The Washington herald., 1910-03-01

Senator Aldrich's bill providing for
commission to establish modern business
methods for the transaction of govern
ment work was passed by the Senate yes
/ terday. notwithstanding an unsuccessful
effort by Senator Newlands to so amend
the measure that it would provide for the
appointment Of the members of the COM
mission by the President
The bill as passed provides for COM
mission of fve Senators 10 be appointed
by the Vice President and five Represent
atives to be appointed by the Speaker, and
the measure viii pass the House. it may
be definitely stated. in this form.
Personnel About Decided On.
It may also be stated that plans for the
establishment Of the commission have
gone so far that the personnel is about
decided on. although no announcement Of
the names of Senators and Representa-
tives who are to serve will be made until
the bill is signed by the President who IS
in hearty accord with the plan for the
comission and the work 1t win do.
The commission. in addition to examin-
Ing into and reporting to Congress on
what changes are desirable or necessary
in transacting the business of the gov
ernment, will deal with the subject Of
laws relating thereto. and under the bill
power is given the commission to sit dur
ing the recess Of Congress. at such times
and places as the members deem desira-
BILE TO administer oaths. TO send for per-
sons and papers. and to employ such sec
retaries. experts. stenographers. messen-
gers. and otHer assistants as shall be nee
.essary TO carry out the purposes for which |
the commission is formed
Plan to Meet Expense.
No provision is made IN the bill for. th4
bill becomes a law an estimate of the
amount needed for the work viii be made,
and an amendment granting the neces-
sary money viii be tackled on TO one OF
the appropriation bills.
Senator Newlands of Nevada, in sup !
porting the amendment ne offered Civ
ing the President. instead of Congress,
authority to appoint the members of the |
commission. paid his respects to "the |
Tawney amendment" to the sundry civil |
bin Of a couple of years ago.
This amendment, Senator Newlands |
said. paralyzed the powers of the PresI-
dent in the coordination and co-opera- |
ton of the various branches OF the gov |
ernment
Senator Newlands wanted to know of |
Senator Aldrich if "the Tawnev amend |
ment' does not only forbid the President |
to pay the expenses of any commission |
acting under Executive appointment, but |
also forbids the President to detail any
official in the government TO such CON- /
missions or boards.
Mr.. Aldrich's reply was that the Presi- /
dent can appoint commissions or boards. /
as he may elect. but that under "the /
Tawney amendment he could not pay |
Treasury of the United States.
Previous Commissions.
Senator Hale, of Maine, was also IN
terrogated on this subject. The Taw-
ney amendment he said, SIS far
reaching, and Congress intended that it |
should be. Under it's provisions do not l
think it is possible for any board or
commission to be set a7oat and make
voyage. spending the governments
money.
That amendment does not prevent or
interfere with commissions which Con-
gress in explicit terms authorizes and for
which appropriation is made by Congress.
Otherwise no money from the Treasury
can be expended on them. The operation
of "the Tawney amendment has put an
end to vagrant commissions.
Senator Aldrich stated that 'the Taw-
ney amendment" was not directed at the /
Keep Commission, which he said was a
proper one, but that it sought to put an
end 10 commissions Of the character of I
the Waterways Commission. which had
its life in the Roosevelt administration
Although Senator Aldrich, who has been
in charge of the bill during it's considera-
ton in the Senate, has declared that he
could save $500, 100000 annually in the ex-
penditures of the government if allowed
TO run it as a business man, he will not
accept appointment on the commission.
Senator Aldrich is too busy.