The New York herald., 1921-06-15
HARDING TO REMOVE
ANY IN j. S. SERVICE
who FIGHT ECONOMY
Propaganda, Well Under
Way, to Block Merging OF
Bureaus, Prompts Warn
ing by President.
MANY FEAR FOR JOBS
No Interference Will Be
Tolerated in Expense Cut
ting Programme of
Administration.
SUGGESTIONS ASKED FOR
Backfire, Especially in Hydro
graphic and Education Bu-
reaus, Shows Signs of
Extension.
SUGGESTIONS ASKED FOR
Special Despatch to TIL, NEW YORK HraALA.

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HraALA
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c.. June II.
President Harding served notice on
all Government bureau chiefs to-day
that they will be summarily dismissed
from the Federal service II they at
tempt in any way to interfere with
the programme for the reorganization
of the executive departments.
He instructed the department heads
at the regular Tuesday Cabinet meet
ing to spread this word among their
assistants so there may be no internal
opposition to the plan that Is In
tended to bring about increased eff
fciency and reduced expenses IN the
conduct Of the Government
Mr.. Hardng's action came a. a al
rect result Of propaganda already be-
gun In several departments to pre-
vent the proposed consolidation Of bu-
reaus that have virtually the same
functions. This propaganda is TAX
ing the form of a backflre from per-
sons In different sections of the coun-
try who are telegraphing and writing
to Mr.. Harding, Cabinet members and
members of the Congressional Joint
Commission on Reorganization. oppos-
ing some changes already suggested.
Mr.. Harding made It plain after ths
Cabinet meeting that he would not toll
crate any interference with the Admins
tration programme for reducing the cost
of government. He went so far as to
request the newspaper correspondents
who talked with him to make his position
absolutely clear, explaining that he mad
instructed the Cabinet members to issue
statements on their own account setting
forth his stand that immediate dismissal
would result from any such activ1ty.
Ready for Any Suggestions.
At the same time Mr.. Harding indf-
Gated that the Administration would
welcome any suggestions that were 10
be made by bureau chiefs in good faith
with a view Of assisting the work Of
government reorganization. What the
Administration is opposed to is the OBJ
vious backfire started by bureau chiefs
or those associated with them for pre-
N'btAuk VI lil-AI
with one of similar character on the
ground that efficiency could be main
tanned while the cost would be much
less.
Mr.. Harding declined to go into detaii
as to what offences already had been
observed in this regard. but he admitted
that the order had been prompted BY
such activity by some bureau chiefs He
added that such opposition might be ex-
pected in a thousand quarters, especially
from bureau chiefs who might lose their
Jobs when the reorganization went into
effect. 1t is one OF the greatest diffi-
culties. he explained, In the perfect'11
OF the reorganization scheme.
Members OF the joint commission
have seen for days that vigorous
propaganda Is afoot TO defeat the pur.
pose OF their work. One notable In
stance has been with regard 10 the
hydrographic office OF the Navy De-
partment. In an effort to prevent i's
transfer TO the Department OF Com
merce. where the officials believe Il
should properly go. since the work
naturally is an aid to navigation and
therefore in the furtherance OF foreign
and coastwise shipping. Letters oppos-
ing the transfer have been received bv
the committee in great numbers. Rep
resentstive Reavis. leader OF the or
ganization movement for instance. hsa
received not less than 200 letters with
In the last two weeks.
Education Bureau Protests.
Another sample OF agitation has been
with regard to the Bureau Of Educa-
ton, which IN accordance with the pro-
sramme IL to be included in the new
Department OF Public Welfare. Hun
dreds Of letters have been received hv
the officials protesting against such a
course. insisting that a Department of
Education should be created. since
educational work IL Of sufficient i'm
portnnce to be In charge of an fnde-
pendent department II has been fairly
we'll understood that certain officers
OF the Bureau of Educntion were IN
entire sympathy with II not behind ths
movement.
There is evidences. too. that interior
ence may take form In certain branches
Of the Agricultural Department. the
ran,ifications OF which extend into ell
sections OF the country. While up 10
date this has not been bothering the
officials. Il Ia said a movement Is or
! foot among various Departmental
agents in the field 10 start an uprising
against any change IN arrangements
which would interfere with their joba
Chairman Brown after conferences
with most Of tho members OF the Cabi-
net declared that the different depart
rent heads we're In entire sympathy
with the reorganization programme.
The dificuity TO be expected. he ex-
p,ained. was with the chiefs OF h~-reus
and with the thousands OF employees
who feared their jobs would be eunl-
mated and therefore were attempting 20
bring Congress and political pressure
/ 10 bear 70 retain them.
! At the Cabiret meeting President
/ Harding requested the members Of the
\ Cabir ct TO submit at the earliest poss-
bic GATE their opinions as to which bu-
reaus might well 20 10 some other de-