Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26
PRESIDENT SCANS
OUTLOOK FOR Jobs
REORGANIZATION of U. S. Ac-
g. tivities Being Made in
Economy Program.

President Hoover, while calling for
rigid economy in the new budget esti-
mates, has ordered a REORGANIZATION OF
all Federal activities to determine
whether it would be practicable for the
Government to undertake further public
works projects u relieve unemployment
In recent weeks. as the depression
hung on, the administration has re-
ceived complaints that the Government
was not creating as much work as 1t
could Insofar as the protests called
for additional projects, the Presidents
response in many instances has been
to ask complainants to suggest where
in the Government could do more.
Among the various resulting proposals
was one for creating system OF four
transcontinental motor highways. An
other called for "clea ming up" the
national parks. A third proposed
national home-building movement.
Project Found Impractical.
The four-way highway project was
studied it is understood, ana found
impra cticable. The President is said to
have been convinced its value to the
Nation would be far from commensu-
rate with the enormous cost. Figures
are understood to have been LAID be-
fore the administration showing not
more tran 10000 motor cars cross the
continent annually. AS trunk line
highways, it was estimated, these roads
could not be expected to serve an area
Of more than 80 miles on either side.
The cleanup of national parks is
understood to have involved changes,
such as removal of underbruSh, which
park authorities thought would destroy
the nature of tie parks. Whether the
President passed a final judgment on
the home-building project, high adj
miniStration officials declare it would
be uneconomic. Some of these OIL
Gals believe project of the kind pro-
posed would tend to impair permanent
economic rehabilitation.
The exact nature of the projects
proposed has not been stated: in fact,
there has been no official announce
ment about any of them or of the fact
OF the Presidents study.
Job Possibilities Studied.
Mr.. Hoover. meanwhile, is pressing
his examination of the general field OF
governmental construction activity to be
sure that the administration is over
looking no possibilities for providing
jobs. At the same time. the President
has ordered complete checK-up OF the
progress on all projects authorized in
the Governments $500 100000 emer-
Rency program. This Is to ascertain
whether there have been any unjusti-
fable delays and, if any, the reason
therefor.
1t follows criticism, shared by even
such staunch adminlstra Ion supporters
as Senator Hiram Bingham, @epuo-
lican, of Connecticut, that Government
red tape has slowed up much OF the
work Congress and the President au-
thorized, so that all the additional en-
materialized.
The President, it is learned. means to
take action to break through such red
tape wherever possible.
In his letter to Government Depart
ments and independent establishments
calling for reduction in expenditures pc
low the original estimates as OF july l.
the President specifically excepted those
directly contributing to the pubic wei
fare in time of depression. On tne
other hand the need for meeting tne
demands of hard times is bringing
stronger administration pressure lor
economy in other directions.
Speculation in Navy.
Whether the renewed economy drive.
accustomed now by the preliminaries OF
preparing the budget for the tlscai year
to begin July, /, 1882, will seriously al
feet projected naval construction was
q subject of speculation in naval quar-
terS. ,a
While the budget officers at one emo
of the Navy Department Building are
working vigorously to meet the Presl-
dents demands for further economies,
the Navy General Board is meeting
daily at the other end to complete their
recommendations for beginning tne
construction of the new vessels the
American Navy is authorized under the
London treaty.
The modest one-year program Whlcn
was sent to Congress last Winter never
reached the floor of either Senate or
House. Naval officers contend that II
the Navy is to try to attain parity with
Great Britain the Forthcoming session
must authorize the Navy to build at
least part of that program and OF sec
ond-year program in addition.
1t was said at the White House yes
terday that the Presidents letter re-
ferred only to savings in the present
fiscal year.