Evening star., 1932-12-07
HOOVER DRAFTS
| | MERGER ORDERS
viii Transmit Them, With
Word of Explanation, to
Congress This Week.

President Hoover today applied fin
ishing touches to executive orders which
he viii send to Congress to effect sweep
ing reorganization of the Federal Gov
eminent for greater economy.
While Mr.. Hoover has studied this
subject for long time, it has only been
during the past few weeks that he has
actually drafted executive orders for
wholesale consolidation and grouping of
various executive and administrative
activities and complete abolishment of
other activities. He has conferred on
the matter with his cabinet several
times recently and also with the d.
rector Of the budget to get their views
on his general reorganization scheme.
The greatest secrecy has been MAIN
tanned as to the complete plan, how
ever, although the Presidents general
idea Is well known.
so Days Must Elapse.
In his annual message to Congress
yesterday President Hoover said he
would, within the next few days, pre-
sent necessary executive orders under
the recent act authorizing reorganiza-
tion of the Federal Government. He Is
convinced it will produce substantial
economies. This authority, however
makes it necessary for the President to
present reorganization executive orders
to Congress where they must lie for go
days, before becoming effective. It was
intimated at the White House that the
President has nearly completed this
task and that orders with an accom-
panying statement of explanation will
be transmitted to the Capitol by Satur-
day.
Mr.. Hoover In his message yesterday
discussed need for reorganization and
said he intended to send some so such
executive orders. Whether he Will
transmit these so at the same time was
not ascertaiped.
Despite secrecy as to specific reor-
ganization plans, 1t is known the
Presidents primary object will be to
group executive and administrative
functions under a single head. His
general plan maintains that 10 major
executive departments and the major
regulatory and financial boards and
commissions should be maintained. But
to bring about proper grouping and
amalgamations so as to effectively pre-
vent duplication Of effort and to elimi-
nate wasteful overlapping of authority,
sary to authorize changes In titles of
some officials and to create q few new
positions in order to permit grouping
and consolidation not now possible.
New Posts Proposed.
In this connection, the President
recently pointed out that with enormous
growth of governmental business there
has been great expansion and diffusion
of authority among minor officials. while
there is an insufficient number Of ON
cials with definite responsibility to the
public. He contends the additional ex-
pense Of such officers over and above
salaries now paid officials who would be
displaced, would be less than $4,000 a
year. He believes the saving in cost
of administration will be many times
that sum. According to recommends
tion made to Congress during the last
session, the most important of the posts
Of this character are:
Public works administrator, new
office: personnel administrator, a change
of title from chairman Of the Civil
Service Commission; assistant secretary
of Public Health, a new office; Assist
ant Secretary. for Education, change
of title from commissioner; Assistant
Secretary for Merchant Marine, new
ONCE; Assistant Secretary for Conser-
vation, new office; Assistant Secretary
for Agriculture Research, a change Of
title from President, and Assistant Sec
retary for Agriculture Economics, a
change from the title of director.
The establishment of an Assistant
Secretary Of Merchant Marine would
confirm other proposals In which the
President recommended taking away
merchant marine activities from the
Shipping Board.
The Public Works Administration
would be partially service agency to
other departments. executing certain
construction work.
The Personnel Administration would
comprise various agencies relating to
the personnel Of the Government as
service agency to all departments Of the
Government. He would broaden func-
tions Of the reclamation service and
conservation Of the Western ranges.
Besides relegating the Shipping Board
to a merely regulatory body without ad-
ministrative functions, 1t Is not yet
known Just what other independent
agencies the President will virtually
wipe out in his complete reorganization
plans.