The Colorado statesman., 1922-02-11

of national defense. There is, Of
course, opposition to the proposed
change, opposition in congress and in
the two departments affected. 1t Is
said that the President is favorable
TO the change.
Walter +. Brown, special Chairman
Of the joint congressional committee In
charge of governmental reorganization
plans. Is ready to submit the commit
tees official report to the CHIEF EXecu'
tive. OF course one of the reasons for
the appointment of the committee was
to secure economy coupled with ell
cheney In government work. Some OF
the opponents of the plan to merge the
War and Navy departments say that
economy may come, but that efficiency
will in no wise be enhanced. In fact
they say that the reverse will be the
case.
There never was any proposal Tor
change In governmental methods
which did not meet with opposition.
The proposal about to be made is no
exception. 1t, of course, cannot be
told until there has been a trial of the
new system whether the opponents or
the plan are right or wrong In Their
contentious. One thing. however. seems
to be fairly certain: Congress is to be
asked to authorize the change. The
uncertain thing is whether or not con-
gress will give its consent to the mer-
ger.
Fear Domination by One Branch.
A humanity natural fear on the part
of the sailor men, and also on the part
of the army men, is that If merger
shall come the activities of one de-
partment will be subordinated to the
activities of the other and that either
the army or navy soon will become
the dominating element in the depart
ment of national defense. If this new
department Is created one cabinet offi-
Ger will be at the head of both war
and navy, but he will have an under
secretary for each of the old-time de-
partments. 1t is probable that tho
chief will attempt to see to it that
nothing of Importance and nothing of
individuality is lost by either of the
merged branches, but necessarily hd
must be alert to prevent any attempt
at domination of one branch by tha
other.
1t is proposed, In addition to the
merger which just has been discussed,
to establish a department of public
welfare which shall include labor and
education among its activities. This
means that the Department of Labor as
such will be abolished.
There is still strong opposition on
the part of good many of the edu4
Gators of the country to the plan to
continue the bureau of education as Il
bureau. An actual campaign has been
in progress for long time to induce
congress to create department of
education with seat In the cabinet
to be occupied by some well known
educator.
When the department of welfare
was suggested many educators sought
and still are seeking to prevent its es.
tablishment They have urged that the
welfare activities of the government
best can be served within the depart
ments from which they are now d.
rected. OF course education is rec
oenized as welfare work in the high
est sense, but as the basis of nations
well-being is declared to be education,
the advocates of a separate depart
ment for 1t hold that 1t not only de-
serves, but necessarily should have, the
honor of cabinet membership.
If the proposed changes are made
following the report of the congress
sional committee with its non-congres-
sional special chairman, Walter F.
Brown, President Harding will have
some trials accompanying readjust-
ment of cabinet positions.
Presidents Forest Proposed.
Here is the title of a resolution
which has been introduced into the
United States senate by Senator Reed
Smoot of Utah:
Joint resolution creating the Presi-
dents forest within the present kai-
bab National forest. Arizona, as a
game sanctuary and forest preserve
for the benefit and enjoyment of the
people"
The forested land which 1t Is pro-
posed to set aside for the uses of the
people covers an area of about 3OO,-
600 acres, most of it being virgin tim
berland. Within it there are said to
be at least 10000 deer, of course in
a completely wild state. There are no
rail facilities within 200 miles and this
means that man not yet has had
chance to spoil the land as it came
from the hands of nature.
1t is said by the proponents of the
plan for the setting aside of the Presi-
dents forest that nature lovers, sports
men, conservationists of the proper
kind. and all persons who have heart
for the great outdoors, are sympathetic
with the plan to preserve this natural