Evening star., 1932-01-09
Merger of Bureaus Indorsed,
But Obstacles Recognized

Reorganization of the bureaus of the
Federal Government, as proposed by
President Hoover, Is widely advocated in
the interest of economy and efficiency
of the service, but there is a general
belief that the undertaking is sure to
meet with many obstacles in political
circles.
"The Presidents proposal is probably
the most constructive plan for the re-
duction Of the costs Of Government yet
put FORTH" in the opinion of the Port
Huron Times Herald, which sees in it
"a movement in the direction of real
business management in the business of
government" The Topeka Daily Capital
states that this simplification process
has been a recommendation of Presi-
dents for 20 years, and perhaps longer" "
and holds that President Hoover is to
be credited with offering an explicit
plan to Congress to put it into effect"
Recalling similar efforts in New York
State, the Schenectady Gazette says
1T took aggressive action on the part
of Gov. Smith for a long tine before
he was able to effect a reorganization
OF our State government 1t is well
that President Hoover is taking the lead
in forcing demand for similar action at
Wsshington-only in that way are we
likely to see anything accomplished in
years"
Much good can be brought about in
the near future, so a thorough Whet-
ting of the pruning knife is in order" "
thinks the Hartford Times. while the
Charlotte Observer, commenting that
the President was never more practical
than in this suggestion" advises that
If Congress wants to do something for
the good of the Nation, it will put the
Presidents suggestions into effect in
short order"
Reorganization is viewed by the Bal
timore Sun as "one of the things that
deserve to be encouraged in the interest
OF efficiency, but about which it is i'm
possible to work up any great enthu-
SiaSm on the score Of economy" Re-
viewing major undertakings of the sort
in the last 10 years, the Sun concludes:
From this record of consultations and
reorganizations effected under Mr.. Hoo
Ver's inspiration It would appear that
he is deluding himself with false hopes
when ne expects further steps in re-
organization to result in economies. The
plain fact is that economy in govern
ment requires no complicated formulas
of reorganization and no extensive re-
grouping of public facilities. 1t re-
quires simply the will to eliminate use
less expenditures and cut down on 9TH
ers. That will has not been very much
in evidence in the policies and decisions
of the Hoover administration. Whether
the Democrats will have more stomach
to face the issue directly remains to be
disclosed, but If they fail there is not
much to be expected in the way of say
ing in the near future"
StreSsing the Presidents responsible
ity for some commissions, the ST. Louis
Times asserts: Special commissions
have come to be recognized as a most
convenient device for executives to shift
the delicate responsibility of taking a
positive stand upon an issue. There are
probably now living in st. Louis at
least few citizens who can remem-
Der when this device has been employ
ed somewhat extensively by some Pres
ident to take up this, that and the
other thing. The Wickersham Com
mission, for example. Let's See-What
President named that commission, any
way?"
Consolidation at Washington" AYERS
the youngstown Vindicator, goes as
hard against the grain as county gov
ernment does in the States The Vim
dicator also comments: The President
calling for consolidation of overlapping
branches of Government, the Vice Presi-
dent demanding the elimination of
waste, and the Secretary of the Interior
emphatic in his disapproval of bureau
cracy, apparently believe that what
ought to be done can be done. Their
view is not shared by Representative
Wood Of Indiana, former chairman of
the House Appropriations Committee.
All these bureaus have friends in
Congress and outside" according to the
Cincinnati Times-Star, which concludes
that what Congress does, in a time
when retrenchments are imperative.
will afford an acid test of it's sincerity ,"
There will be opposition to the
plan," states the Oakland Tribune, "as
there has been in the past, for it will
mean the loss of authority by certain
officials. On the other hand, each item
will save to the people of the country
large sum at time when q deficit