The new postal rates will yield on an annual basis about $600 million of new postal revenues.

In addition, the Bureau will strengthen and update present instructions to the departments and agencies concerning the establishment of adequate machinery and methods to increase efficiency and hold down employment.

Central research to assist in this effort will be conducted by the Bureau of the Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

The best utilization of manpower is therefore important not only to keep budget costs down but to maximize our national security and our economic growth.

It furnishes a foundation for adjusting and continuously maintaining Federal salaries comparable to levels of equal difficulty and responsibility in private enterprise.

I regard the program outlined in this memorandum as of the highest importance to good management in the executive branch.

Employment needs are decreased as productivity rises and as ongoing programs can be reduced or terminated.

I have emphasized the importance of actions to limit the number of Federal employees to the absolute minimum necessary to get the public business done.

It is essential that employment plans be scrutinized at every level to make sure that every opportunity for decreases is seized and increases, where necessary, are held to an absolute minimum.

If we carry it out firmly, I am confident that productivity in the Federal Government can continue to keep pace with the growth of productivity in the private sector of the economy.

I have asked to be kept informed of the findings and recommendations that are made, and the action taken.

As I said, as these salaries become more in keeping with the salaries in private industry, it is also important that we maintain a comparable rate of productivity increase possible to the extent that Government work permits.

This is the most important international piece of legislation, I think, affecting economics since the passage of the Marshall plan.

Our citizens, that they may increase in the desire to promote mercy and justice, peace and freedom, good will and brotherhood;

Our homes, that this integral unit of society may nurture our youth and give to them the needed faith in God, in our Nation, and in their future.

This act is, therefore, an important new weapon to advance the cause of freedom.

An added obligation is therefore placed on the executive branch to make certain that essential programs are carried out with the minimum of personnel.

A vital expanding economy in the free world is a strong counter to the threat of the world Communist movement.

It is most important to recognize that responsibility for manpower control and utilization in the Federal Government rests squarely on the top management of each agency.

I am delighted to approve H.R. 7927, which is a bill adjusting postal rates, reforming Federal white-collar statutory salary systems, and establishing a standard for adjusting annuities under the Civil Service Retirement Act.

I expect each department and agency head to give personal attention to this matter.

Let us pray for our Nation and for other nations of the world.

The Civil Service Commission is hereby designated and authorized to exercise the authority conferred upon the President by the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 504 of the Federal Salary Reform Act of 1962

Congress has now enacted legislation ... to provide pay scales more nearly to the level of those prevailing in the private economy.

And our world, that this generation may experience the fruits of peace and may know the real meaning of brotherhood under God.