Evening star., 1932-04-04
ECONOMY AGENCY
ASKED BY HOOVER
Noap Named by Congress
and Executive Would
Drew Up Program.
Annnsana,ed From First Page.l

TAKH1dVeT ana II1G COuIlOiy blidb ~ ShAoSAN'
be done, It is my belief that still more
drastic economy than this additional
5000 600 900 can be accomplished. Such
q sum can only be obtained, however,
bV a definite national legislative pro-
gram Of economy, which will authorize
the consolidation of governmental pu-
reaus and independent establishment;
and bevond this. which will permit the
removal of long established methodS
which lead to waste: the elimination OF
the less necessary functions ana tile
suspension of activities and commit
nents Of the Government not essentlal
to the public interests in these tlneS
Chance for Savings Limited.
'These objects cannot be accomplish
ed without far-reaching amendment 10
the laws. The Executive is bound TO
recommend appropriations adequate to
provide for the functions and actlVltleS
Of the Government as now eSlapllSneo
nv law. This is mandatory, and tne
nnnortunity for administrative savings
is limited. The Appropriations Com
y,1ittees are likewise bound and can only
act within restricted limits Ihere-
fore. to lessen the burden upon lIle
taxpayers in a substantial amount II
is necessary to enter upon olneF LeIus
bv amending existing laws which pace
unnecessary obligations on tne depart
n1ents and independent establishments.
I'VE need repeal of existing laws
which REQUIRE carrying on OF functions
rot absolutely essential for the present.
This means that we should undertake
a definite, separate and co-ordlnateo
program of economy legislation Wnlcn
will enable the Executive and the Ap-
prupriation Committees TO achieve the
results desired.
"A clear indication that the limit OF
executive authority to bring ABOUT
economies has about been reacheds Is
shown by the fact that the total eX-
penditures estimated in the budget OF
$4.112, 100000 Cncluding Post Once
deficit after deduction of receipts) pre-
sented to the Congress, except
for increased payments to veterans
and expenditure on construction work
in aid of employment, was the low
est in over five years. A further
indication of the existing limitations
rs shown by the fact that of the whole
budget the appropriation bills passed
by the House of Representatives, TO-
gether with those recommended by the
House Appropriations Committee ana
the permanent appropriations, already
and do not yet include the Army and
Navy. Yet the positive reductions, in
Clllding the urgency deficiency Dill, so
far made by the House and by its COM
rntttees on information supplied to me
bv the director of the budget are less
than S35 900 600. 1t is true that the
committee has reported reductions OF
total of about Sl13,000,00 but of this
about $78,000,000 are effectively post
L.I L ,tNev nc
sion of the Congress and must tnen pe
provided for in deficiency bills.
Il say this in no wise in criticism OF
the action of the Congress or of its
committees, but of a demonstration OF
the fact that the latitude necessary for
real reduction of expenses can only be
secured by a thoroughgoing renovation
of the law to bring about real national
economy program.
THE Appropriations Committees of
both the Senate and the House have
given earnest consideration to these
questions. Also a special Economy Com
nnittee and Committee on EXpendt-
lures N the executive departments OF
the House have been engaged upon these
problems. Many suggestions OF oppor-
tunities for further material reduction
In governmental expenditures have been
made to these committees by the execu-
tive Offices of the Government, but the
major portion thereof require legtSla-
tive action and authorization. 1t ap-
pears to me that the four different
agencies of the Congress at work on the
problem, operating Independently with
the different departments, the time
which has already elapsed and the short
time available to us before the begin
ming Of the new fiscal year all point
to the absolute necessity of better Or
ganized unity of effort in all branches
OF the Government primarily concerned
with the problem.
Therefore, recommend to the Con-
greSs that in order to secure this unity
of effort and prompt action, and thus
insure the relief of the taxpayer and a
balanced budget, at the same time pro-
stecting vital service of the Government,
kthat representatives be designated by
ythe two houses, who together with rep
sresentativeS of the executive, should be
tauthorized to frame for action by the
spresent Congress a complete national
program of economy and to recommend
ithe legislation necessary to make it
possible and effective. Such a course
kwould expedite rather than delay the
passage Of appropriations bills.
Il am convinced that only by such
hunihed, non-partisan effort. and by
kwiiln1gness on the part of all to share
Ethe difficulties and problems Of this es-
ESential task can we attain the success
Iso n1anffestly necessary in public in
ItereSt."
The revenue bill was received in the
ESenate today and was formally trans
nitbed TO the Finance Committee, where
hearings will be started Wednesday.
Arrival of the tax bill in the Senate
was marked also by a veritable flood of
protests and demands TO individual
members against the new leVieS.
Senator Copeland, Democrat. New
York, piled on his desk huge stack
representing part OF 5000 letters and
messages he received over the week
end from New York protesting against
the House provision to tax stock trans
actions.
Senator Fess, Republican, Of Ohio,
showed the Senate a sheaf of more
than 5000 letters he received urging
that he stand against any reduction in
Federal salaries.
Il want to note receipt of these let
ters." said Fess, and have it reported
that I simply cannot answer all of
them. I also want to state that l can
not be Influenced by this kind of
propaganda"
Robinson Attacks President.
Hardly had reading Of the message
been completed in the Senate before
Senator Robinson, the Democratic
leader, condemned the President for
'shirking his own responsibility
He asked Why does not the Presi-
dent nov suggest how reductions may
be made?"
Why does he Shirk the responsibility
that is upon him? 1t may be necessary
to create a commission, but ordinarily
commissions are a mere way Of post
poning decisive action
This is an exceptional suggestion by
the executive authority. 1t is the duty
OF the executive to prepare and submit
the budget 1t is likewise the duty of
the Executive to make suggestions for
raising the revenue to meet the burden
Nf tho fiYdoat