The Washington herald., 1921-06-09
us. CHAMBER ASKS
PROMPT ACTION ON
REORGANIZATION
Tells Congress Nation
Must Adopt Business
Methods.
CITE LARGE WASTE
Coordination Would Raise
Pay, Goodwin Says in
Letter.

Immediate departmental reorgani-
zation OF federal government along
more modern and efficient lines Is
urged by the chamber of commerce
of the United States in a communi-
cation sent to members of the joint
congressional committee on reor-
ganization yesterday by Elliot II.
Goodwin. resident vice president of
the chamber.
1t Is set forth in the communica-
tion that the national chamber,
since its inception, has given
thought and study to methods and
processes OF the government. with
the purpose in view of advocating
or supporting such constructive re-
forms as would be in the public in
terest and which would result in
more economical and more efficient
administration"
state Their Views.
Accompanying the communication
is a declaration of the national
chambers views. 1t Is as follows:
"At a time when the expenditures
of our government exceed $4,000
100000 a year. 1t is self-evident that
all possible economy in the opera
tion of the machinery of govern.
ment is a matter OF vital concern
to every citizen. and particularly to
every taxpayer.
The present system of depart
ments and bureaus, with their net
work of subsidiary Offices and serv-
ices extending over the entire coun-
try, has developed bit by by through
great number of years. 1t has
long been a matter of general be-
lief among persons who have had
occasion to deal with the govern
ment that the system as a whole
lacks coordination and general ef-
fciency, and thereby fails to render
the quality of service which Ameri-
cans have a right to demand of their
government, and at the same time
involves a great waste of public
money.
Duties Are Increased.
successive administrations have
attempted to remedy this situation,
so entirely opposed to the genius of
our people. But the archaic sys-
tenn, still confronts us, its, inefficien-
cy brought into sharp relief by the
increase in the number and impor-
tance of the duties which the gov
eminent has been called upon to as
sumo during the past few years.
This intolerable and un-American
situation stands out today as the
greatest single obstacle to a mu-
tually satisfactory cooperation and
understanding between government
and business. With our government
operating largely by means of ma
chinery installed in the days of our
great grandfathers, supplemented
by number of assorted functions
developed during recent years for
a variety of reasons. some sound
and some unsound, but involving in
all cases almost complete lack of
CO. ordination with the old machin-
cry. it is not surprising that the
modern business man and the gov
ernment officials, no matter how
able the latter may be, find IL hard
to meet on sympathetic terms.
viii Increase Pay.
TT is evident that many public
officials are underpaid. But 1t is
highly probable that the saving
which can be effected through the
combination of similar services now
separately and wastefully handled
will save money ample to provide
not only for needed salary increas-
es, but also for entirely new serv-
ices which modern conditions ur-
gently demand, and still leave a
handsome unexpended balance.
The chamber most earnestly IN
yites the attention of the govern
meNt to the great opportunity for
service to our people as a whole.
and particularly to American eco
nomic life at a period of critical
Importance to its stability which Is
involved in a thorough department
al reorganization at this time. 1t
calls upon the government to fulfill
without delay Its pledge in this re-
gard. and to proceed TO a reorgan-
zation and a coordination of serv-
ices along lines consistent with its
declared policy of More business
in government