QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 221)
It aims to keep the government budget in balance and maintain financial stability by preventing (1) filling of vacant government positions without presidential approval and (2) authorizing salary increases in the same position until further order.
No vacant positions shall be filled without prior approval of the President.
Until further order, no increases in salary in the same position shall be authorized.
It states the President acted “by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws.”
The Secretary of Finance informed the Chief Executive that the outbreak of war in Europe may reduce government income, particularly through decreased customs collections due to reduced imports from European countries.
No absolute total ban is stated. It prohibits filling vacant positions without presidential approval, and provides special consideration for certain meritorious cases submitted before September 4, 1939.
Appointments and promotions submitted before September 4, 1939 are to be given due consideration if meritorious; those submitted after would generally be subject to the new approval requirement and freeze.
They will be given due consideration, as stated in the Executive Order.
The chiefs of Bureaus or offices that submit the meritorious cases prior to September 4, 1939.
The President, as the order requires prior approval of the President.
Only increases in salary in the same position are prohibited until further order; the text specifically limits the ban to “in the same position.”
It is indefinite in the sense that it lasts “until further order.”
It treats the possible reduction in customs collections from reduced imports as a threat to government revenue, thus justifying precautionary measures to maintain budget balance.
Section 1: “No vacant positions shall be filled without the prior approval of the President.”
Section 2: “Until further order, no increases in salary in the same position shall be authorized.”