If leaders in Congress are really serious about a new muchpublicized ethics program they will veer away from a backdoor salary boost for top federal officials and decree a congressional vote on the controversial proposition. This is something they apparently aren’t planning to do. Washington reports say neither house of Congress plans action before the deadline under which the pay increase – recommended by a federal salary commission and approved by Presidents Ford and Carter – takes effect Feb. 20. The plan would give members of Congress a 29 per cent raise A which, judging by past performances, could touch off new pay demands in private and public sectors and accelerate the inflation rate something this country doesn’t need. Under the convenient plan, the proposed increases become automatic unless one of the two houses votes to reject it. In the Herald’s opinion this is a shabby policy for the country’s highest law-making body to embrace and a poor example for lawmakers at other levels of government. Why not require a roll-call vote’? The Senate has crushed attempts to bring about a vote on the increases, and the House shunted the proposal to a subcommittee and plans no action before deadline, say news dispatches. A bipartisan group of congressmen said members of the House probably would vote to reject the raise if they had a chance. “But there has been no leadership from either side of the aisle to bring the matter to a vote,” Rep. Larry Pressler, RS.D. told a news conference. Pressler and Rep. James Jeffords, R-Vt. have a suit pending before the Supreme Court that would mandate a recorded vote on all congressional pay raises. The proposal would boost members of Congress from $44,600 to $57,500, up $12,900 – which seems excessive in view of all the benefits that accrue to the office. Numerous other, high level officials – executive and judiciary, also would get large increases. Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho, is among those opposed to the massive hike. He favors a cost-ofliving adjustment instead. Sen. Jake Garn, Pt-Utah, introduced a resolution disapproving the pay boost for Congress but allowing for increased – salary recommendations for federal executives and the judiciary. Rep. Dan Marriott, R-Utah, has been vocal in his opposition to the large raise. Sen. Orrin Hatch, RUtah, blames the Democratic leadership for allowing the pay hike to move toward reality without a vote. He said the Senate leaders had tabled two resolutions and an amendment to a committee reorganization bill which he sponsored in an effort to bring the boosts up for a vote. Time is running out. The Senate has recessed until next Monday, making a vote by that body impossible by deadline, since the automatic raise takes effect Sunday. rrr =–ir ‘ i A 3%”’v The Herald appeals to Congress to at least give the rank and file .members a chance to vote yes or no – even if it means extending the deadline, retroactively or otherwise. Isn’t a roll call vote the democratic way to go’?