The Oregon state employee., September 01, 1945, Page 21, Image 21

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found to receive 90c and 71c per hour
respectively. This difference is difficult
to explain or justify, and is no doubt
the cause of the continued loss of
trained and essential employees to the
detriment of the State service, its effi­
ciency and economic operation. The
practice of the State in reimbursing
State employees for travel expense was
found to vary between departments,
and even within departments. The re­
port recommended that State wages be
adjusted to a level with those of the
cities, counties and home industry in
Oregon, and that travel expenses be
completely divorced from wages, to the
end that the State be no further in­
jured by loss of additional trained per­
sonnel.
The report was adopted and Mr. For­
rest Stewart, Executive Secretary and
Leo Smith, Legal Counsel ordered to
present the matter to State officials,
the Board of Control, State Commis­
sions and State boards for consideration.
Further discussion disclosed that as
a result of the ending of the war, State
employees who have loyally carried on
during the war at sub-standard wages
and who are only able to meet the in­
creased war time cost of living by
working longer hours, are now faced
with the prospect of a reduction in
working time. The question was raised
if there was not, in some quarters a
concept of the public service as a "re­
lief” service which would be the direct
reverse of the concept of the legisla­
ture in establishing a merit system for
the avowed purpose of securing a public
service composed of competent and ef­
ficient career employees. The attitude
of returning veterans towards the
State sub-standard wage scale is one of
general dissatisfaction and many former
State employees are accepting employ­
ment with cities, counties or industry
at more favorable wage rates. One vet­
eran was reported to have said, "I
didn’t fight this war to come back to
a job paying 71c an hour.”
C om m ittee to S tudy I nsura nce
A committee has been appointed by
President I. A. DeFrance to investigate
the possibilities of the development of
a low-cost Group Life Insurance, Med­
ical, Surgical and Hospital coverage
plan.
The committee was asked to investi­
gate the various plans available, to meet
with representatives of various com­
panies and associations and with the
chapters toward the development of a
plan in which all members and their
families may afford to participate.
The committee is composed of Chair­
man Wm. F. Leary, Insurance Depart­
ment; G. S. Paxson, Highway; Dr.
Leon Lassers, Education; Frank C.
Deckebach, Land Board; J. D. Patter­
son, Agriculture.
CAPITAL CITY TRANSFER
Loren Loose
Local and Long Distance Hauling, Furniture Storage, Crating
and Packing, Best Grade Oil and Briquets
(Agents - BEKINS VAN LINES)
Day Phone 7773
Night Phone 2-1140
226 State Street
Salem, Oregon