Evening star., 1932-11-27

snce or even extension, of the Federal
work relief program.
A second phase of the economy drive
will revolve around the demand for re-
duction of expenditures of the Veterans
Administration. The Chamber of Com
merce has asked for the elimination Of
about S400, ,000,0 annually, most of it
alleged to be paid out for relief of vet
Grams on account of ailments not con-
nected with war service. The National
Economy League is asking a similar cut
of $3.50, 0,000,0 600. During the campaign
President Hoover said such cut could
not be made without injustice to the
veterans.
Hearings on the various plans for re-
organizing the whole scheme Of vet
erans' compensation will be begun just
before Congress assemblies, December S,
by Special Joint Committee of Con-
gress. The clash of economy advocates
and veterans organizations at these
Of the hardest fought congressional bat
ties Of recent times.
A third and last phase of the economy
drive Is the plan for reorganization Of
the Government, which President
Hoover is expected to submit to Con-
gress shortly after its convening, under
authority conferred on him by the
economy act of last session. A report
to form the basis of this plan has been
In preparation by subordinates all Sum-
mer, but final action presumably has
been delayed by the exigencies OF the
recent political campaign.
Nothing is known Of the plan, even
in general way, but it is safe to say
that If it fails to recommend actual
abolishment of considerable number
of oxziet aad
services, as well as a reorganization, it
will accomplish little in net economies
There is ample room for reorganization
of the Government in the interest of
increased efficiency, but the economies
to be obtained in this way alone, ac-
cording to the best congressional au-
thorities, are not impressive. If the
President does not recommend the abol-
ishment of bureaus and services, that is
when the fun will begin.
No Curtailment of Functions.
In all the long history of the Federal
Government, there has never been an
actual curtailment of its functions. Its
history is one of continuous, almost con-
tinual, growth. There have been con-
solidations In which one bureau has lost
its identity by merger with another, as
in the case of the recent merger of the
Pension Bureau with the Veterans Bu-
reau. But always, as in that case, the
net result was an increased expenditure
of Federal funds, instead of a net saw
ing. Never has there been an outright
discontinuance of any Federal Govern
ment service.
Balanced against this traditional in
ertia in the present instance, however,
is the unprecedented public demand for
economy. backed by an acute emergency
need for reduced Government costs. In
the coming session, with the Treasury
deficit for the fiscal year already crowd
ing S700, 900 900, Congress well may find
itself faced with the alternative Of max
ing real economies or enacting another
heavy tax increase. The necessities of
the situation may force real retrench-
ment.
Usually a short session Of Congress
does little more than enact the regular
annual supply bills. The problems
dumped into the lap of the coming ses-
sion promise at least to make 1t one
of the most extraordinary of recent
times. Probably much Of the economy
drive really will not come to head
until the special session, sure to be
called under the Democratic admins
tration after March 4.
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