Speech #840159600

NO. He loses it during the time he is holding this position for 6 months or 6 years. when the job is over. then his retired pay starts again. Let me say that we had the Commissioner of Immigration before us and we asked him. "How come you cannot go out and employ civilservice people?" He said. "There are two men in my office who are qualified to do this work. but these men will not take this position because they will lose their civilservice status." That is the reason we are forced to do this. With the understanding that the appointment of the Generals Partridge and Howard would not cost the Government more than $2.900 per annum in salary. this House passed out this legislation. It is regrettable that the appointment of these two distinguished gentlemen Generals Partridge and Howard should again become the subject of Congressional debatebut their initial appointment in a civilian governmental department headed by a general followed by this proposal for salary increase constitutes a breach of faith. I stated on March 21 that the inability of General Swing to find suitable civilian personnel to fill the high offices of Assistant Commissioners of Immigration appears a little like cronyism at its very worst. My opinion of March 21 has been confirmed by the provisions in this bill which grants the generals a pay increase. The appointment of retired military officials to high offices in the civilian administration of the Government has the effect of discouraging qualified civilian officers from remaining with Government service. If these devoted servants of the Government must serve throughout the years only to have the top positions filled by others. the effect on morale in the Civil Service is depressing. The Immigration Service cannot afford to become a sanctuary for retired generals with special dispensations granted by the authority of Congress. It is the solemn obligation of this Congress through its established committees to further inquire and investigate the obvious futility of General Swings effort to obtain adequate civilian personnel to fill these important posts. It is indeed strange that a general in charge of a civil function of Government is unable to find anyone else but another general to fill an important office of confidence and trust.