Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-03-17
by w. S. MANN

WASHINGTON, March 17:-Iu
these days when the old world is
harrassed with reconstruction prob
lens, when American business is en-
gagged In industrial readjustment
which includes foreign trade devel-
opment, and official life in Washing
ton is engroSsed with politics, there
is a closely related task which con-
gress internationally shows a DISPOSE
ton to tackle. In fact congress has
for months been engaged on several
phases of this task-to reorganize,
reclassify and coordinate the multi
farious departments, bureaus. com
missions, boards and what-not in the
federal service, in the interests of
economy and efficiency, so as to elm
mate duplication and overlapping Of
work.
There is now existing a United
States Bureau OF Efficiency. but the
legislative branch of the government
realizes that it a never function
properly because it Is subject to the
executive branch, Swayed by patron
8 considerations, and to be effective
1t must come directly under and be
directly responsible to congress.
Three Efforts for Survey
Three distinct efforts are being
tematic survey of the government
service to determine just where there
is duplication and overlapping, where
different agencies are elbowing each
other or working at cross purposes,
where several incomplete files are be-
ing kept instead of one complete file,
and how overhead expenses can be
reduced and efficiency promoted
through consolidation.
First-Republican leaders in the
House, insisting on economy and
slashing lard at the executive de-
partments' estimates for appropria-
lions, realize that for political ex-
pediency there should be such q sur
vey on which they could justify the
against the demands that the execu-
tives insist upon.
Second-Representatfve r. Walton
Moore, Democrat. of Virginia, has
such a survey and suggesting the
grouping in several agencies into new
departments such as public works,
marine service, etc.
Third-Representative Clifford Ire
land, Republican, of Illinois, has n
a QUESTIONABLE to something like $50
bureaus and commissions asking for
reports on their activities, on which
to base legislation looking towards
efficient consolidation.
There are now before congress a
number of related reports which
AluSt Oe COllSluerSQ anu cOOrulIdLGu
In working out this big problem of
government industrial readjustment
to meet the new conditions confront
the federal service.
A special budget committee, after
hearings, has recommended to the
House the foundation for a budget
system. This provides for correcting
OF the shortening and evils
with respect to the submission of es-
imataC hV tho nYnnntixn hropnh hy1f
House has not yet seer fit to take
away from the eight or nine commit
ICES now handling appropriation bills
heir jurisdiction and consolidate jur-
.sdiction over all appropriations in
One committee.
Pensions for Government Employees
After many years efforts. backed
by the recommendations of executive
and bureau chiefs, a bill
providing for the pensioning of u
government employees
been reported to the House by
he committee on reform in the civil
ervice with the recommendation that
or economy and efficiency in the
ederal service this measure should
,ass.
Following an investigation that
consumed six months and cost ap-
fortunately a million dollars, the
oint congressional commission for
classification of salaries of govern
nent employees has submitted one of
he longest reports ever made to con-
affecting 107, 600 federal em-
in the national capital, which
400 classes of govern
nent workers, and roughly a. 10, per
.ent. Increase in salaries. This report
promotion for efficient
ervice and discharge of the ineffi-
lent. 1t also recommends a survey
o show where economy and efficiency
ian be effected.
These three pieces of legislation
re given as illustrations of how in
ricate this subject is. of how con-
has bee working towards 1t
rom different angles and how closely |
t Is interviewer with the general
of government and the work.
ng out of sound policies and the cor
of federal activities touch
ng every citizen.
War Industries Board
During the war to get efficiency of
Industrial service under adverse con-
Bernard M. Baruch was made
chairman of the War Industries
industry in the United States was CO.
distribution, consumption and estab-
modities. During the operation of
hat board was emphasized the fact
hat many federal agencies were at
among the same Or similar lines
coordination of efforts or
the benefits of conferences for the