Evening star., 1932-02-25
Cabinet Member Not Co.
operating With Congress,
Cochran Declares.
REFERS TO PRESIDENTS
STATEMENT OF THANKS
Secretary Declines to Discuss De-
partment of Public Works
Bill.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Chairman Cochran told the House
Expenditures Committee today that
Secretary of War Hurley had refused
to testify on pending bill for a De-
partment of Public Works He criti-
cized the cabinet officer for lack of CO.
operation" with Congress.
President Hoover thanks us for CO.
operating in his consolidation plan and
then Secretary Hurley refuses to come
up here and testify" Cochran said. "I
think the committee should 60 ahead
without reference to desires of cabinet
officers involved"
Before Cochran made that sugges-
ton, Representative Schafer, Republi-
can, Of Wisconsin, moved that the COM
mittee directly invite Hurley to testify.
The original invitation was for the Sec
retary either to come personally or
send representative.
Il make the motion, Mr. Chairman"
Schafer said, that we request the Sec
retary Of War to come up here himself.
To hell with him"
Reads Hurley's Letter.
Hurley had explained in a letter
which Cochran read that the War De-
partment opposed some portions of the
pending bills and had already expressed
its opinion.
Also, Hurley wrote, at Is believed the
recommendations for the reorganiza-
ton of the executive departments con-
tanned in the Presidents message of
February II are far superior to the pro-
poSalS contained In the two bills under
consideration, and would II enacted
into law, accomplish the desired end
much more effectively"
Then the Secretary said:
1T is, therefore, believed unnecessary
to submit any further statement in
the matter as requested in your letter
OF February 20, or to present any wit
nesses to represent the War Depart
ment before the committee"
Delighted" Hoover Says.
President Hoover yesterday acquiesced
pleasantly to the Democratic determin-
alton that Congress shall do the econ
omy reorganizing Of Government activi-
ties, but he sticks to the belief be could
do it better.
In a formal statement the Chief
Executive expressed delight that Con-
greSs was getting active about the sub
ject. but pointed out that FOR as years
1t had been trying to do some effective
reorganizing without success, always
running up against too great opposi-
tion. He conceded that the present
"transcendent need for economy gave
more hope that something would be
accomplished.
1t is because of past failures, he said.
that he continues to believe the power
Of reorganization should be lodged with
the President. This the Democratic
controlled House has refused fatty to
do. Mr.. Hoover made no mention what
ever OF Speaker Gamers sharply criti-
cal statement last Sunday, refusing to
give blanket authority to Mr. Hoover,
questioning his motives in asking for it
and upbraiding the Republicans for try
ing to claim all the credit accruing from
the reign OF cooperation in Congress.
The Presidents statement was timed
to follow yesterdays announcement by
the Speaker of the personnel of the
Democratic Economy Committee, which
will report reorganization plans by
April 15
Mr.. Hoover had an indirect slap at
the Democratic plan to merge the War
and Navy Departments in his assertion
that it is difhcult Job to effect con-
solidations and additions so wisely as
not to injure the morale of our Army
and Navy and other essential Govern
ment services"
The Presidents statement follows:
II am delighted that the Congress is
earnestly taking up the reorganization
of the Federal machinery. will be
entirely happy if my repeated messages
to the Congress on the subject succeed
in securing action in an effective
fashion.
1T is a most unpleasant task to abol-
iSh boards and bureaus and to con-
solidate others, and at the same time
it is difficult job to do 1t so wisely
as not to injure the efficiency and
morale of our Army and Navy and
other essential Government services.
Congress has attempted repeatedly
in the last IS years to effect reorgani-
cations and has always abandoned the
efforts under multitude of opposi-
tionS. My suggestion for the past five
years has been that the responsibility
should be lodged with the Executive
with the right of Congress to review
the actions taken.
t. of course, continue to entertain
that belief, because of the failures OF
the past, and believe results would
be most expeditiously and efficiently
accomplished if responsibility is lodged
with some one to do it.
There is more hope now than here
tofore that Congress will act because
of the transcendent need for economy.
The large number Of investigations and
reports which have been made over
the last 25 years furnish the material
and advice necessary for rapid action.
I hope 1t will be done with such ex-
pedition as to give prompt relief to
the taxpayers"