Evening star., 1938-03-04
DEFIANCE Of LAWS
LAID TO TREASURY
Controller Generals Office,
Reorganizing Fight Center,
Makes Charge.
BACRGROUND-

bAI n IHoON NJ
Legislation to reorodnize admin
istrdttUe departments OF Federal
Government is one OF major reform
measures sponsored By inner circle
at White House. Encountering
bitter opposition at first mention
bill WGs rithheld from considerd-
ton during short special session last
JAIL but showdown is expected IN
present term OF Congress.
The controller generals office. storm
center of Senate debate over the Gov
ernment reorganization bill. reported
to Congress today that the Treasury
has "steadfastly refused" to comply
with existing law regarding outstand-
ing Federal checks.
The report, distributed to men,
bers of Congress. said the law requires
the Treasury deposit in a trust fund
account amounts of outstanding
checks not presented for payment
within full fiscal year after the year
in which they were issued.
The report asserted that despite re-
peated urging by the General Ac-
counting Office the Treasury had de-
clined to follow that course.
In all, opponents of the reorganiza-
ton bill obtained new source of am
munitiOn from a list of 100 cases in
which the Controller General accused
Government agencies of illegal con-
tracts and expenditures"
The Controller Generals Once.
which would be abolished by the legis-
lation now being debated in the SEN
ate, sent the report to Congress as
routine matter, it was said.
Senator Byrd. Democrat, of Virginia
and others, however, were expected to
seize on it as proof of their conten-
ton that the Controllers office affords
needed check on how bureaus spend
the money Congress gives them.
One group of the listed cases was
said to involve about 81. 900 900.
Meanwhile, Senator Brynes. Demo-
crat. of South Carolina, in charge of
the reorganization bill, vigorously de-
tended on the Senate floor the pro.
vision for appointment of single
administrator to replace the Civil
Service Commission.
Answers Walsh Attack.
Answering the attack on this part
OF the bill several days ago by Senator
walsh, Democrat, of Massachusetts,.
Senator Brynes said it is not a new
plan, but was recommended to Con-
gress by former President Hoover. He
said it also had been advocated in
the past by former Civil Service Com
Campbell and by the Civil
Service Reform League.
Minority Leader McNary asked Sem
ator Byrnes to quote Mr. Hoovers
and he promised to do 50
later.
Senator Byrnes said seven States
have adopted the one-man admins
tration plan Of civil service in the
last two years. He listed them as
Wisconsin, California, New
Jersey, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine
and Tennessee.
Contention Of Walsh.
Senator Walsh asserted that Stree
the plan was adopted in Tennessee not
a single examination has been held
He asked Senator McKellar of Ten
nesSee If that was correct, and the
latter indicated it was. Senator
Byrnes replied that the trouble Is not
with the Tennessee law.
Senator McKellar declared the Ten
nessee law, passed in 1895, prohibited
appointment of members of the Legis-
lature to certain positions. but he said
1t had not been followed.
Meanwhile, Senator Borah. Repub-
lican. of Idaho said he would offer an
to the reorganization bill
TO limit the Presidents authority to
abolish Federal agencies
Authority Under Measure. i
Under the measure as written the
President could abolish, reorganize or
merge most Government agencies by
order. |
Senator Borah said he did not OBJ
ect to revamping of agencies by the
President. but that the abolition of any
existing Government functions should
'emain "a matter for Congress to de.
:ide."
The Senate is approaching the end
If the first week of debate on the bill,
with action on many amendments not
1et in sight. Allowing for Interruptions
oy other pressing business. which
;ook up part Of this week, 1t may be
another 10 days or more before a
showdown will be reached on major
'hanges being urged by determined
'roup on both ~ Of the aisle.