The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-16

Of
PLAN ARE
READY
Success of Proposed Measures
Depends on Results Of Next
Quadrennial Election.


The forces of the Administra-
ton are gathering to put through
the next session Of Congress
legislation recognizing the Fed
eral departments and Independent
offices along lines which have
been urged for several years and
which, it is said, would result in
economy and expedition Of work.
Administrator Anxious.
No one can foretell the compost
ton OF the two houses after the
Quadrennial elections of 1924. They
may both be Democratic, and in
that case the reorganization pro-
gram formulated by the Repub-
Leans probably would stand no
chance whatever Of adoption.
Both as q sorely.needed reforn1a'
tion of the governmental branches
and as q tribute TO the late Pres
i1ent Harding, who was one Of the
strongest advocates Of reorganiza-
ton, administration leaders, includ-
ing President Coolidge, are most
OAAes@SA&SCA4S
the necessary bills by the early
months OF 1924: $3.50 -
Senator Reed Srnoot, of Utah,
vice chairman Of the Joint Com
mittee on REORGANIZATION Of the
Administrative branches Of the
Government, says that IL re-
organization couldn't be put over at
the next session, he would be in
favor of abandoning the project.
Senator Smoot called on President
Coolidge yesterday and, while re-
organization did not come up for
discussion, declared he would con-
fer with the executive on the mat
ter In the near future.
Details Mapped Out.
Walter F. Brown, chairman Of
the committee, and direct repre-
sentative Of the President, has laid
details Of his reorganization plan
before President Coolidge at several
meetings. He, too, is hopeful of
final action upon the scheme for
reallocation and grouping before
many months have passed.
It was declared by officials early
last week that one session of the
Cabinet this week would in all prob
ability be entirely taken up with
consideration Of the Brown plan.
Later, however, 1t was stated for
the President that. the formidable
discussion Of its various features
would not occur until all the de-
partmental heads were back In
/! Washington.
II this il carried out to the letter,
the discussion viii not take place
until next. month, as Secretary of
Labor Davis will not return to the
Capital until then. Some attention
may be given the matter in the in
term, however.
Approval Was Secured.
The late President Harding to
some extent. because of the deem
friendship existing between himself
and his Cabinet, was enabled to Sc.
cure informal approval OF all phases
OF the Brown plan. President Cool
idge has made it known that he also
approves, in general, it's various
provisions. But whether the pro.
posals will emerge intact from the
forthcoming round-table talk remains
to be seen.
Without the approval of the Cabi-
net members 1t would hardly have a
show for acceptance by the commit.
teemen, before whom it must be laid
for casting into bill
POipts at Issue.
The principal points at issue are:
Consolidation Of the Departments
Of War and Navy into one De.
partment OF National Defense. Reg.
Ular officers are strongly opposed
TO such q move.
Splitting UP the functions Of the
Forest Service between the De.
partments of Agriculture, Interior
and Commerce.
Grouping of all investigatory
agencies Of the Government, such
as the Secret Service, Division OF
investigation and Department of
justice, under one head.
Transfer of the prohibition en-
1orcement unit from the Treasury
Department to the Department of
Justice.
THESE must be thrashed out in
the Cabinet conclave. There is I'M
doubleday some jealousy existing in
certain quarters over the activities
Of Chairman Brown.
Joint Committee UNCHANGED.
That he has labored long and sin.
cerely over the various rearranRe.
n1ents he deems necessary cannot
be denied, but in so doing he has
stolen the spotlight from some who
might have wished TO have more Of
O hand in the shaping of the