Evening star., 1931-12-30
HOOVER'S BUREAU
UN|FY|NG SCHEME
BACKED IN HOUSE
Leaders Rally to Support of
Move for Government
Economy.
SMO0T CALLS PLAN
BEST TO CUT EXPENSE
Consolidation of Army, Navy and
Marine Branches Under One
Head Held Advisable.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Strong support in the House is as
sured for President Hoover's proposals
to save money by grouping government
al agencies whose efforts overlap.
Chairman Cochran Of the Expendi-
lures Committee, which will handle the
consolidation legislation, is in accord
with most of the Chief Executives rec
concentrations.
The committee headed by the Mis-
souri, Democrat plans to begin WORK
January on the consolidation program
by taking up Shipping Board activities:
Mr.. Hoover wishes to transfer most OF
its work to the Department Of Com
merce, and Cochran has already asked
the White House for concrete ideas on
how this can be done.
Rely on President.
Then the committee will turn to the
presidential suggestion for the consoli-
dation of all Federal construction under
an administrator of public works.
When that was suggested once be-
fore we didn't approve because 1t was
proposed to take rivers and harbors
work away from Army Engineers, "
Cochran said today. I'VE understand
now the administration is ready to let
that duty stay where 1t Is"
Mr.. Hoover and the Missourian also
hold similar ideas on these presidential
suggestions: Consolidation OF public
health services and creation Of single
bureau to handle all conservation actiV-
tiles.
Smoot Indorses Plan.
Enthusiastic support for the Presi-
dents proposal was given by Chairman
Smoot of the Senate Finance Com
mittee.
Il believe the suggestion Of the
President" he said in a statement, 'iS
the best practical means of lowering
governmental expenses and making 1t
economy throughout the Government
service"
At the same time, efforts to slash
Federal expenditures were pledged sup
port by Chairman Jones Of the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
After a White House visit Jones said
he informed President Hoover he pro-
posed to cooperate with the Demo-
cratic chairman Of the House Appropri-
ations Committee in every way pos
sible
I'VE will join the House in cutting
any appropriation they can find that
should be cut-or, at least, will" he
said.
Merchant Marine Discussed.
Jones said he also discussed with the
Chief Executive the latter's proposal
for consolidation of all Merchant Ma
rine activities under the Commerce De-
partment. He would not say whether
he approved it, but conceded consid-
cradle saving could be made by the
consolidation.
He expressed the view that the Ship
ping Board, under any transfer Of its
activities, should be returned to the
status of a purely regulatory body.
Educational Grouping.
President Hoover proposed consolida-
ton of all educational efforts under a
single head. The committee chairman
wouls give that work to the ONCE Of
Education in the Department Of In
terror.
Likewise, Cochran wants to go into
another question President Hoover has
not discussed publicly-the merging Of
the Army, Navy and Marine Corps into
one department, with assistants to the
Secretary to handle sea, land and air
forces. The War and Navy Depart
ments were asked 10 days ago to give
the committee their ideas on that sug-
gestion.