VOLCKER GROUP CALLS FOR HIGHER PAY FOR CONGRESS

Members of a private commission that recommended federal pay increases said Wednesday they are glad President Bush has proposed a raise for judges, but disappointed he did not also call for more money for members of Congress and top government officials. Before leaving office in January, former President Reagan approved a government commission's recommendation calling for a 50 percent increasefor judges, members of Congress and high federal officials. The proposal aroused a storm of public criticism and was rejected by Congress in February. President Bush later proposed a 25 percent hike for judges only.

``Pay for the public servants of government must rank substantially higher in the range of government's budget priorities,'' said former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, now chairman of the private commission.