Evening star., 1922-02-14
Early Action in Prospect
On Reorganization Program

These clerks were called hare from
every state In the Union to 90 Uncle
Sans work. They are waiting as
pawns to see where they are to be
moved In the juggling Of departments
organisation program has bean held
up for months because cabinet mem.
bers have an honest difference OF
opinion on questions OF jurisdiction.
President Harding is now wrestling
with the task Of reconciling these
differences.
Recently there has been moro or
less talk in Congress and out over
the failure Of the joint congressional
committee on reorganization to make
progress in it's work. Tho facts are
that at the last meeting Of the joint
committee in June q letter was re-
ceived from tho President stating
that he would be glad to submit his
views regarding reorganization to
the committee for consideration. To
this the committee replied that II
would be very glad to consider any
views the President might Submit.
And there the matter has rested.
Since then there has been no meeting
Of the committee.
In tho interval Walter F: Brown
who was made chairman OF the com
mittee. has been at work on a re-
organization plan. For two weeks
this plan has been before the
President. He has sent letters to
members Of the joint congressional
committee SO stating. and ADVISING
them that as soon as he can conside!
it thoroughly and put it in hnal
COMMITTEES, in accordance with his
letter last June.
The real situation 10 just this: Mr..
Brown had the time of his life trying
to adjust diOefence1 between various
department heads regarding certain
which, under the reorganization plan.
would be taken away from their
present departments and placed some
where else where they could be better
co-ordinated. Failing in reconciling
some Of these difficulties. the task OF
bringing these cabinet members into
agreement has been turned over to
their chief, the President
The idea is to present to Congress
a reorganization plap which the ad-
ministration will support. and things
have reached a stage where the au-
thority Of President Harding alone
can force this united support
It may thus be expected that in a
comparatively short time. considering
the time already consumed, the joint
congressional committee on reorgan-
ization will begin its sessions for the
purpose Of taking up all Of the ques-
tions that may be involved in the
Presidents plan, and any other plans
or suggestions that may be offered.
The committee expects to hold hear
Ings as soon as possible SO a. to give
full opportunity for ascertaining all
of the facts that should be taken un-
der consideration in deciding such an
important matter.
Mr.. Brown is not member of Con-
gress. but was appointed by the
President to cooperate with the joint
congressional committee, and it ia
understood that it was at the re-
quest Of the President that Mr.. Brown
was made chairman. 1t was stated
on the floor Of the House the other
day by the acting minority leader.
Representative Finis J. Garrett OF
Tennessee, that Mr.. Brown was Sc
lected as chairman OF the committee
by the majority members without the
concurrence Of the minority. The
joint congressional committee is
composed of Senators Smoot, Utah:
wadsworth, New York. and Harrison
Mississippi, and Representatives
Reavis. Nebraska; Temple. Pennsyi-
yania and Moore, Virginia.