Complex Situation

The 79th Congress, which has taken to starting self-consciously every time congressional salaries are mentioned, had an unusually jumpy week.

In disturbingly rapid succession, two top Democratic Representatives--Virginia's Clifton A. Woodrum and Georgia's Robert Ramspeck--informed the House that they were quitting the Government. Reason: overwork and underpay.

Silver-topped Cliff Woodrum, for 23 years one of the ablest of House members, was bound for a reported $50,000-a-year job as president of the American Plant Food Council. But he wanted a last word before he left: "I have seen men come to this body in the heyday of hopeful youth, and stay under the blistering spotlight of public service until those once raven locks were frosted by the passing of many winters, until that agile step had been slowed and that eagle eye dimmed. . . ."

And why, among other reasons, was that eye dimmed? Salaries, boomed Cliff Woodrum.

Sedate Bob Ramspeck, headed for a vice-presidency of the Air Transport Association of America, at a reported $25,000 a year, made his point more abruptly. He called congressional salaries "a shame and a disgrace," urged a system of retirement insurance.

Across the Capitol, a Senator joined the crusade. Up rose Idaho's Glen Taylor, the "singing cowboy." "I speak as a poor man," said he. "Before I came to the Senate the greatest debt I ever incurred at one time was $2,500. At the present time I am in debt to the extent of approximately $14,000."

The reason, said Taylor, was the cost of Washington living, plus the cost of a house, which he bought for $15,000 but thought "nothing fancy." "I feel that most certainly we should have more money," he concluded, with conviction. "I do not believe that the people of Idaho expect me to go into debt."

But Senator Taylor's colleagues still had their complex. Immediately after his speech, the Senate voted down a proposal to hike its salary 33%, even denied itself $2,500 a year for extra expenses.

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