Evening star., 1932-04-08
Economy Without Polit cs.

n WAY Oul OI lllG lIltSNIOl anu IldlO u -
lous impassa in which the various moves
for Federal economy have become
vitation to Chairman McDufne of the
House Economy Committee for a m2ct-
ing of that committee in the executive
offices tomorrow and by Mr.. McDufle's s
cordial acceptance Of the invitation.
Present at this meeting it is understood,
will be various representatives OF the
executive departments. The object will
be an interchange CT views regarding
feasible steps for the elimination of
unnecessary expenses, the members OF
the House committee eCquainting the
President with their plans and the
President outlining the specific pro-
posals he has in mind and which have
been requested by the members of Con-
gress.
The most encouraging thing about
this meeting is the spirit behind 1t.
For until the subject of Federal econ
omy is lifted from partisan politics
and regarded as the common objective
Of all those in whose hands lies the
direction of the Nations destinies in
these critical times, nothing will be
done. The lack of impressive or tangi-
bic progress to date is due to an over
anxiety for credit that may be poiti-
cally capitalized this Summer, and in
the pickering over credit the main OBJ
jective has become rather hazy. The
meeting tomorrow will be between the
President Of the United States and one
of the important committees of the
American House Of Representatives,
and the less emphasis there is upon
the political Affiliations of the con-
ferees the brighter the chances for get
ting something done.
In effect, the conference should serve
the purposes Of the proposed joint ccm-
mission, representative of the legisla-
tive and executive branches of the Gov
eminent, suggested by the President a
few days ago. The only object of such
a commission was the pooling of sane
suggestions for effecting economy and
their transmission to Congress in the
form Of legislation. That result should
naturally follow the conference planned
for tomorrow.
In advance, the nature of some of
the proposed cuts may be judged from
the communications from cabinet
members to Senator Wesley L. Jones of
the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Six Of these cabinet officers have pro-
tested against fiat ten per cent re-
duction in the departmental budgets,
pointing that such a drastic and arbi-
trary reduction, without careful consid-
Grafton Of the manner in which it is
applied, can work more harm than
good and accomplish little in the name
Of real economy. Secretary Stimson
proposes shaking party plum trees to
the extent of eliminating twelve en-
bassies and legations and fifteen con-
sulates, a process to be achieved with
out substantial damage TO international
relations; Secretary Adams has again
brought up the plan for closing navy
yards and shore stations in Charleston,
S. c., Boston and Portsmouth; Secre-
tsry Wilbur suggested savings through
closing land Offices and eliminating
some reclamation works: Secretary
Mills offered the suggestion Of post
poning some Of the Governments con-
Struction work; the Attorney General,
pointing TO the vast task of law en-
forcement assigned TO his department,
responsibility if moratorium in law
enforcement" is declared, although Fed
eral prisoners would not starve ''if the
quantity and quality Of their food were
lowered" and Gen. Hines of the Vet
eranS' Bureau proposed certain legiS-
lative changes in the administration of
service to veterans to save between fifty
and sixty millions a year. There are
others. But a superficial study OF those
outlined is enough TO indicate the pit
falls In store for them and the courage
necessary to bridge them.
One Of the best arguments against
the proposal to cut Federal salaries Is
the fact that other economies are posi-
bic and can be effected with far less
damage TO the efficiency of Federal
establishments and TO the tens OF thou
sands OF its small-salsried servants II
political considerations are laid on the
shelf, where, at this time, they properly
belong