80TH CONGRESS 2d Session

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SENATE

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REPORT No. 1222

AMENDING THE CIVIL SERVICE ACT TO REMOVE CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION WITH RESPECT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS HAVING ANY PHYSICAL HANDICAP TO POSITIONS IN THE CLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE

APRIL 30, 1948.-Ordered to be printed

Mr. LANGER, from the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, submitted the following,

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 4236'

The Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, having considered the provisions of H. R. 4236, to remove certain discrimination against persons with physical handicaps, recommend that the bill, as amended, do pass.

GENERAL STATEMENT

The bill, H. R. 4236, would amend the Civil Service Act of January 16, 1883, in order to set up safeguards for the protection of handicapped persons in employment in the Federal Government service. H. R. 4236 amends the organic Civil Service Act by adding a sentence at the end of paragraph Second, as follows:

Ninth, that no person shall be discriminated against in any case because of any physical handicap, in examination, appointment, reappointment, reinstatement, reemployment, promotion, transfer, retransfer, demotion, or removal, with respect to any position the duties of which, in the opinion of the Civil Service Commission, may be efficiently performed by a person with such a physical handicap: And provided further, That such employment will not be hazardous to the appointee or endanger the health or safety of his fellow employees or others." In addition, the committee has approved a section 2 to be added to H. R. 4236, which section was contained in S. 459, designed to be the companion bill to H. R. 4236. Section 2 is as follows:

SEC. 2. On and after the date of enactment of this Act, any person with a physical handicap who shall have served at least one year in the postal service and whose separation from the service is involuntary and without prejudice shall acquire, upon passing such suitable noncompetitive examination as the Civil Service Commission shall prescribe, a classified civil-service status.

The committee is of the definite belief that any measure designed to eliminate or minimize discriminations arising solely from the phy

sical condition of any applicant for "examination, appointment, reappointment, reinstatement, reemployment, promotion, transfer, retransfer, demotion, or removal" is in line with American standards and that the example needs first to be set by the Government of all the people.

There is no question that handicapped persons take their places of responsibility in time of national stress and discharge their responsibilities and obligations with great credit, many of them displaying rare skills and talents, which the Government finds extremely scarce during emergencies.

Every effort was made during World War II to hasten the recruitment of such persons in every instance where they could contribute actively toward the war effort, not only in Government but in industry and business. The committee feels no need for dwelling at length upon the virtues of the legislation, which speaks for itself.

A recent study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics piles up further evidence that handicapped employees are good workers when properly placed. The Bureau's figures show that handicapped workers were even slightly superior to their fellow employees on efficiency ratings and on attendance, and that handicapped workers had fewer disabling injuries than nonhandicapped.

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Mr. BRIDGES, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the

following

REPORT

(To accompany H. R. 6226]

The Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6226) making supplemental appropriations for the national defense for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1948, and for other purposes, report the same to the Senate with various amendments and present herewith information relative to the changes made. Amount of bill as passed House___

Increase by Senate....

Amount of bill as reported to Senate.

Amount of estimates....

1

$923, 100, 000

35, 100, 000

1 958, 200, 000

2 964, 100, 000

1 Together with total contract authorizations of $2,275,000,000 divided as follows: Department of the Air Force, $1,687,000,000, and Department of the Navy, $588,000,000.

Together with total contract authorizations of $1,453,000,000 divided as follows: Department of the Air Force, $865,000,000, and Department of the Navy, $588,000,000.

THE NECESSITY OF A Seventy-GrouP AIR FORCE

As the result of testimony presented in both public and executive hearings a great majority of the committee is convinced that the 70-group program is the minimum peacetime Air Force capable of providing adequate security to the United States at this time.

For the past 3 years the Air Force has advocated this 70-group program, and in this position has been supported by Generals Eisenhower and Spaatz, the President's Air Policy Commission, and the Joint Congressional Aviation Policy Board.

From all the evidence presented to this committee it is our belief that the initial phase of any future war would be determined by airaction; and for the first time the United States can be attacked, without warning, from the air. Immediate retaliatory attack through the air is essential to any subsequent successful conduct of such a war on our part.

After thorough study this committee agrees with the above military authorities and advisory commissions that the 70-group program is the minimum force required in the immediate future.

If the international situation changes for the better, this committee can recommend a rescission of any unexpended balance of these appropriations. This contingency is recognized by the Air Force Department.

THE ISSUE CONTAINED IN THIS MEASURE

The specific issue presented by the bill before us is the necessity for speed in the modernization of our air arm.

The testimony before this committee has made clear the time span required from the making available of appropriations until aircraft are delivered. This committee recognizes that its decision upon this bill will help determine the country's future preparedness.

To

The committee received convincing testimony of the necessity for an additional $822,000,000 in contract authority in the fact that by the end of 1952, if this money were not granted, only 47 air groups would be completely modernized, and all Air National Guard units would be operating with outmoded and ineffective aircraft. phrase it another way, by 1952 the Air Force would be operating equipment of 1945 vintage. It is the committee's judgment that this Nation should have aircraft equal or better in quality, quantity, and design than that of any possible enemy. It is well to remember in considering the need for additional contract authority for plane procurement that no airplane the design of which was begun after the start of World War II saw action in that war For example, the B17, popularly known during World War II as the Flying Fortress, was actually developed prior to the opening of hostilities in that war and the readiness of this plane type was a major contributing factor in the ultimate attainment of air supremacy by the Allies.

The members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations share the hope that international conditions will improve to the point where it will be possible to curtail defense expenditures. But with conditions as they are, the great majority of the committee believe that the Congress should consider essential to the security of the country the recommendations contained in this report.