Evening star., 1938-03-31

vent the slightest change which
seeks greater efficiency.
Action in Several States.
Several States have put into ef-
feet reorganization of their de-
partments. These changes have
resulted in some economy. But
chiefly these reorganizations in
State governments have increased
the efficiency of these State gov
ernments to very marked extent.
That result is what we seek in the
bill now before the Congress.
4. You know that when over a
year ago I recommended a reor-
ganization bill to the Congress all
parties and all factions agreed on
the need for such measure. You
know, too, that year later a care
fully manufactured partisan and
political opposition to any reor-
ganization had created a political
issue-created it deliberately out
of whole cloth.
S. The opposition has planted
bogies under every bed. 1t was
said, for example, that the work of
the Army Engineers was 10 be
= abolished, in spite of the fact that
Congress, and the Congress alone,
can determine who will do river
and harbor dredging and build
flood control levees. 1t is charged
that the splendid work Of the
forestry services Is to be ham,
strung-hamstrung, suppose, by
the best friend forestry ever had
In the United States.
1t is charged that the extremely
efficient Veterans Bureau, or the
excellent Railroad Mediation Board
is to be damaged beyond repair.
I cite these merely as examples of
a score Of equally silly nightmares
conjured up at the instigation
either of those who would restore
the Government to those who
owned it between 1921 and 1888,
or those who for one reason or
another seek deliberately to wreck
the present administration Of the
Government of the United States.
Congressional Approval.
s. One point remains: There are
those who honestly believe that
every minor change. every minor
detail Of conducting the business of
the administrative branch Of the
Government. should receive in
effect a positive congressional ap-
proval before such changes 60 into
effect.
The bill in its present form makes
the executive orders relating to
such changes-and most of them
are minor, subject to disapproval by
the Congress within so days by
joint resolution. Let me state to
you categorically that If such
joint resolution were passed by the
Congress, disapproving an order, I
would. in the overwhelming major
ity Of cases, go along with carefully
considered congressional action.
can think of no cases where
the President would not gladly yield
to a clear expression of congress
sional opinion.
Two Cogent Reasons.
But there are two cogent reasons
why the bill should 60 through as
it Is now drawn. The first is the
constitutional question involved in
the passage of concurrent resolu-
ton. which is only an expression
of congressional sentiment. Such
resolution cannot repeal executive
action taken in pursuance of a law.
The second is the very remote
possibility that some legislative
situation might possibly arise IN
the future where the President
would feel obligated to veto joint
resolution of the Congress and
properly require a two-thirds vote
to override his Veto
I repeat that I visualize no such
possibility between now and 1910,
when the authority given is to end.
Thus you will see that charges
of dictatorship are made out of
whole cloth-even If I wanted to be
dictator, which, heavens knows,
do not.
With every good wish,
Always sincerely,
(Signed)