Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-01-09
No REORGANIZATION.


No Reorganization.
The Democrats of the House Com.
mittee on Expenditures in the Executive
Departments today reported agains
President Hoover's plan for the reorgan'
ization of the Government, contained
in fifty-eight executive orders sent tc
Congress in accordance with the law
This action had been foreshadoweo
practically since the receipt Of the re-
port. Indeed, it was foreshadowec
when the present Congress in the las,
session passed the law authorizing
the President to go ahead with re.
organization of the Government and
tied a string to the grant OF author
ity. Either house of Congress may pre-
vent the reorganization by the adoption
of resolution disappearing it. The
Democratic majority OF the Committee
on Expenditures is now asking that the
Presidents plan be rejected.
In the majority report on the reso-
luton, which will be presented by
Chairman Cochran, 1t is urged that
the Hoover plan for reorganization does
not go far enough and effect economies,
and at the same time the report critii-
cizes some of the proposed consolida-
lions. One of the features of the plan
presented by President Hoover looks to
the consolidation Of all public works.
This proposal Immediately aroused op-
position in Congress, as well as In the
bureaus and departments affected. Yet
this is one Of the most far-reaching and
effective recommendations contained in
the Hoover reorganization plan. As Mr..
Hoover has pointed out. no other Gov
eminent of q large country fails to
place all of its construction work in
one department.
The Democrats also declare that on
the eve of the inauguration of President
elect Roosevelt and the incoming of a
new administration it would not be wise
to permit the reorganizations proposed
by the retiring President, but that the
whole matter should be turned over to
Mr.. Roosevelt. If the Congress cannot
indorse the reorganization plan of Mr..
Hoover, which it is now complained is
too mild, what may be expected from
the Congress If Mr.. Roosevelt should
bring In drastic plan? True, it is now
proposed-and there is much glib talk
ing in connection with the proposal
that Roosevelt be given the powers of a
dictator to deal with the Government
departments and bureaus In the interest
CT governmental economy. The Demo-
cratic members of Congress are saying
that only by such q course will it be
possible for the Government ever to
be recognized in the interest Of
economy. That in itself Is a sad COM
mentary on the Congress. It will be
extremely surprising to those who have
watched the progress" Of governmental
reorganization, however, II Mr.. Roose-
welt is ever given such wide authority
without q Joker" In the law which
would enable Congress to veto such re-
organizations as it does not like. A big
step viii have been taken toward actual
reorganization, provided, of course, Mr..
Roosevelt takes advantage of the power
accorded him. His advisers insist that
Mr.. Roosevelt would cut to the bone.
That very fact is making some of the
members Of Congress less willing to
authorize the President-elect to 70
siashing in the Government depart
mentS without restraint.
The wise and statesmanlike way of
dealing with the question of reorgan-
ization would be to accept the Hoover
plan and then to let Roosevelt 20 fur
Their and improve on it If possible. The
Democrats, however, prefer to ditch
all Government reorganization at the
present session Of the Congress. If they
ditch 1t now, their action will not and
cannot be interpreted as auguring well
for reorganization in the next Congress.