South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-27
MEASURE IN TESS
KENYON BILL MAY
BE STRICKEN OUT
Many Complaints Against Edu-
cation to Be Placed Under
Welfare Board.
BY LOUIS LUDLOW

WASHINGTON. d. c. June 26-
Because Of the very considerable
number of protests received from
educators and friends Of the school
system throughout the country. ed
ucation may be eliminated as a di-
vision Of the department Of public
welfare as proposed by the Tess
Kenyon bill. There is a split in
committee over the question of
abolishing the bureau OF education
ana transferring its activities to a
division of the proposed depart
ment
The bill is now being rewritten
and all reference 10 education may
be Dropped. The burden Of the
hundreds and thousands Of pro-
tests that have been corning to
Washington that education is suf-
fciently dignified and important TO
deserve a department of it's own
with a cabinet officer at its head
and that, pending this development.
educational activities Of the govern
ment should continue TO be admin
istered by a separate bureau, not
merged with various activities as
contemplated by trainers Of the
welfare bill.
As originally written, the Fess-
Kenyon bill called for a depart
ment OF public welfare TO be con-
Quoted by a new member Of the
cabinet and TO embrace divisions
of education, public health. social
and veteran service. each 70 be
headed by an assistant secretary.
The administration is not pleased
with the obstacles that are being
put in the way Of esta blishing a
welfare department and reorga niz-
ing the government service The
Fees Kenyon bill has not only been
under attack, but reorganization
plans Of the Smoot- Reevis commit
tee. OF which Walter F. Brown OF
Toledo is chairman, are being op-
IOsed in many quarters.
Back OF the Presidents complaint
that bureau chiefs, division heads
and other government officials
were hindering reorganization be-
cause Of the probable effect on
their own tenure Of Office and his
warning that activity from now on
would constitute cause for dismiss
sal. is the propaganda by organized
employees against changes proposed
by the administration.
Unionism within the government
service affords the greatest stumb-
ling block to progress along the
line OF eliminating duplication. re-
ducing personnels and efecting
economies and efficiency. The
National Federation Of Federal En-
ployes with its ESQ local unions and
membership of 10000. is fighting
the reorganizers at every step of
the way. The federation is affiliat-
ed with the American Federation Of
Labor and feels that support will
be forthcoming If IL becomes in
volved with the administration
Ever since reOrganiza ton OF gov
ernment Departments was listed by
the administration in its legislative
program union membership has
grown by constant and numerous
accessions. Government employees.
fearing dismissal and detachment
from the service, aurned 20 the
union for protection. with the re-
suit that scores OF new locals are
being established everywhere. IT
seeking new members agents Of the
union held forth the inducement
that members would be protected
in their jobs 20 the detriment Of
other employees lacking the friend
ship OF any organization with
strength. The warning that undue
activity by federal employees viii
cost them their jobs may be only a
prelude 20 a fight on the organiza-
tons within the service.