Evening star., 1932-12-25
.REGROUP|NG PLAN
DOOMED IN HOUSE
Representative Cochran to
Ask Suspension of Hoover
Proposals.

The DOOM o. President Hoover's Gov
ernment reorganization program was
apparently spelled today when Repre-
sentative John J. Cochran, Democrat
Of Missouri, chairman of the House
Expenditures Committee, declared a
resolution would be offered to suspend
the whole plan during this session OF
Congress.
With the House Democratic leader
ship ready 10 support this move when
once the initiative has been taken and
with no great enthusiasm for the con-
solidation scheme being manifested in
the Senate, the Presidents detailed
recommendations, eliminating some 1O
years of appeal on his part for reorgani-
zation. are due to be si5etracked.
At the same time it became increas-
ingly clear that the Christmas greeting
Of Congress to the White House are
taking the form of notice that practi-
cally all Mr.. Hoover's proposals and
suggestions at the present session will
be sc-apped
Follows Hearings.
The definite move to suspend Presi-
dent Hoover's consultations in Gov
eminent departments will be under
taken shortly after January !, Repre-
sentative Cochran said. Chairman
Cochran will offer a resolution for a
report by his committee to set aside
the executive order for the present ses-
sion of Congress, based on the conclu-
sion that mergers ana reorganizations
should await the incoming administra-
ton.
The decision of Mr. Cochran was
reached after several hearings at which
the Presidents plan had been discussed
disclosing opposition to the suggested
changes affecting So Federal agencies
and considerable confusion, Represent
ative Cochran added, as to what, il
any, savings might be accomplished.
Unless adverse action Is taken by
Congress, the Presidents orders, II in
number, will become effective about
February Is and the consultations will
be carried out in the closing days of the
present administration.
Nobody appears to favor the consoli-
dations as outlined" declared Chair
man Cochran. "and it does not appear
practicable to undertake a consolidation
T. to add to the difficulties OF an In
coming President. There is definite op-
position in Congress to the proposed
transfer of the river and harbor and
flood control activities of the Army En-
gineers to the Department OF Interior
and Congress will never agree to remov-
ing authority from the office OF the
Controller General, who Is an agent Of
Congress and not of the Executive.
Awaits Change.
"I think the best policy is to sus-
pend the entire operation now with
view to a complete reorganization Of
the Government by the new admins
tration. I favor Government reorgan'
ization, no matter who it hurts, II saV.
ings can be obtained. The hnal tes'
of any program is the amount OF re-
ductions brought about in Federal eX'
penditures."
The Presidents program also has
been under consideration by the Sen
Senator Hiram Bingham, Republican
of Connecticut is chairman, but nc
indication has been given that action
will be taken on it in the upper orancn
of Congress- Conferences between Sen
ate and House leaders have disclosed
a tendency in the Senate to let the
House deal with the program, at least
at the present time.
One factor initiating against action
on the program now was the testimony
before the House committee by j
Clawson Roop. Director of the Budget
who drafted the economy details fol
Mr.. Hoover. Col. Roop said his per-
sonal opinion was that the reorganiza-
ton should be left to the next admin
istration.