D. Francis and
Gen. Nathan F. Twining. chair
man of the Joint Chiefs of
STAFF. to testify today. Sem
ator Stennis said his subcom-
mittee will study not only the
House bill but several other
proposed plans. He did not
estimate how long the hearings
might continue.
The House bill sets up sepa-
rate basic scales for officers and
men who have served at least
two years. An Army corporal
and a Navy Petty Officer &c,
for example. would receive $160
instead Of $14O as monthly
basic pay. A second lieutenant
or ensign. after two years,
would get $251 instead Of $237.
Higher in Upper Ranks
Increases in the higher ranks
would be substantially greater.
The pay of a colonel or Navy
captain would go up from STAG
to 1920. Increases for a major
general or rear admiral would
be from $1,076 to $1,375. and
those for a general or admiral
from $1.276 to $1,875.
This range caused some
House members to question
whether the scale was equitable
at all points. Representative
Heating. Republican of New
York. said somewhat higher
pay raises for officers below
colonel and Navy captain might
prevent the comparatively large
number of designations in the
middle rank brackets.
In addition to the basic pay
raises, there would be a sys-
tenn of incentive payments up
to $3.50 a month in many cases
for enlisted men who develop
special skills. The House bill
also gives a cost-of.living raise
to retired servicemen.
Warning Sounded
Even the bills main advocates
In the House warned against
expecting too much from the
pay boost plan, either in future
budget economies or present
enlistments. Several members,
while agreeing with the bills
aim to attract, retain and i'm
prove capable officers and en-
listed men, suggested that Con-
gress seek money savings in
another way. They urged that
some of the fat be cut out of
the Pentagon" by recognizing
the Defense Department.
Few speakers in the House
debate contended that this
measure would result event.
ually in substantial savings of
money. In this they seemed
to take issue with claims of
supporters Of the Cordiner re-
port that large economies would
develop from greater efficiency
as a result of higher pay for
most officers and enlisted men.
Differs From Proposal
The bill. as reported out by
the House Armed Services
Committee and approved with
out amendment by the House.
differs considerably from rec
concentrations of the study
group neaQeo py Halpn j. Cord
liner, president of the General
Electric Co. Representative
Kilday, Texas Democrat in
charge Of the bill on the House
floor, emphasized that the pay
raises for career members Of the
armed services were intended
mainly to save trained serv-
icemen" rather than to save
money.
Only six Democrats and Is
Republicans voted against the
bill. despite earlier indications
that some members would
press for more study by the
committee or for several
amendments. Representative
Tuck. Democrat Of Virginia,
was in the opposition on the
final roll call.