The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-20
HOOVER Will have ]
POWER TO REVAMP
FEDERAL STRUCTURE
Economy Committee Agrees on
Move in Effort to Effect
Further Savings
FOLLOWS PRESIDENTS PLEA
One Proviso is That Changes
Ordered Get Approval
From Congress

Washington, April 2o.-R)-A Wr-
tual agreement to give President
Hoover power to reorganize certain
phases of the government to effect
savings was reached Wednesday by a
majority of the house economy COM
mittee.
Representative Williamson (Rep.,
S. d. was instructed by Chairman
McDuffie to revamp his proposal to
authorize the chief executive to ef-
feet the reorganization. It Is to be
inserted into the $200,000,000 re-
trenchment omnibus bill.
President Hoover had requested con-
gress to give him this power. VIII
hanson, ranking Republican on the
expenditures committee and author
of several consolidation bills that
have been enacted, sponsored the
legislation.
Although details Of the proposal are
yet to be worked out, the committee
indicated it planned to direct the
president to make certain changes In
the governments set-up, subject to
approval by congress.
Meanwhile, the committee began q
study Of President Hoover's proposals
to reduce by $8o,000,000 benefits to
World War veterans. ]. OConnor
Roberts. solicitor of the veterans adj
ininistration, explained the proposals.
The committee has proposed q re-
duction Of 1900, 900 in the veterans
administration.
A statement issued by the national
Headquarters of disabled veterans Of
foreign wars said the presidents pro-
posals were too drastic.
They would reduce allowances, pen
sions and free disqualification to vet
Grams and place other restrictions on
benefits.
A statement came from William
Green, president of the American
Federation of Labor, expressing hope
that "out of the confusion which
now prevails In congress will come a
constructive measure providing for
the establishment Of the five-day
work week and for the preservation
Of wage standards and working con-
ditions for government employees"
Green said the federation would
welcome the Inauguration of the
five-day work week for government
employees were it not coupled with an
enforced months furlough each year
without pay, the loss Of annual sick
leave and other reductions.
Department Heads Sorrowful
The determined slashing Of expen-
ditures proceeded despite expressions
of disgust by individual members and
some administration officials.
Representative LaGuardia (Rep,
N. W, called the present activity an
epidemic of economy" And charged
it was being sponsored by stock mar
ket operators to cover up dishonesty.
impair the machinery OF government
and go back to "the methods Of 1890"
Senator johnson (Rep., Calif1,
complained bitterly at the flat 10 per
cent cuts ordered in all appropria-
ton bills by the senate and 50 far
approved in the house. He said they
we're arbitrarily made.
Secretary Wilbur Tuesday sorrow
fully went over the interior depart
ment appropriation bill with Presi-
dent Hoover. The budget bureau cut
the department requests plenty, then
the house knocked off millions and
the senate took off 10 per cent more.
Wilbur spoke of "the odds and ends
that are left. called the enormous
reduction In Boulder Canyon dam
funds "hocus- pocus."