The Washington times., 1921-05-20
HAPCOODfNDS.
FLAWS.
Legislative Grip on
Executive, But-Not Vice
Versa, He Says.
By NORMAN HAPGOOD.

Some people think the werd
budget the dul!est werd in the
English language. That is because
they do not know its inner signifi-
canee. 1t has two meanings. One
is a matter OF administrative c~nn.
omy and detailed efficiency. That
Is what is sought by the McCor-
mick and Good bills, one or tie
other of which will seen become
law. -
The other significance is the far
reaching one, and there is small
chance Of It's being Realized. 1t is
what gives the werd It's vague po-
litical glory. 1t has In itself the
essence of self-government, of pub
licity, Of knowledge and interest by
the people in what Is being done
for them or to them.
HAVING SMOOTH SHEDDING.
The Mccormick or Good bill L.
having smooth shedding, because 1t
lacks all the elements that make for
responsibility to the people.
1t Increases the hold Of the legis-
lature on the Executive, which 10
we'll enough, but IL wholly fails to
give the executive the corresponding
! right to explain Its positions and de-
fend them in the open.
movement Is now on TO induce
the Harding administration to try to
turn this legislation into real step
ahead, number OF business organi-
sations in New York have lately COM
mitted themselves to such an effort.
From the first days OF the Republic
ha 80, II
executive responsibility. but Con-
sressional jealousy has always won
1t will doubtless win again now. un-
less President Harding gets into a
position OF exceptional strength.
This II the most explosive political
idea lying around anywhere. 1t would
blow our present invisible govern
ment to pieces. That IL why II will
be fought so hard by the old gentle
men who are chairmen Of the commit
tees.
The Older they are. or at least the
longer they have been camping on
the Hill. the more important are their
chairmanships. That is known as the
principle OF seniority.
HITS "TNvIsIBLE RULE
1t means that these old gentlemen
get together and swap favors and
the big interests, and when II is all
settled they go through the farce of a
debate.
The public has no chance to know
anything about the real decisions and
considerations. That is why IL is
called invisible government.
A reform by which decisions should
be made on the floor OF Congress. IN
open sight of the public. was urged
with great energy by Alexander Ham
iiton in behalf of the George Wash
ington administration.
Hamilton was beaten by the jeal-
ousy OF the legislature.
In Lincoln's administration similar
attempt was made: again in the ad.
ministration of Hayes. and also under
Mr.. Taft. The Republican platform
of 1915 stood for the principle, AMI
Hughes defended II in his campaign.
OPEN ACTION DESIRED.
Bv one of those ironies of which
our history is full. the party in power.
committed by its history and plat
| forms 10 Executive responsibility. is
| going to pass what it calls budget
/ bill but a bill drawn on exactly the
| lines worked out by Congressman
| Fitzgerald for the Democrats. The
| McCormick-Good bill would have sat.
/ isfied Jefferson and disgusted Hami-
ton.
Suppose the Harding administration
does approve the Republican tradi-
tion, and again demands the right
of members of the Cabinet to go IN
the floor and defend their estimates
and their plans. so that all the world
can see the thing decided, what
chance of victory has IL?
Not much, but ] viii try to tell you
tomorrow what it viii mean to the
ordinary citizen of this free land II
by any chance such a step toward real
democracy should be brought about.