The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-21
PRESIDENT
TALKS Of
CHANGES
confers With Congressman Hill
on Reorganization of Ex-
ecutive Departments.

Representations which he be-
lieves embody the ideas of many
of his conferees concerning prac-
teal methods for recognizing the
Government departments today
were made to President Coolidge
by Congressman John Philip Hill
Of Maryland on the occasion Of
an appointment with the Chief
Executive during which the sub
ject Of railroad consolidation also
was touched upon.
The outstanding declaration Of
Mr.. Hill was that, in his opinion,
the plan for which Walter F.
Brown, chairman of the Joint Com
mittee on the Reorganization Of
the Administrative Branch of the
Government, is chief sponsor,
would never be adopted by Con-
gress, although he admitted it has
many good features.
Opposes More Departments.
The principal opposition. he de-
clared, would be to the addition OF
another department-that Of Public
Welfare-to the ten already existing.
Congressional sentiment, said Hill,
is against the creation Of new
branches.
There are too many departments
now" he asserted. Instead Of max
ing additions, there should be reduc-
tons, If possible" At the same
time, he made 1t clear, that it is the
desire of the legislators to reduce
overlapping of authority and dupl:ca-
ton of effort and to increase eff
ciency."
There are some excellent ideas
advanced in the Brown plan," he con-
tinued, land / believe that these
should be embodied in a new plan
that should be drawn up for early
consideration by the next Congress.
Hill opposes the proposed con-
solidation Of the Navy and War De-
partments, advocated in the Brown
plan.
Mr.. Hill also took occasion to
compliment President Coolidge on
his appointment of C. Bascom
Slemp, former Republican Congress
man from Virginia, as his secretary.
Slemp Appointment Praised.
1.-THE death of President Harding"
he told newspapermen after his in
terview with Mr.. Coolidge. IRE
vived the consideration of relief of
the President from some Of the
enormously increased executive
duties which have come with the
gradual growth of the power of the
Federal Executive. There have
been a number Of suggestions for
new legislation on this subject. It
Is very characteristic of President
Coolidge that. without the addition
of new and unnecessary laws, he
has quietly and effectively solved
the question by the appointment as
his secretary Of a man whose &C.
ceptance Of this position raises it to
Cabinet dignity.
Former Congressman Slemp has
had very extraordinary experience
| in Congress. BY his appointment
as secretary to the President there
has been instituted a first great
| reform in the Executive machinery
Of the Government. The secretary
occupies a position OF extreme i'm
portance, and his personality and
| ability may make or mar the sue
cess Of his Chiefs Administration.
Since he is really an extension of
the Presidents own personality.
| there seems to be no reason for
any change in the laws regulating
the secretaryship."
On the score Of prohibition mcdt'
| ficat!Cn, Mr.. Hill. one Of the lead
| ing wet advocates Of the lower
| house. seemed optimistic. He de-
clared his belief that the next Con
gress would number among its
| membership many more liberal
| constitutionalists'' than the last
giving hope of changing the dras-
tic portions Of the Volsread act.