January 6, 1949

Letter to President of the Senate and Speaker of the House

On January 6, 1949, President Truman wrote a letter urging the increase of pay for federal executives. His reasoning was that insufficient pay for those officials made it difficult to obtain and keep able men in those offices.

While salaries in other government offices and in industry rose sharply, no increases were made in federal executive positions for many years. The inability to keep those officials, threatened the efficiency of the government. Extensive evidence on the matter was submitted to a Senate subcommittee and then was available in Congress and the bill included a testimony from former President Hoover. Presented by the subcommittee was the result of more than a year's research. It established a salary range of $17,500 to $25,000 for the officials in question.

Since a new presidential term began in fourteen days, Truman stressed the importance of fast action on the bill. It was important to the strengthening of management in the Executive branch, and obtaining and keeping the men necessary for the job ahead.

American History Truman High School Independence, Mo

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