tively, the same as of the Chairman and members of the Railroad Retirement Board. The Board has an excellent record of performance in the administration of the two systems, and we feel very strongly that, considering the importance and size of the systems the Board administers, the failure to include the Board in section 203 (c) is unwarranted. The Congress has always regarded the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems, and their administration, as of particular and primary concern to the employers and employees in the railroad industry and has always attached great weight to any recommendation upon which representatives of the employers and employees have been in agreement. We have an especially notable record of having been in agreement virtually at all times for more than 25 years on matters pertaining to the administration of the two systems. As representatives of those who, in effect, pay the salaries of the three members of the Board, we respectfully request that section 203 (c) of H.R. 8716 be amended by adding at the end thereof, after line 14 on page 35, the following: "(47) Chairman of the Railroad Retirement Board. "(48) Members of the Railroad Retirement Board, other than Chairman, except that the annual rate of basic compensation of such members shall be $33,000." We shall appreciate it if you will see that our proposed amendment and the reasons therefor are made available to and given consideration by the committee. Sincerely yours, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS, By GREGORY S. PRINCE, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Hon. Toм MURRAY, ASSOCIATION OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION PRACTITIONERS, Washington, D.C., October 16, 1963. Chairman, Post Office and Civil Service Committee, DEAR CHAIRMAN MURRAY: On behalf of the executive committee of the Association of Interstate Commerce Commission Practitioners, we desire to lend our support to the efforts you are making to improve the salaries of regulatory Commissioners. The association is a nonprofit bar association of about 4,000 members devoted to promoting the proper administration of the Interstate Commerce Act and related acts, and to uphold the honor of practice before the Commission. Our executive committee includes not only top executives of surface transportation, but in addition our membership is representative of responsible officials both of the regulated modes of surface transportation and also of the Nation's shippers-comprising all types and sizes of industrial and commercial concerns― State regulatory agencies, educators, and all others who deal directly with the commission in connection with the regulation of rail, motor, water, and freight forwarder transportation. We have been following with interest the activities of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee with respect to proposed salary adjustments for Federal legislators, executives, and the judiciary. We note also that your committee issued a committee print of the report of the Advisory Panel on Federal Salary Systems, containing the views of the Panel appointed by the President to consider the relationship of those salaries to others. We subscribe entirely to the finding in the report that: "There stands out in boldest relief the need for excellence in all three branches of our Government. That excellence will neither be obtained quickly, nor will it be retained for adequate periods, until we compensate our top officers on a basis commensurate with the complex and difficult roles assigned to them." We also agree with the finding in the Panel report: "The Federal Government will always be able to command the services of persons who recognize their obligation to give of their time and talents to the Nation. It should not, however, be at a competitive disadvantage with other forms of public service in attracting the best talent. We are convinced that our top salary structure no longer provides positive encouragement to men and women of the highest ability, dedication, and conviction about the American way of life to accept Federal appointment in either the executive branch or the judiciary, or to seek Federal elective office with assurance that the financial demands upon them can, in most instances, be met from their salaries." We are especially cognizant of the inadequacy of the salaries paid to Commissioners of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Interstate Commerce Commission is faced with the largest and most complex workload in its history. The current salary levels, which provide $20,500 for Chairman, and $20,000 for members of the Commission, are totally inadequate to secure and retain the level of excellence required of Commissioners of a body as important as the Interstate Commerce Comission. By comparison, we note in the report that salaries and allowances pay to 902 State and local government officials, including governors, mayors and city managers, administrative and professional personel, public corporation personnel and judges, range from $25,000 per annum to $60,000 per annum; that 511 principal administrative officers of colleges and universities are paid $20,000 or more per annum, and 157 of these, including 81 college presidents, are paid in excess of $25,000 per annum : that the annual salaries of the presidents of the 12 Federal reserve banks range from $32,500 to $70,000; and that the 1961 median salary for the top executive in 1,157 selected corporations ranges from $53,000 to $91,000 per annum. We agree with the statement in the report that Cabinet officers and numerous other Federal officers have duties and responsibilities equal to or greater than any to be found in private enterprise. Accordingly, we support the recommendations in the report that the chairmen of regulatory commissions be compensated at the salary of $40,000 per annum and that regulatory commission members be compensated at the rate of $35,000 per annum. On behalf of the Association of Interstate Commerce Commission Practitioners, we urge your committee to approve legislation providing these levels of compensation for the chairmen and members of the regulatory agencies. We are aware of a number of articles in the newspapers reflecting the views of assistants to the President indicating how difficult it is to secure the proper talents for important positions in the Government, including those for regulatory agencies, at current salary levels. Transportation is the largest industry in the United States and the Interstate Commerce Commission is the regulatory agency which handles the largest part of the transportation regulation in the country. We are aware of the devotion to public service by the current Interstate Commerce Commissioners, but we are satisfied that it is asking too much of even the most devoted officer, to live on a salary which is far from compensatory for the responsibility of the position. We recognize that the opportunity to serve and the prestige which accompanies the office is worth a great deal, and it is only for this reason that we do not recommend a salary higher than that recommended in the report. We are interested in attracting and retaining in office the most competent Commissioners available, without undue sacrifice, and for this reason we press for a more appropriate salary. We are sure you are also aware that a number of subordinate personnel in regulatory agencies now receive a salary equal to the members of the regulatory agencies. Although we agree that the salaries of the top officials below the Commission level should also be raised, we believe that it is especially important to make a substantial increase in the salary for Commissioners. If you have any questions about the association, or any point in this letter. we will be glad to clarify it or, if you desire, to testify. Sincerely yours, W. M. MILLER, President. THE ASSOCIATION OF THE CUSTOMS BAR, Hon. Toм MURRAY, Chairman, Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, MY DEAR MR. MURRAY: The Association of the Customs Bar wishes to go on record as favoring early passage of H.R. 8716 and H.R. 8717 particularly as it relates to increased salaries for judges of the U.S. Customs Court. It is common knowledge that the present level of salaries for such judges is considerably below that of judges of the State and city courts sitting in New York City, where the U.S. Customs Court is located. In addition, the expenses of living in or around this metropolitan area is an added burden which must be recognized. Respectfully, JOHN D. RODE, President. OCTOBER 16, 1963. Hon. Toм MURRAY, Chairman, Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE MURRAY: The Bankruptcy Study Group, an organization having a membership of 188 persons, composed of attorneys engaged in the practice of insolvency matters and also of technical personnel engaged in bankruptcy administration, has unanimously passed its resolution urging that the increase in salary for referees in bankruptcy as incorporated in H.R. 8717, be enacted into law. Those of us who practice regularly in the bankruptcy field recognize the utmost importance in maintaining the high caliber of our referees. If we are to keep our outstanding referees, we believe that the salary increase proposed in the above bill is necessary. The undersigned, as chairman of the Bankruptcy Study Group, and as an attorney practicing for many years in the bankruptcy field, would be pleased to come to Washington to testify before your committee in support of this most needed and worthwhile legislation. If my testimony and presence would be of any assistance to you, would you please advise. Very truly yours, IRVING SULMEYER, Chairman, Bankruptcy Study Group. Hon. Toм MURRAY, THE FEDERAL TRIAL EXAMINERS CONFERENCE, Chairman, House Post Office and Civil Service Committee, MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Federal Trial Examiners Conference, organized to further the efficient administration of acts of Congress under which hearing examiners function, firmly believes the public interest demands that legislators, judges, officials of our executive departments, and their staffs, receive compensation on a level sufficiently high to retain and to attract men of the highest ability, and to maintain their independence. The Federal Trade Examiners Conference, therefore, by unanimous action of its executive committee unequivocally endorses H.R. 8716, and its objectives, and urges its enactment at this session of Congress. We most earnestly advocate on behalf of our members who reside throughout the United States that Congress, in the public interest, raise the compensation of its own Members. It is requested that this letter be made part of the hearings on the cited bill and subject to your discretion be placed in the Congressional Record. Respectively submitted, with esteem and best regards, L. M. PELLERZI, President. The CHAIRMAN. Further action on this legislation will be announced later, subject to the wishes of the committee. The committee stands adjourned. (Whereupon, at 12 noon, the committee was adjourned.) |