The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-27
Il LITTLE WASH|NGTONS' IN
KEY CITIES OF NATION ARE
URGED BY CABINET OFFICERS
Program Is Advocated to
Simplify Functions of
Government.
By United Press

~ Jnifcd PFfss
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81
Administration officials today
considered establishing Lit
tie Washingtons" in 10 or II
cities throughout the country
to simplify and accelerate the
complicated functions of the
Federal government.
The plan was proposed to Presi-
dent Roosevelt by four Cabinet Of
flcers. It provides for concentra-
ton Of departmental field offices in
the "sub-capitols' to administer af-
fairs in their surrounding areas.
The tentatively selected cities and
their areas of jurisdiction, would be:
Boston, New England; New York,
Eastern; Knoxville or Nashville,
Ozark Appalachian; Atlanta, South
ern; New orleans, Gulf Coast; Chi
cago, Midwestarn; Portland, Pacific
Northwest; San Francisco, Pacific
Southwest; Denver, Intermountain
or Great Plains, or both Salt Lake
City also was suggested for the In
termountain area, with either Bis
marck or Omaha for the great plains
region.
Cincinnati was suggested for the
Ohio Valley; st. Paul, CT Duluth or
some other city in that section for
the Great Lakes forest and cut-over
region. The number of territories
might be increased to 16 or 13.
Economy Is Advanced
The action was proposed by Secre-
tary of Interior Harold L. Ickes as
chairman of the National Resources
Committee, Secretary Of Agriculture
Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Com
merce Daniel C. Roper and Secre-
tary of Labor Frances Perkins, board
members.
Secretary Of War George H. Dern
was in the Philippines when the re-
port was being considered. Relief
Administrator Harry L. Hopkins,
Frederic A. Delano, Charles E. Mer-
RAM and Wesley G. Mitchell were
other SignerS.
The committee pointed out that
its members and other departmental
heads now have the country broken
into 1913 different arrangements of
districts for administration of their
field work.
But there are distinct advantages
in economy of time and effort in
directing those organizations more
sharply toward some simpler frame
work" he report said.
Entire Nation Surveyed
with concentration of their field
headquarters the establishment of
10 or IL somewhat unified regional
agencies of the United States gov
eminent could be made to coincide
with the state regional secretariats
now developing, and might serve as
centerS for regional or Subnational
planning agencies"
The committee, after a survey of
planning activities in the whole
country, said that enough is known
now to begin on the nationwide Sc
lection of centerS, at least in a ten
tative way.
additional work is necessary in
analyzing and mapping the func-
tional areas, the distribution of
problems and projects, the relation
ship to field offices, state capitols,
and universities and state colleges,
and in checking tentative selections
with the Federal and state agencies
and executives"
Coal Board May Move
Another contemplated removal of
Federal authority from Washing
} ton, it was learned, is the expected
removal of the National BituminouS
Coal Commission.
The. commission, which is admin
istering the Guffey soft coal code,
is increasing its personnel rapidly
and has been unable to find office
space in Washington. 1t now has
1876 employees and may soon increase
the number to 400 or more.
Possibilities of Pittsburgh, Gin
cinnati and Charleston, w. Va, are
being investigated as sites. Any of
these, it was said, would bring the
commission closer to the coal fields
and facilitate the numerous hear
ings on code authorities.