Evening star., 1924-01-27
WAR-NAW MERGER
HELD IMPROBABLE
Protests of Department
Heads Have Made impress
sion on Committee.

There is every indication that there
will be no merger Of the War and
Navy departments into a department
Of national defense when the joint
congressional committee brings in
it's report on the reorganization OF
the government departments, upon
which it is now conducting hearings
Although no vote has been taken
by tho committee on this feature, IT
is certain that the seven members
are in practical agreement against
amalgamation Of the two service de-
partments.
It. also seems likely that the com:
a department of education and
health" under which the bureau of
education will be placed. Another
feature regarded as certain will be
the retention Of the photographic Of
fee in the Navy Department, the pro-
posal having been for the coast and
geodetic survey Of the Department of
Commerce to absorb the photographic
work.
Needs OF Warfare.
Secretary Weeks and Secretary
DENLY made a deep impression upon
the committee. undoubtedly, especi-
ally in that part Of their plea in
which they presented the statement
constitute no real Department of
National Defense" since national de-
fense, in modern warfare, involves
the coordination Of the entire re-
sources OF country, military as we'll
as economic.
to tho committee Just where any
saving of money could be affected
by the proposed amalgamation Of the
service branches, and the members
are not at all reticent in pointing out
to the witnesses that this is one of
the very first considerations.
Members of the committee seem to
feel that Congress might stand for
one new department, but certainly
for not more than one. For this
reason they believe that the proposed
clude educational and few other
activities may be put into effect.
Dislike of "Welfare.n
Nobody likes the word welfare" !"
Nearly every cabinet member who
has appeared before the committee
who has in any way touched upon
welfare" as carried in the proposed
fare"
AS an alternate proposition a de
partment OF education and health
has been proposed, and this Is the
with the most approval from mem
bers OF the committee.
Educators who have appeared be-
fore the committee have stated that
they would rather see the bureau of
education remain as 1t is in the In
terror Department. rather than be
placed in a department in which il
would not be the whole show"
1t seems very probable that the
committee, realizing the paramount
in a bill for the creation of de
partment Of education and health -
including the public health service
and various other somewhat CORE
lated activities Of the government
1t Is the best belief in the commit
tee that the Smithsonian Institu-
tion. which the tentative plan calls
for placement under the new depart
ment, could not be placed there under
any circumstances. the feeling being
the terms Of the will Of the foundeY
of the institution.
Plan for Interior.
Reorganization of the Interior De.
partment. to include q division OF
public works. seems to have won its
case before the committee. Secre.
tary Work made a strong plea be.
fore the committee for his own plar
of reorganization, which would in.
clude divisions of public domain, pub.
lie works and other services OF like
function.
It also seems likely that the Office
OF public buildings and grounds vii
remain under the War Department
Lieut.. Col. Sheriff.. officer in charge
having made a strong impression
upon the committee.
It Is not at all likely that the com.
mittee will recommend the change OF
l the name Of the Post ONCE Depart
ment to that Of department of Com
municationS."