The Washington times., 1937-11-15

machinery which will enable
industries throughout the coun-
try to adjust themselves pro-
gressively to better labor condi-
tions. But we must not forget
that no policy of flexibility will
be practical unless a coordi-
mating agency has the obliga-
ton of inspection and investiga-
ton to ensure the recognition
and enforcement of what the
law requires.
Although there are geographic
and industrial diversities which
practical craftsmanship cannot
well ignore, it is high time that
we had legislation relating to
goods moving in or competing
with interstate commerce which
will accomplish two immediate
purposes:
First, Danish child labor and
protect workers unable to pro-
tect themselves from excessively
low wages and excessively long
hours.
Second, end the unsound prac-
tice of some communities-by
no means confined to any one
section of the country-which
seek new industries by offering
as the principal attraction labor
more plentiful and much
cheaper than may be found in
competing communities. To
them the Congress should re-
iterate the oft-repeated pledge Of
political parties that labor is lot
mere commodity.
Last January I presented for
the consideration of the Con-
gress the improvement Of ad-
ministrative management in the
executive branch of the govern
ment. Five principal objectives
were outlined:
(a) To create one or more
additional departments and to
give the Chief Executive author
ity to arrange all present and
future strictly executive activi-
ties in or under regular execu-
tive departments.
(b) To establish a budget and
efficiency agency, a personnel
agency and a planning agency
through which the Chief Execu-
tive may coordinate the execu-
tive functions.
"(c) To permit the Chief Ex-
ecutive to make a slight increase
in the White House staff so
that he may keep in close touch
with, and maintain knowledge
Of the widespread affairs Of ad-
ministration which. require his
final direction.
"(d) To establish account.
ability of the Executive to the
Congress by providing a genuine
independent audit by an officer
solely responsible to the Con-
gress, who will, however, have
no administrative part in the
transactions he audits and GER
titles.
"(e) To extend the merit
system upward, outward and
downward to cover practically
all nonpolicy determining posts.
1 am giving consideration to
proposed Executive orders ex-
tending the merit principle Of
selection under the authority
vested in me by the Constitu-
tion and Revised Statutes. EX-
ecutive orders, however, have
not the permanence of law; they
will not lessen the need for
permanent legislation on this
subject in connection with re-
organization. I, therefore, seek
a statutory modernized ma
chinery for the permanent en-
forcement of merit principles
in appointment, promotion, and
personnel management through
out the Government service.
The experience of States and
municipalities definitely proves
that reorganization of govern
ment along the lines of modern
business administrative practice
can increase efficiency, minimize
error, duplication and waste, and
raise the morale Of the public
service. But that experience
does not prove, and no person
conversant with the manage