Evening star., 1920-11-28
Departmental Reorganization.

Departmental Reorganization.
Senator Mccormick proposal for a
general reorganization Of the federal
departmental service, which is to be
presented in the form of a bill at the
short session, will probably not be re-
garded as an item of possible legisla-
ton this winter. Indeed, it has been
definitely announced by those respon-
sible for the Senate's program that no
such measures will be permitted to
block the way to the speedy enact
ment of the essential laws. particu-
larly the appropriations. Hence this
bill is to be considered only as plan
for study and future action.
That reorganization of the depart
mental system is needed is generally
accepted. A regrouping of bureaus
is obviously required in the interest
OF better administration. The pres
ent arrangement goes to the point
of absurdity, as the outlines OF the
Mccormick plan suggest. Supernu-
merary boards and commissions remain
in existence, long after their func-
tions have ceased or have been taken
over by other branches. There is
only broad relationship between the
subordinate bureaus Of most Of the
departments, and SO attenuated is this
relationship that in some cases the
classification is actually hurtful to pub
lie interests.
In the new plan it is proposed to
abolish one department, the Interior,
and to substitute two others, one
called the Department of Public Wei
fare and the other the Department Of
Public Works. This proposal is GER
tain to lead to debate, as doubtless the
author expects. 1t may be the best
scheme. 1t may. on the other hand,
be the least economical, in cost and
efficiency.
Proposals are now being advocated
for new departments" such as one
for fine arts and one for education.
The proponents put forward strong
arguments for these creations. The
Mccormick bill provides for the in
clusion Of all educational features un-
der the scope of his proposed Depart
ment Of Public Welfare, and all art
activities under that Of the Depart
ment Of Public Works. Doubtless ad-
vocates Of the Fine Arts Department
and the Educational Department viii
not approve the Mccormick plan which
would subordinate both Of those fea-
lures in the larger organizations
which he advocates.
Plainly there can be no such sub
division Of departmental organization
as to improve every branch Of ac-
tivity and interest individually. There
must be a groupment Of government
works. The present groupment is
faulty. and this arises from the fact
that additions to the organisation have
been made from time to time, and bu.
reaus have been assigned according to
the initial plan Of association. long
since overdeveloped. Take, for exam.
pie. the Office of supervising architect,
which has always belonged to the
Treasury Department because when
that Office was created most public
buildings were Of Treasury Depart
ment use. Still. the supervising archi.
tect has in charge the construction Of
post Office buildings, and as there are
more post offices than customhouses
that officer. according to the principle
of the original plan Of assignment.
should he under the postal jurisdic.
ton. Clearly the function Of build.
ing supervision belongs more definite.
ly to public works" organization.
Reorganization such as the McCor.
mick bill will propose and reclassifica.
ton In way go together. But re-
classification need not wait for re-
organization. II the principle Of clerk
groupment is established it can be ap.
piled to the reorganized departmental
system as readily as to the present.
There are urgent reasons for an early
consideration Of reclassification, and
the hope ia that the pending measure
will be enacted at the short session.
There Ia no more important item on
the congressional calendar.