Succession To U.S. Presidency

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30302, 30 November 1963, Page 13

Succession To U.S. Presidency

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, November 29. The House of Representatives Speaker, Mr John McCormack, is now next in line of Presidential successsion. He continues to receive the 35,000dollar salary paid to the President Officer of the House. However, the Senate President Pro Tempore. Mr Carl Hayden—who becomes second in line for the nation’s highest office—received a raise from 22,500 dollars to 35.000 dollars. His previous salary had been that of a senator.

Mr Hayden now receives the vice-president's salary because he will be performing the vice-president's Senate duties even although he does not receive the title. These include presiding over the Senate, processing communications and legislation, and handling other respons-

ibilities involved in the parliamentary ritual. Mr Johnson's salary has increased from the 35.000 dollars he received as vicepresident to 100,000 dollars for being President. He also receives 50.000 dollars a year as an allowance “for defraying expenses relating to or resulting from the discharge of his official duties." The widow of a President is entitled to a 10.000 dollar life-time pension, but to receive it she must waive the right to any other Government annuity for which she may be eligible. Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy would be entitled to a pension as the widow of a man who served in both the Congress and the Senate. The amount is calculated on years of service and salary during that time.

A Treasury spokesman was unable to state specifically whether this would be more than the 10.000-dollar Presidential pension. He said this information was considered confidential and was not usually revealed by the Government.