The New York herald., 1921-06-14

Drastic Changes in Govern
ment Branches Contained
in Reorganization Bill.
TO CREATE NEW OFFICE
Executive Secretary to the
President Placed on Par
With Cabinet Officer.
PUBLIC WELFARE SERVICE
Department to Supervise Edu-
cation, Pension and War
Risk Insurance.
PUBLIC WELFARE SERVICE
Special Despatch 20 TIE New YORK -7EENtp.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., juno Is.

print herewith following the first
meeting to-day of the Congressional
Joint Committee on Reorganization
The tentative scheme for rearrange-
nent Of the Government departments
and bureaus for the sake of increased
and reduced expenses.
The realignment Of the departments
along this or some similar line is to
be the first step in the reorganization
It is to be provided for
n a bill to be presented TO Congress
Tor action at the present session. Here
are the essential features of the plan.
That the exact purpose of
each OF the executive de-
partments. which are to be limited
to ten as at present. be clearly de-
fined, so the transfer Of bureaus
which are obviously in conflict with
the major purposes may be accom-
plished by executive order or by
law.
. That the War Department
and the Navy Department
be consolidated into a department
Of national defence, with three chief
bureaus, one for the army, one for
the navy and one for a consolidated
air service.
z That one new department be
created, the Department of
Public Welfare. to be in charge of
all educational work, affairs relat-
ing to women and children, war
risk insurance. pensions and the
like
A That a new Office OF executive
secretary to the President.
to be filed by a man who Is to be
on a. par with a member of the
Cabinet, be created to look after
the independent Government bu-
reaus and agencies and to coordi-
nate so far as possible the activi-
ties OF the ten regular departments.
Takes over Public Works.
The chief reorganization among the
depa rtments is TO be in the Departm en'
of the Interior. according to the pro-
gramme. While retaining its name-ap-
the suggestion that It should
be called the Department of Public
Works has been dropped>as unimportan
--ftu "a ansa io 20 ha ho
Originally intended to deal with affairs
relating to the territories, the Depart
ment Of the Interior when the terri
tories became States became the dump
Ing ground for Government enterprises
which did not seem to fit into an.
other department. Now 1t Is intende,
broadly to put the department in charge
OF all public works in the interior, sucl
as construction or all kinds and Gus
tody of public buildings. irrigation
projects. &c. Many OF these activi.ie:
are In the hands OF other departments
the Treasury, Department OF Agricul.
ture and the War Department.
The committee decided on this course
as the first move in the scheme fol
lowing the receipt OF a letter from
President Harding in which he outlined
his views as to- how the committee
should proceed.
THE problem assigned TO your com
mittee has been discussed at length ir
several recent meetings Of the Cabinet.
Mr.. Harding said. The views OF thos'
charged with the responsibility Of ad
the executive branch OF th'
Government have 30 far crystalized
that | deem IL proper to present foi
your consideration the general conclu
slons.