The Washington herald., 1921-03-20
Grave Situation in View
Over Raising of Rev.
enue, Says War Head.
UNITE BUREAUS,
is ECONOMY PLEA
Tells Commerce Chamber
Of Reorganization
Needs.

1nree meInDcES VI
ing's Cabinet were here today TO
attend the annual dinner of the
Pittsburgh Chamber Of Commerce
They were Secretary of the Treas
ury Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary OF
Labor James ]. Davis, both of Pitts
burgh, and Secretary Of War John
W. Weeks. They were accompanied
bv Chairman ]. W. Fordney of the
House Ways and Means Committee.
Secretary Weeks, in an address
before the Chamber of Commerce
tonight discussed plans for reorgan-
king government departments ana
bureaus in Washington to get
greater efficiency and economy.
Secretary Weeks also discussed
contemplated tariff and tax legisla-
tion. He said:
Army Bureaus Poorly Placed.
I'VE have an organization in
Washington conducting a business
of several billions of dollars an
uually. During the last twenty-five
years, IL has grown from a govern
ment conducting a business OF
few hundred millions, until today
n has connected with its various
departments a great number OF ac-
tfvities of which our forefathers
never dreamed. In many cases,
these bureaus have been attached
10 departments apparently without
serious consideration having been
given to their proper location and
often without having any direct
connection with the functions OF
the department of which they are a
part When there are literally hun
dreds of bureaus operating In that
way, II means an almost constant
increase in personnel and conse-
uuent cost of operation.
This leads me to suggest that
frequently Congress Is criticized FOR
IT'S extravagance. but I believe there
have only been one or two instances
In the past twenty years where
Congress has not appropriated less
money than asked by the depart
ments. Indeed, IL Congress were
not more economical than the ad-
ministrative branch of the govern
ment, or the people themselves for
uEe of expenditures and extrava-
gance greater than we have yet
known
Now the salaries of these bu-
reau employees are specifically pro-
vjded by statute. Practically all
the employees are under the CivIi
Service. II Congress appropriates
for a $500 clerk, a $500 clerk
must be employed. This is not a
reflection upon government en-
ployes,, for i nave often found my
self wondering why some men in
the employ of the government are
willing to continue to serve the
government at the rate of wages
paid them.
Let me give one striking exam
pie of the desirability of a read
iustment of the bureaus in the de-
partments at Washington. At this
time the supervising architect OF
public buildings and grounds is
connected with the Treasury De-
partment; rivers and harbors mat
ters are under the War Depart
ment; public buildings and grounds
are under the War Department; !;
water power development is con-
ducted by a board composed of the
Secretary of War. the Secretary of
Interior and the Secretary of Agri-
culture: public lands are under the
Interior Department; public parks
are under the Department of Agri-
culture: public health is under the
Treasury Department; the Naval
Observatory is under the Navy De-
partment: public roads are under
the Department of Agriculture; the
reclamation of public lands is unS
der the Interior Department; the
Coast and Geodetic Survey is under
he Department of Commerce; the
geological survey is. under the In
terror Department; the lake service
Is under the War Department and
the photographic service is under
the Navy Department. All Of these
are essentially governmental activ-
tiles and. of course, should be un-
der the direction of one head, al
though they are not essentially
alike in character"
Touches ON Economy.
Speaking of economy, Secretary
Weeks continued:
The people have been promised
economy in government. They be-
ieve the government has not been
economically managed during the
asst few years. The only way to
sconomize is to stop spending
money.
IF a business concern finds its
credit somewhat impaired on ac-
count of large borrowing, and the
business more or less in distress for
.ther reasons, the thought of un-
lertaking additional commitments
which can be delayed or which are
iot absolutely imperative would not
De considered for a moment. That
ihould be the course followed by
he government
within the next thirty months
he government must provide some
ming like s17.oo0.ooo,0 900 to meet
Is running expenses and refund
ng operations This is an infinitely
greater task than was ever under
AIKEN by any nation in the world
n time of peace. and there can be
40 one. skilled in financial opera
ions though he may be, who does
lot view the prospect with more
r less alarm With this situation
.acing us, 1t is the height of folly
20 undertake new commitments IL
hey can be avoided. and / assume
NAT no one will dissent from that