The New York herald., 1922-04-05
HARDING PREPARING
GENERAL SHAKEUP IN
TREASURY BUREAUS
Another Custer Predicted
After Assistant Secretary
DOter Sees Him.
PRESIDENT GETS LISTS
Income Tax and PrOhibi-
ti0n Divisions May be
Overhauled.
WANT MORE EFFICIENCY
Organized Labor's Control Is
Blamed for Inefficiency in
Engraving Bureau.
WANT MORE EFFICIENCY
Specie Dispatch to THE NEw yoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Rnrean

SpsciH' Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., April 4.
Shakeups in different hureaus OF
the Treasury Department were pre-
dicted tonight after a conference be-
tween President Harding and Assist
ant Secretary Of tie Treasury Elmer
Dover. The income tax and other
units of the Treasury. including lie
prohibition unit. are due for an over
hauling. Democrats are to
planted in large numbers by
cans If the latter are able to Guaufy
Mr.. Dover, completing a review of
the personnel of the different divisions
of the Treasury. carried to the White
House lists of jobs which, may be
made available to Republicans. The
President, with the advice of the At
torney- General, takes the position
that the civil service restrictions will
not be permitted to stand in the way
Of a housecleaning in all Depart
ments where 1t is necessary in the
interest Of economy or efficiency.
Mellon Goes over situation.
Secretary Mellon has gone over the
entire situation with the President.
He also has discussed the matter with
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue
Blair. Mr.. Blair is said to be in full
sympathy with the plan to reorganzie
the Department and replace present
occupants who may be Democrats
with Republicans who Eavc the neccs-
sary qualifications.
Organized labor's control over the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing and
the demoralizing conflict of authority
which arose from II was one OF the main
underlying causes of the Presidents
order summarily dsmissing the execu-
tive heads of that bureau. The reports
submitted to the President and the Sec
retary OF the Treasury, after an inves.
tigation extending several weeks. blamed
labor agitators for dissensions which
had disturbed the morale of the bureau.
Labor's representatives are said to
have been supreme in their rulings Of
certain bureau administrative matters.
and at times are said even to have defied
the former director. James L. Wilmeth
They are alleged TO have been en-
couraged In this attitude by certain
members of Congress-.
The condition found to exist was so
chaotic that II was not believed either
feasible or desirable to try to harmonize
the differences in evidence. Tho deci-
sion. therefore. was reached to make a
clean sweep.
Harding Sure of His Ground.
President Harding to-day still believed
he had ample authority to act as he did.
The President sent a message to one Of
the deposed officials that no charges had
been filed against any OF their number
and that the President had no intention
OF rejecting upon the character OF any
OF those involved In the dismissal order.
In the Senate Democratic members
continued their attack upon the Presi-
dent for his disregard OF the civil
service procedure in the case =, tbo
bureau officials. Republicans, led bv
Senator's New Gnd.), and Moses IN.
HI. took up the challenge and ad-
mitted that regardless OF civil service
they adhered 90 the principle that "to
the victors belong the spoils." defend
ing the Presidents action solely on the
ground that 1t was good politics.
During the debate the civil service
system was under constant fire. Sem
ator Stanley tKy) charged that the
system was originated by the Republi-
cans who have claimed much credit for
It's adoption, but Senator Moses took
issue with him on that point. saying
ut originated with Democrat during
the Arthur administration. Thus II was
sired by a Democrat and has been
damned by everybody since
senator Moses's Hope.
In thc midst of the debate a message
from the President was announced which
caused Senator Moses 90 observe:
IT hope the message contains the
names OF a large number OF good Re-
publicans who are TO take the place OF
Democrats In office"
Senator Norris tNeb.) criticized the
Republican party for ignoring che lot
ter and spirit of the civil service rules
in making places in the Post office
Department and elsewhere for Repub-
lcans.
I'VE made our campaign on the pledge
that we would observe civil service
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