The Cordova daily times., 1921-05-19
DEPARTMENTAL
 CHANGES BEING
 CONTEMPLATED
BY COL. WINFIELD JONES

clean. In the last twenty-four years in Washington the writer has not yet seen any new administration take charge of the federal government that tion' of some sort did not begin Sometimes there were real reorganiz- ations which improved the efficiency and made for economy in the fed eral government, and sometimes the promise was brilliant but the per formance was nil.
 The Harding administration is no | exception to the rule that any new national administration begins al most immediately after it takes con- trol to feverishly plan how to i'm prove the government. The Hard ing administration is already at work, with cooperation of congress, on a reorganization of the whole executive part of the government, which would turn over everything from A to z. There is no question but that such a reorganization, in the interest of eff ] ficiency and economy, is now badly needed. The war swelled the fed eral service to unheard of propor- tions. This, coupled with the mis- management of some of the dollar a-year" patriots, some of whom feath- cred their nests while the feathering was good, is the cause principally of the present high taxes. This govern. ment today is actually being conduct, | ed, as far as expenses is concerned, almost on as eXtravagant scale as if the war was still being fought A halt has to be called to stem the tide of extravaganza, and this the Harding administration, with the help | ofcongress, has set out to do
 | As in every big reform in govern ment there are a dozen impossible schemes proposed where there is one with real merit brought forth to be considered by the men who are tenn porarily in control.
 It may be stated in general that the Harding administration problem of re- | form resolved into simple terms, is really very simple. It consists in re- 1 duclng the horde of government em- ployes, who however much they may
 
 certainly not needed now in peace time. Next to this reform a rigid economy must be enforced in every government department and every government activity Fork barrels" which have been providing in the past immense sums for improvement Of creeks and alleged rivers which can only float rowboat at high tide must be thrown into the legislative discard. Similarly, appropriations for public buildings which are not needed must be made to understand that they must be firmly refused. Congressmen are not going to be given appropria tions for their districts unless such appropriations are for public improve ments that are absolutely necessary On top of this the administration must arrange for the refunding of the ten billions debt owed to the United States by the allies must begin to pay this debt. Every year that goes by that they do not begin to reduce this huge debt simply means taxes of all American citizens must be held at level where the citizen has to pay the interest on this debt. With this debt paid it has been estimated that at least one-fourth of the present taxes could be eliminated
 The latest reform scheme that has been suggested is an "undercabinet." The proposed undercabinet would be composed of the assistant secretaries Of the various departments, with a few other highly paid officials, new or old. The undercabinet would be semi-permanent, that is it's members would hold office permanently with out regard to the political changes caused by changing administrations The undercabinet would meet daily and handle all departmental matters not of the greatest moment, and such matters that necessarily would not have to be considered by the cabinet officers. It is argued that with such an undercabinet the affairs of gov ernment would be principally in ex- perienced hands, and consequently business of government would run more smoothly than at present. The cabinet officers would also not be bothered by inconsequential affairs, and would have all their time for only the most important problems and policies. All these suggestions