Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-05-02

Senator Magnuson, Democ
the Senate appropriations unit
Ofnces Bill, was caustically
critical when he subjected Civil
Service Commission officials 10
extensive questioning regard
ling the failure TO ask Congress
for adequate funds to finance
the retirement system.
Senator Magnuson pointed
out that. even with Federal en-
ployes' 6Ia per cent salary con-
trihution and the Governments
matching share. the retirement
deficit continues TO grow by $3.50
million a year. The financial
stability Of the fund and future
retirement benefits for Federal
employees is involved, 1t was de-
cleared.
The House, this year, already
has appropriated the $3.50 mil
lion TO keep the deficit from
growing, and Senator Magnu-
son made It quite clear that the
Senate viii do the same.
Senator Magnuson's criticism
centered on the fact that the
administration failed to take
the initiative in asking for
these, added funds and left 1t
up to Congress. 1t is imperative
that additional funds be voted
for the retirement system each
year in order to protect the sys-
TEN against financial disaster
in the future, the Senator
declared.
The House action this year
and Senator Magnuson's state
ment make 1t quite clear that
Congress from now on, regard
less Of what the executive
branch recommends. can be
expected to vote additional
funds each year to prevent the
retirement deficit from growing.
PAY MEETING SEEN NEXT
WEEK - House-Senate con-
ferees on the postal pay-rate
bill are expected to resume
their meetings next Tuesday.
The conference was terminated
in a huff last Wednesday when
the conferees were deadlocked
on the postal policy statement.
But tempers seem to have
cooled off and a resumption Of
the sessions next week is con-
sidered certain. There also is
new optimism that a satisfac-
tory compromise on the policy
statement can be reached.
The conferees already have
agreed on a 10 per cent postal
pay raise, but they have to
complete action the rate ss-
poets Of the legislation before
it can be brought up for final
House and Senate approval.
Meanwhile, classified employee
leaders are meeting with no
success in an effort to have
Congress approve classified pay
raises ahead of the postal pay
rate bill. Congressional leaders
are unanimous in assuring
classified employees that they
will be taken care of in the way
Of pay raises this year, but
classified pay increases must
first await clearance of the
postal. pay and rate measure.
- *
STILL OPTIMISTIC - Incl
dentally, there is virtually 100
per cent optimism among Fed
eral pay-raise supporters in
Congress, as well as Govern
ment employee leaders, that
postal and classified employe
pay raises will be enacted into
law this year.
The recent delays and set
backs have naturally been dis
turbing to most Federal work.
ers. But the key members Of
Congress, as well as Govern
ment. employe leaders close to
the scene, are convinced that
Federal pay raises will become
flaw this year.
+
CAPITAL ROUNDUP - The
14th annual conference Of the
American Society of Training
Directors will be held next
Monday through Friday at the
Sheraton-Park Hotel. Rep
resentatives of the California
State Personnel Board are in
town to offer job opportunities
to experienced social workers
as we'll as recent graduates Of
schools of social work. Those
H.