Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-07-14
Roosevelt For
Federal Reform

Copyright, 1890, by The washing
ton Cfarl

= AA2 -
for Nice-?rtsident, who has been as
sistant secretary of the navy fol
seven years. The reorganization Of
the federal service for economy and
efficiency is being earnestly consider.
ed by the progressive leaders Of both
the Democratic and Republican
parties. OF the four candidates
Harding and Coolidge. Cox and
Roosevelt, the last named mas given
this reform The closest study and
speaks from years of personal ex-
p%erience in observing the rub be-
tween the upper and the neither
raillstones of Congress and the
executive department.
In his plans for economy In the
business-like administration of the
Nations business, Mr.. Roosevelt does
not advocate any close-fisted policy.
.lHe favors getting better service by
fewer federal employees by paying
them larger salaries and giving them
an incentive to work for through
opportunities of advancement in
making Uncle Sans business their
life work.
Leaders of both parties in congress
know the disposition of Mr.. Roose-
welt regarding governmental recon-
%struction. He recently appeared be-
LOAC NhC AO0oO aRR atAOAo 4
mittee and made those guardians Of
the public treasury a business propo-
sition which they had to turn down.
Here is his offer in his own words:
II offered to discharge 1ftsen per
cent of the employees Of the navy
department If the committee would
give me authority to take one-half
of the salaries of the employees so
discharged and add this 10 the SAL
aries of the other SIS per cent of the
employees. 1 would guarantee a
money-saving to the government of
the pay of seven and one-half per
cent of the employees of the navy
department. OF course under the
present system congress would not
think of giving executive discretion
such as l stipulated"
When Representative Clifford
Ireland, Republican, chairman of
the House committee on accounts,
asked Mr.. Roosevelt for his views
regarding the legislative proposal
to put the government establish
ment-the biggest business organi-
cation in the world-on a more
modern and scientific basis, Mr..
Roosevelt daringly answered.: "The
entire system of relationship which
exists between congress and the ex-
CCQLANC QCPdI lAlCAl 10 lunQdultIldl-
ly wrong"
With more detail Mr.. Roosevelt
explained his convictions in a letter.
to Representative j. Walton Moore,
Democrat OF Virginia, who was the
first to introduce in congress a COM
prehensive measure for the econo-
my-efficiency reorganization of the
government establishment. The
Moore resolution was referred to
the committee on rules which failed
to consider it although the author
made several efforts to have the
matter taken up and had received
pledges of support from Republican
leaders.
A similar but briefer proposal
was made by Representative Reav-
is. Republican of Nebraska, which
raj reported by the Judiciary COM
mittee. This was discussed and
voted on by the House the day be-
fore adjournment. 1t received a
majority vote but was not the two
thirds necessary for passage since
the House was acting under suspen-
sion of the rules.
The Moore resolution brought
about a wide discussion of the need
for something being done to correct
bad methods and practices in the
oN ~ III d1C l
the result of years of development
and it has the approval of such stu
dents of government as former Sec
rotary Lane and Herbert Hoover.
Mr.. Roosevelt's views are ex-
pressed as follows:
Seven years experience in
Washington, and a certain amount
of study of history, proves to me
conclusively that there is a tremen-
dous field for improvement in three
broad and distinct particulars:
First: There exists al overlap
ping and duplication of admins
trative work in the different depart
ments. New activities have grown
up in or have been assigned to de-
partments with little regard to good
business methods. A large part of
this work should be reassigned, and
much of 1t now scattered through
different departments should be
consolidated.
Second: Departmental methods
of administration should be made
uniform. For instance, no two de-
partments have the same account
ing system. In this same category
there is equal need for reform in
the method of making appropriate
lions by congress. The navy de-
partment has to go before the naval
affairs committee for its main ap-
propriations. 1t has to go before
the appropriations committee for
money to run the force in Washing
ton. In numerous instances the de-
partment has fallen between the
two committees. The appropriations
measures for the different depart
ments show a ridiculous hodge
podge of subdivisions. restrictions,
ETC., with a complete lack Of uni
formity.
Third: Congress must make up
its mind to give adequate pay to
government servants and to allow
greater latitude and discretion to
the executive heads of departments
in the fixing of rates of compensa-
ton. Without any reference to the
secretaries and assistant secretaries
in the various departments, it Is a
fact that the administrative officials
| directly under them are now paid
salaries which prevent the best men
from staying in the government
service, and which make it impos-
sible to obtain good men from the
outside. The result is apparent all
the way down the line. 1t means
that the younger men have no in
| centive to give their best energies,
for there is no future to look for
ward to and they see in many of
their superiors men who have been
willing to stay in because of lack Of
ambition and willingness to remain
in a rut.
1T do not hesitate to say that I
could run the navy department
mora efficiently in every way with
fifteen per cent. fewer employees if
/ could have the authority to take
the salaries of those employees and
add the amount. in my discretion,