The New York herald., 1921-06-08
Would End Secrecy in Fix
ing Appropriations and
Bring Government
Branches Closer.
OUTLINE OF LEGISLATION
Two Days a Week, He Declares,
Should Be Devoted to De-
bates With Department
Heads Participating.
Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., June Z.


New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., June Z.
1T is imperative that the legisla-
Government join forces In graphing
with the overshadowing problem OF
cutting down expenses and enforcing
real economy If genuine and lasting
results are to be accomplished"
This statement was made to THE
New York HERALD to-day by Senator
George p. Mclean (Conn.), chairman
of the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency. He said he had been inn
pressed with the intensive study made
by THE New YORK HERALD of the fiscal
situation here, as disclosed in it's series
of articles on the subject, and he be-
lieves he has put his finger on at least
one of the weak spots in the present
system that is readily capable of i'm
provement. if not entire correction.
Congress and the departments Of
the Government work at too long
range altogether in reaching a con-
clusion as to. the size of the various
appropriations necessary for financing
our current operations" Senator Nc
Lean said. "They must be brought
closer together and one way to bridge
the gap. in my Judgment. is to approve
legislation which have proposed and
which I believe ought to be acted upon
speedily.
Open Door to Debate.
That is to confer upon Cabinet Off
GERS and members of various govern
mental bodies the right to the floor in
both branches of Congress with the re-
sponsibility and privilege Of participat-
Ing In debate.
"I have provided in the bill I intro
duced that this policy be followed with
respect not only to every Cabinet officer
but also to the Governor Of the Federal
Reserve Board. the chairman Of the Tar
iff Commission. the Federal Trade Com
mission. the Shipping Board. the Bu-
reau Of Efficiency and the Civil Service
Commission.
THE measure further provides that
they shall have the right TO participate
in debate 'on matters relating to the
business of their respective departments
under such rules as may be prescribed
by the Senate and House respectively
/ have also suggested that two days in
each week be set aside In each branch
OF Congress for this purpose.
What have in mind Is that on these
special days these executive officials
shall be present to give information
asked for by reason or In reply to
questions which may be propounded to
Ca. tA.~
provision that their presence may be dis
pensed with IL the occasion seems to re-
Quire t.
IL have in mind two specific results
among others which would be accom-
plshed by this programme. First. that
appropriations would not be asked Of
Congress by executive officials which
could not be defended by sound argu-
ment and on the basis OF real economy
and the genuine needs Of the Govern
ment Second, that Congress would get
first hand information direct from the
source at the time that such information
is really needed for the welfare Of both
the Government and the public--namely.
when Senators and Representatives are
forming their opinions on the size of the
appropriations they are to authorize.
Sharing of Responsibility.
'It seems to me that such a policy
ought to command attention especially
at this time when we are about to adopt
q budget system. That law is to go into
effect at the beginning Of the next fiscal
year. II gives the President new and
important responsibilities in fixing the
size OF our annual appropriations. These
must be shared to certain extent of
course. by his Cabinet officers who d.
rect the administration of the various
departments.
why not go one step further and
have Congress and the executive de-
partments work together on the final
approval OF appropriations?
The fact Ia that we need greater
knowledge both in Congress and on the
part of the public as to why appropria-
tions are made and what motives de-
partment or bureau heads have In recon-
mending appropriations. The present
method OF having secret hearings leads
10 abuses. subcommittee may be at
work for weeks listening to the argu-
ments presented In support of estimates
from the executive branches and hun
dreds of pages of involved important
testimony is taken. Congress does not
get these hearings and the press does
not get them until the bill Ia ordered re-
ported The usual custom Is to have
the bin at once considered.
Neither the public nor Congress has
time b digest the evidence In support OF
appropriations. and consequently only a
comparatively few men know for what
the money 70 being appropriated. 1t re-
suits In legislation not by Congress but
by few executive officials and a few
members OF committees or subcommit-
tees. II is time to correct this, and I
believe the proposed practice OF requir-
ing Cabinet officials TO defend their rec
concentrations on the floor would be of
great value"
Briarclff Lodge, Brarciiff Manor, N. ", "a