Evening star., 1925-11-12
Scramble in Congress.

From all appearances there is going
to be something resembling a scramble
in the Senate and the House when it
settles down to business in December
to be the first to introduce legislation
giving the President these so-Called
autocratic powers to do the reorgan-
izing himself.
Senator Curtis of Kansas, Repub-
liCan leader of the Senate and one of
the Presidents closest legisla tive ad-
Visers, was the first to let the PreSi-
dent know of his plans for bringing
= bout a practical departmental re
organization. The Kansas Senator is
especially anxious TO see all of what
he describes as the score or more OF
useless and unnecessary independent
bureaus completely wiped out. In
his arguments for reorga MIA ton he
contends saving Of more than 5000.
ono 900 annually can be made possible
Although he has had a number of his
collea SueS agree with him rega riding
reorgani7 and the elimination of
most of the independent agencies, all
of them do not agree with his claims
for such a tremendous saving. But
Representative Davey believes the
saving would be huge Brig. Gen.
Lord. director of the budget. and one
or the advocates for reorganization
does not believe the money saving
would be great. prOba bly, less than
$4,000 900 annually ut first. but the
real accomplishment would be IN the
application Of more businese.lil5e
methods of doing business and the
elimtnation of duplicated effort and
the conflict Of authority and duties.
Senator Edge OF New Jersey an
nounCed TO the President more than
Two months ago that he would intro
duce resolution turning the reor-
ganiZation undertaking over to the
Executive. His aim. however, is m
bring about the aholishment Of the
United States Shipping Board. which.
ne contends, is not properly function
ing In the matter of operating the
merchant marine. by transferring the
hoard's work over TO one Of the OK
lsung departments. more preferably
the Department of Commerce.
Senator Mckinley Of Illinois is an
other Senator'S who approve of the
one man idea of handling the prob-
lem. as IS Representative Martin
Madden of Illinois. chairman of tho
appropriations committee OF the
House.
Attitude of President.
None of these legislators sees any
chance for the Smoot- Brown reor.-
Eanlzation bill ever becoming n law
They have told the President so. but
no one has yet received the presi-
dents Endorsement Of his individual
proposition for reOrga nization The
President has been happy to listen to
them He has told friends that he is
now pledged to the Smoot- Brown bill.
but If it is impossible TO bet this
measure through he will give his sup
port to some other proposal if II is of
parCtical nature.
Representative Davey thinks his
plan is of very practical nature.
Claim is made by Representative
Davey that at least 1O0,0 Govern
ment employs could be dispensed
with and saving of al least $780,
100000 effected in the cost of Gov
ernment If his bill is passed and the
President is free to coordinate. cor
solidate and t,p off Federal agencies.
as an efficient business manager
would.
His bill provides for the removal
Of unnecessary and useless Govern
ment employees. officials, divisions.
bureaus and commissions. whether
or not such employees and officials
have been selected and appointed by
the Civil Service Commission and
regardless of any classification here
tofore awarded by such commission"
The Davey bill also provides for
the temporary appointment of an
advisory reorganiza ton board, at
salaries not to exceed $4,000 a year
year to each member.
The President would also be