The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-10
WHET KNIVES
FOR BUREAU
MERGER PLAN
Fight Is Arising, lust as
President Hoover
Predicted.
OPPOSE RIVERS SHIFT
House Committee Doesn't
Like Proposed Public
Works Transfer.
OPPOSE RIVERS SHIFT
BY RUTH FINNEY
Times STAT Writer


WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Con-
Rressional knives were being sharp
ened today for President Herbert
Hoover's reorganization plan, as the
President in his annual message
predicted they would be.
Any portions of his plan disap-
proved by either house of congress
on or before Feb. automatically
are killed.
The house referred the Presi-
dents plan to its committee on ex-
penditures in the executive depart
ments of which Representative
John j. Cochran Dem., Mo-, is
chairman, and Cochran Immediate
ly called a meeting of the commit
tee for next week.
If majority opposes any part of
the plan, the committee will recon-
mend to the house that it exercise
its power of veto.
Oppose Rivers Work
During the last session of con
gress this committee reported a bill
to consolidate public activities, but
in very different way from that
now proposed.
The committee wanted the public
works administration to be an in
dependent agency, not under control
of any cabinet member, and ma
jority was opposed to transferring
river and harbor and flood control
work from the army engineers to
the new department.
Hoover recommends creation of a
division of public works in the in
terror department, and transfer to
it of all nonmilitary functions now
carried on by army engineers.
Politics Is Charged
Cochran charged today that poll
tics entered into the Hoover recon-
mendations, and that the present
cabinet would have opposed the
suggestions If it was not retiring
from Office shortly.
I'VE must safeguard against poll
tics in rivers and harbors work
and in other public work" he said.
There is too much politics in it
now.
1T can not be denied that po-
litical recommendations have pre-
vailed in the selection of all archi-
tects, as we'll as many contractors
in our public building program dur
ing the administration of President
Hoover"
Cochran expressed regret that the
consolidation plan does not include
the army and navy, declaring that
the greatest savings can be made
in merger of those two depart
ments.
Committee Evenly Balanced
Cochran's attitude was similar to
that expressed by other Democratic
leaders, indicating that the party
which is preparing to assume con-
troll of the government wants to
put its own reorganization scheme
into effect. 1t can do so in time
for the new fiscal year, if a special
session is called for next spring.
In the senate the Presidents plan
was sent to the committee on APP
preparations where it will be studied
by the special economy Subcommit-
tee.
This committee evenly is balanced
between the two parties, and if the
issue becomes party one, is less
likely to act than the house COM
mittee.
Meanwhile, the most sweeping
reorganization plan yet presented
to congress was offered to the
house by Representative Martin
Dies Dem. Tex few hours be-
fore the Presidents message was
read. and was referred to the eX-
penditures committee also.
Sweeping Plan is Proposed
It proposes consolidation of war
and navy departments into one de-
partment of national defense. con-
soEdation of state and commerce
departments. and consolidation of
interior and agriculture depart
ments.
In addition it would create a pub
lie interest commission to take over
all functions of the interstate COM
merce commission, federal trade
commission, power commission and
radio commission.
1t would abolish the board of tax
appeals, shipping board, national
advisory committee for aeronautics,
farm board, and a long list of les
ser commissioners.