Evening star., 1918-02-07
SAYOVERMANB|LL
WILL MEET DEFEAT
Weight of Opinion Among Sen
at0rS Is That Measure
Will Not Pass.
VIEWS OF BOTH SIDES

The preponderance Of opinion among
senators who would express views to-
day on the administration bill intro
duced by Senator Overman, giving
the President authority to coordinate.
transfer and consolidate all government
agencies during the war. was that the
measure could not pass.
Opponents insisted that the bill was
the most drastic measure that could
have been suggested.
I'VE might as well appropriate a lump
sum of money. put it into the hands of
the President, and go home, il this bill
should become law" said one OF the
senatorial leaders. Congress would
then indeed be only a rubber stamp for
the chief executive"
Discussed Before by Congress.
Supporters declared that the bill did
not present anything new and was mat
ter discussed in Congress for years.
Senator Overman, who introduced the
bill, pointed out that in 1916 he offered
amendment to an appropriation bill
which practically accomplished the
same end, and that. after long debate,
there was put into the law a paragraph
authorizing the efficiency bureau to in
vestigate and report as to duplication
of work by government bureaus and to
recommend consolidation and elimina-
tions to the President.
THE bill presented yesterday does not
give the President any new powers" said
Senator Overman. sit merely authorizes
him to use the powers already granted by
law through whatever agency he deems
best fitted in this emergency.
Critics of the administration have been
demanding more GENERALIZATION and CO.
ordination Of war-making agencies; this
bill gives the President the right to bring
about such coordination"
Views of Overman Bill.
Introduction of the bill by Senator
Overman was regarded by some as the
administrations answer to congress
sional agitation for a war cabinet and
munitions director, giving, as 1t does,
blanket power into the hands of the
President to reorganize and coordinate
all federal departments, bureaus, agen-
cies, officials and personnel.
BY others the measure was regarded
as a complete reversal on the part of
the President from his statement to
administration senators. recently, that
there would be no compromise with the
Chamberlain bills for reforms in the
conduct of the war Some senators in
sisted that the President practically
acknowledges. in the introduction of
this bill. that the present system is
wrong and inefficient.
The new measure was taken to the
Capitol by Postmaster General Burle-
son and introduced soon after Mr..
Baker had suggested to the military
committee that such legislation was
necessary. 1t would empower the
President to make over completely the
executive branch of the government
for the period Of the war, rearranging
existing agencies and their functions
and establishing such new ones as he
might see fit.
of any specific action under the bill the
President has in mind nor of how
quickly the measure is to be pressed
for passage. 1t was referred to the
judiciary committee, Of which Senator
Overman is ranking democratic mem
ber. One move which some officials say
is contemplated is the appointment of a
chairman of the war industries board,
post now vacant, and the investment
of the office with powers similar to
those proposed for the director of mu-
nitions.
Introduction a Surprise.
Introduction of the Overman bill !
came as a surprise. 1t promises to !
change entirely the character of con- i
.roversy over war machinery reorgani- |
zation. Administration spokesman who. !
IN view of the Presidents statement. |
asst week, that he desired agitation |
,yer the military committees bill to |
ease. were prepared to check discus
sion as far as possible. now will go in
debates as champions of |
he new measure. which will be vigor-
ously fought by members who oppose
rranting the President further powers.
Senator Simmons. chairman of the
inance committee said Of the bill; TT /
. a very important bill and it will cer-
ainly need close scrutiny"
LAT first blush it seems to me. unless
Congress is ready to conclude it has no
unctions at all to perform. that this
ill will not pass" said Minority Leader
Sallinger.
Senator Hitchcock. Democratic MEM
,er Of the committee, said there could
De no doubt that the suggestions of
he military committee for more CO.
ordination in the government had been
he stimulus of the new measure. "It