The Owosso times., 1922-02-10


said that the President is favorable
to the change.
Walter Il. Brown, special chairman
OF the joint congressional committee IL
charge OF governmental reorganization
plans, Is ready To submit the commit
tees official report to the Chief Execu
tive. or course one of the reasons fol
the appointment of the committee was
TO secure economy coupled with eff
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
viii In no wise be enhanced. In fact
they say that the reverse will be the
case
There never was any proposal for a
change In governmental methods
which did not meet with opposition.
The proposal about to be made is no
exception. It, Of course, cannot be
told until there has been trial OF the
new system whether the opponents of
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 IL a merger
shall come the activities of one de-
partment will be subOrdnated 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 Off
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 the
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 he
must be alert TO prevent any attempt
at domination of one branch by the
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 he abolished
Tbara ic ctiIl ctrnnr onpncstinp on
the part Of good many Of the edu-
Gators of the country to the plan to
continue the bureau of education. as
bureau. An actual campaign has been
i'm progress for long time To induce
congress To create a 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 he served within the depart
ments from which they are now di-
rected. OF course education Is rec
ognized as welfare work I'm the high
est sense. but as the basis of nations
well-being Is declared TO he education,
the advocates Of separate depart
ment for 1t hold that It not only de-
serves, but necessarily should have. the
honor of cabinet membership.
If the proposed changes are made
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 resolution
which has been introduced into the |
United States senate by Senator Reed |
SmOOt of Utah: