The Glenwood post., 1921-04-16

the first two being directly responsible
to the people, but, as Congressman
Zihlman points out, tthere has grown
up a new adjunct to the three eo-ordi-
nate branches, namely, government BY
boards, by bureaus and by commits
sions. Such agencies had no place in
the original scheme of government
Lincoln called them schemes to defeat
the government probably beeanse OF
their tendency to work at cross pur-
poses with the regular branches, and
to absorb their functions.
ga study of the governmental organ
ization of last year will show that there
were 80 separate governmental agen-
cies handling engineering, architectural
and public works functions Of related
kinds; 90 engaged in surveying or
map making; 81 separate and distinct
agencies with authority to build; IS
authorized to build roads; 10 engaged
in hydraulic construction; 16 working
on rivers; Is doing chemical investiga-
ton connected with public works; %
doing engineering and research, and 10
engaged in public land functions. As
General Marchall, head of the army
construction division, said, 'Over in
the department of commerce the census
officer works with the bureau of Fish
cries, while weights, measures, concrete
and photometry in the bureau of stand
ards have their chambers right along
side the foghorns of the lighthouse. In
the treasury department the public
health service, the supervising archi-
tect, the director of the mint, the war
risk bureau, and the coast guard lie
down together; in the department of
interior we have the pension office and
the Alaska engineering commission,
and the bureau Of education pulls in
harness with St. Elizabeth's Hospital
for the Insane. If government work
is ever to be done at cost compare
BILE to that of commercial construction,
the methods Of handling it must be kept
apace with those in commercial life. ,
"What we want, and what the Re-
publican party proposes to give, is an
actual survey Of all these agencies,
bringing, so far as possible, all related
functions under one bureau, looping Off
those which are not necessary. This
would mean q huge reduction in the
number of persons now employed in
government work, and the prevention
of a vast amount of duplication. At
present we have no central administra-
ton such as you will find in great bus
mess corporations, to handle present
problems and to prepare for those of
the future. Perhaps the best plan
would be that provided for in the
Jones Reavis bill-create department
of public works to handle construction
and related problems. Establish that
department on the correct principle
that it may set the correct precedent,
and take the other departments up in
their turn in order that there may be no
serious interference with routine.'
"What would become of the employ
ees who lost their jobs, Uncle Ted:'
asked Ruth.
"Private industries would employ
those who were competent replied her
uncle 'But You see, the way it is
now, Jack, Uncle Sam with his depart
ments ia like the old woman who lived
in shoe, he has SO many children he
doesn't know what to do So, while
Uncle Samuel is studying his 'take'out-
ofs' you two study your arithmetic
lesson for tomorrow and learn your
goes-intos. !"
Ten minutes later the old man IS doz-
ing was disturbed by no sound save the
scratch of the slate pencils.