The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-17


an advisory body to the personnel
administration, and the approval OF
this body should be required in all
regulatory questions The personnel
administrator should be the chair
man OF the commission. Other func-
lions relating to the personnel Of the
government should be transferred to
the personnel administrator a. may
be deemed wise from time to time.
Reclamation service.
With respect to certain agencies In
the government. recommend q Sc
parate legislative reorganization OF
policy. The first Of these Is the re-
clamation service. Reclaim q tt o
should have a broader import that
that Of bringing unproductive land
under cultivation. We do not need
further additions to our agricultural
land at present. Additional agricul-
tural production except such mar
ginal expansion as present projects
warrant is inadvisable.
The conservation Of water by stor-
age Is required, not alone in the west.
but In all parts Of the country.
Need Water Storage
The effective development of water
conservation through storage is
largely an interstate question in the
aid Of domestic and industrial water
supply. transportation, irrigat o n,
and flood control. Where construc-
ton work for storage relates to these
larger issues, It Is properly the work
OF the federal government. Where
waterpower is developed as by-prod-
uct, 1t should be disposed Of in adj
vance by contracts which will fairly
reimburse the government for its
outlay. The reclamation Servi c e
should be extended to cover these
broad purposes of storage and con-
Servation Of water rather than the
narrow purpose Of irrigation. Such
important projects as the dam at
Boulder Canyon, the dam at Cove
Creek, and the development Of the
Columbia should ultimately be un-
dertaken when there is need for such
service and when contracts can be
made for the sale Of power to amor
tie the cost OF construction to the
government. The actual construction
work under this plan should be car
ried out by the public works admin
iStrator and the completed projects
administered by the reclamation
service.
Conservation Of western ranges.
There should be change in po-
Icy, In dealing with public lands If
we are to preserve their value for
grazing and other purposes. The
committee on conservation and adj
ministration of the public domain,
authorized by act of the congress ap-
proved April 10, 1890, completed the
task assigned to it a year ago. It's
report has been transmitted to men,
bers of the congress. Legislation
carrying into effect the recommend
atlons OF the committee also Is be-
fore the congress. These proposals
are the result Of painstaking study
and earnest elaboration. They offer
solution Of the problems, connect
ed with this remnant of our public
domain, which have persisted for the
past Is years. I commend the report
OF the attention of the congress.
deeming the legislation of sufficient
Importance to justify action.
Asks Earnest Attention
In conclusion, I can not recon-
mend too strongly that the congress
give the subject Of effective organ
ization Of the executive branch of the
government its early and serious at
tention. 1t is an essential part of
sound reconstruction and economy
program. A patchwork organization
compels inefficiency. waste, and ex-
travagance. Economy and efficiency
can come only through moderniza-
ton. A proper reorganization of our
departments, commissions, and bu-
reaus will result, not only in much
greater efficiency and public convent
ence, but in the saving Of many mil
lions Of dollars now extracted an
nually from our overburdened tax
payers.
The president, in his message to
congress Of December 8, detailed his
ideas for transfer of the shipping
board into the department Of COM
merce, as follows:
AT present the shipping board
exercises large administrative func-
tions independent Of the executive.
These administrative functions should
be transferred to the department of
commerce, in keeping with that
single responsibility which has been
the basis of our governmental struc-
ture since its foundation.
There should be created in that
department q position Of assistant
secretary for merchant marine, under
whom this work and the several bu-
reaus having to do with merchant
marine may be grouped.
1.-THE shipping board should be
made q regulatory body acting also
in advisory capacity on loans and
policies. in keeping with its original
conception. It's regulatory powers
should be amended to include regu-
lation Of coastwise shipping so as to
assure stability and better service. It
is also worthy Of consideration that
the regulation Of rates and services
upon the inland waterways should be
assigned to such q reorganized
board"