Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-07
Doubts Even That Serious
Effort to Bring Up LegisIa-
ton Will Be Made.
SEES NO FURTHER CUTS
IN FEDERAL PERSONNEL
Ambassador Sheffield Arrives at
White Pine for Discussion of
Situation in Mexico.
By j. Russell YOUNG.
Staff Correspondent of The Star


much if there will be any legislation
ization Of the executive departments
of the Federal Government at the next
session Of Congress.
While expressing this opinion to-
day. the President gave the impress
sion that he does not even anticipate
any serious effort at the coming ses-
sion in the interest of reorganization
legislation. No explanation of his be-
lief other than to say that reorganiza-
ton is a difficult proposition to get
before Congress was made.
1t Is thought unlikely that the Presi-
dent again will recommend legislation
Of this nature IN his next message to
Congress. Ever since taking Office he
has been an ardent advocate of reOr-
ganization as a means of promoting
efficiency and reducing operating ex-
penses Of the Government. In each
Of his messages to Congress and in
conversations with Republican leaders
in Congress the President has argued
in favor Of some form of legislation
that would make possible a complete
and practical overhauling of the Gov
eminent departments by institutlng
consultations and by transferring ac-
Invites from one department to an
other with the view to eliminating du-
plication, red tape ard conflicts in au-
thortty.
Liked SmoOt Plan.
The President was in hearty aC-
cord with the general plan for reor-
ganization sponsored by Senator
Smoot of Utah, chairman of the
joint congre ssional committee on re-
organization. When it was made evil
dent that the opposition to this plan
was so great that it had no chance
even of getting before Congress the
President then let it be known that
he would fall in line with any other
practical plan that would effect
satisfactory reorganization. Several
plans we're offered, but the matter
has dragged along. with nothing def
mite being. done, until the point has
been reached when President Cool
idge virtually has given up hope. at
least for the immediate future
However, the President is happy in
the knowledge that the existing law
made it possible to do a little reor-
ganizing on his own initiative. He
transferred the Patent Office and the
Bureau of Mines from the Interior
Department to the Department or
Commerce. Some other minor trans
fers and consultations were effected,
and probably still other reorganlza-
ton would have been done by the
President had he not been advised
that he had reached the limit Of his
authority.
It is known that of the individual
plans that cropped up last Winter,
when it was determined that the
Smoot proposal was futile, the one
offered by Representative Bacon OF
New York appeared most favorable IN
the eyes of the Executive He even
went so far as to put his stamp or
approval on this plan and to obtain
Senator Shoots consent to get De-
hind the Bacon proposals.
Commission Was Proposed.
The Bacon bill provided a reorgani-
cation commission of f1ve-two Sena-
tors. two Representatives and fifth
member, to be chairman. 10 he APP
pointed by the President. However.
the actual reorganization work was
to have been effected by the President
himself. He was TO have virtually
free hand. The commission was 10
make suggestions and reconlmenda-
tons, but the President would not
have been compelled to accept these.
So far as the President was con-
cerned, this bill had a decidedly prac-
tical ring and he felt certain the OBJ
iects anticipated by the reorganiza-
ton of the departments could have
been attained had il been enacted
Although it was looked upon favor
ably generally in Congress, 1t was
thrown in the discard during the clos
ing days of the last session when the
legislative machinery was clearing the
way for adjournment.
During his discussion of this subject
TODAY. the President indicated clearly
that he does not look for any notice
able reduction in the personnel Of the
Federal departments.
Although Brig Gen. Lord is busily
at work whipping into shape the esti-
mates for the next fiscal year aid is
CRYING loud for econ ony, the President
let it be known that the administra.
ton actually does not expect any re-
duction in the number of employees
that is a reduction Of any size. He
said through his spokesman that he
and his cabinet are not working 10 cut
off employees. but hoping they can hold
the personnel to the point where IL is
now. He is anxious to prevent any
noticeable increase. rather than trying
to effect dismissals.
OF course, the President and the
heads of the departments are insistent
that the Government service is not
loaded down with unnecessary en-
ployes.
10000 Cut Affected.
During his last talk with Gen.
Lord the latter informed the Presi-
dent that the personnel of the Gov
eminent had been reduced nearly
$1,000 since June, 1923. the Summer
President Coolidge succeeded to the
presidency.
Another glowing prosperity picture
was painted for the President today
by an old friend. E. P. Charlton of
Fall River, owner Of large textile
mills there and vice president Of
the F. w. Woolworth Co.
New England has been hard hit in
dustrially. but Is coming back splen.
didly, Mr.. Charlton told newspaper
men at the Executive Offices. He said
the tariff schedules are about where
they should be. and that recoveries
have been manifested in manufactures
of wooden goods. cottons and shoes.
All chain stores are prosperous. ac-
cording to Mr.. Charlton. and Wool.
worths expect to do about $3.50 .00o.,