Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-17
Reform of Executive Force to
Reduce Expenses $500.
NO ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Norton Plans to Give Bigger Salaries
to Fewer Men.
NEW POSITIONS ARE CREATED
Others Are Done Away With.
Permanent and Non-Political
Footing, as in Departments.

The adjustment of the office of assist
ant secretary to the President and a COM
plete reorganization of the executive Of
flee force at the White House are pro-
vided for i'm the legislative and executive
appropriation bill, now pending in Con-
gress.
The changes, suggested by Secretary
Norton with view 10 putting the ex-
ecutive force on a permanent and non
political footing. have been approved by
the House committee on appropriations,
and undoubtedly will become law.
The plan in view contempiates placing
the executive Office force in the same
position as other departments of the gov
eminent. Instead of two assistant Sec
retaries to the President, it is proposed,
that there shall be an executive clerk
and chief clerk in charge of the detailed
work of the White House
Norton to Save President.
1t is Mr.. Taft's idea that the secretary
to the President should be a personal
aid, rather than a clerk. Mr.. Norton pro-
posed to relieve the President as much
as possible of the Office routine
Mr.. Norton believes better work can
be accomplished at the White House
with a small force Of higher-salaried
employees than with the present some.
what unwieldy force. By reducing the
number Of employees he will be able ia
offer salaries to some higher officials suf-
f1cient to retain the men he believes
should be kept permanently at the head
of the executive work and to attract
others of like character to the White
House work.
The executive work is largely OF
confidential nature. The correspondence
is heavy.
Economy of $500.
The total estimate for the executive OF,
flee, including the secretary's salary al
$1,000 a year, is $1,000. a decrease OF
$500 from the current appropriation.
The civil service does not apply. t.
White House employees. When the new
scheme goes into effect, however, cons
ditions will be practically the same az
though the clerks were in the classified
service.
The executive clerk will occupy much
the same position as a bureau chief in
one of the departments. 1t is essential
that this official should be permanent
1t has been the plan in the past for one
or the other assistant secretary to hold
over from one administration to the
other.
There Is generally strong pOltlcal pres
sure brought to bear new President
for these places. The very title has been
attractive TO office seekers.
Just how many present clerks at the
White House will he retained under the
reorganization plan cannot now be stated.
At least nine employees are slated TO go.
Efforts are being made, however. to take
care of these clerks and messengers in
other DEPARTMENTS.
Plan of Reorganization.
Instead of first assistant secretary to
the President at 5000 a year, the new
bill provides for an executive clerk at
5000 year and a chief clerk at $4,000
year. An appointment clerk at $3Uu
year takes the place of the present ex-
ecutive clerk at $500.
Two expert stenographers are provided
for at $500 each. an accountant at the
same figures and two correspondence
clerks at S21JU. Other clerkship salaries
run from 5000 down to 81 900 a year.
The offices of doorkeeper and all assist,
ant doorkeepers are done away with.
This work will be performed by clerks,
and a wider scope will be given to their
duties.
Some new Offices at the White House
will be filled by the transfer from other
of employees who have won
the right to promotion.