Evening star., 1937-01-13
Reorganization

CONTINUED From First Page.)
Senate suggested yesterday that a
Joint committee of the two houses be
created and empowered to make a
final draft of the legislation and re-
port back to their respective bodies.
Robinson agreed that the actual
work of consolidation is executive in
character and that the authority to
put the various suggested steps into
effect should be vested in the Presi-
dent.
ANY effort to impose the work on
Congress will result in confusion nu-
merous conflicts of opinion and in
all probability failure" he said.
To draft the legislation, the Senate
leader continued, will not be difficult.
especially if the Presidents Commit
tee on Reorganization, headed by Louis
Brownlow, and the legislative counsel
get together.
Proposals Stun Capital.
The sweeping nature of the changes
proposed by the committee and
whole -heartedly indorsed by the Pres
ident-entailing the creation OF two
new departments and the split up of
approximately 95 independent agen-
cies in the IL major divisions that
thus would be created-was stunning
in its effect over the Capital.
Going far beyond anything ever be-
fore proposed in the reorganization
schemes that have bobbed up over
the years, the contemplated shifts
were certain in many instances to stir
bitter opposition both inside and out
side the Government.
Republican leadership in Senate
and House made plans to caucus, once
the administration bill is introduced,
in an attempt to unite opposition. and
on some points, certainly, they will
derive strength from the majority
party.
Tomorrow morning the Senate Com
mittee on Reorganization, headed by
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia,
will meet at 1890 o'clock to receive
the first report Of the Brookings Insti-
W1llCll ICC14 NAOAl16 VAC 4oNO-
finding for this group. Byrd indicated
the first item to be taken up is the
money-lending agencies, which has
been one of his particular targets since
he started months ago to demand re-
trenchment all along the Federal line
Byrd Is at Variance.
Byrd, who is prepared to demand
outright abandonment of certain
functions, finds himself at variance
with the President on this point, and
also on the proposal to abolish the
Office of controller general. throwing
auditing duties under the Treasury
and centering more ON post-audit pro-
cedure than on the pre-audit plan
now in vogue.
MY views have been frequently ex-
pressed to the effect that we already
have too many departments. boards
and bureaus, and that there is ample
opportunity to systematic the pres
ent Government by abolishing unnec-
essary agencies and merging others
into existing agencies" the Virginia
Senator said in statement late yes
terday after scanning the Presidents
reorganization plan.
Full consideration also should be
given to the fact that the two new
departments proposed will have
grouped within their set-up present
emergency spending agencies such as
public works and relief, and this Is
In effect recognizing such activities
as permanent Federal obligations.
"A mere regrouping of agencies
does not mean either simplification
or economy.
"The same bureau heads will have
the same authority. What we need
Is a drastic overhauling of the Gov
ernment the elimination of every
useless agency and to coordinate a
balanced and businesslike organiza-
ton without expanding the present
governmental structure"
Savings Not Estimated.
Under the Presidents plan no esti-
mate Of any saving was made, al
though an arbitrary figure Of $780,
100000 annually was set up, based
on the experience Of States which
have gone in for functional regroup-
ing. This $30,000 900 represents
per cent of the $4,000. .000, 900. annual
expenditure for overhead, which the
administration contends is the sole
source of savings. The other $4,000,-
100000 yearly outlay by Government
~ay,rocoptc r1,ch c0.calIad irrpducih1o
items as pensions and the like.
Byrd said he would support grant
to the President Of power to re-group
agencies within q framework very
carefully considered" by Congress.
The Virginia Senator's attitude on
the controller generalship is simply
q reflection Of that often In evidence
In Congress in the past when former