The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-04-09
BUREAU BILL DEFEAT
STUNS NEW DEAL

SlUNS NEW DEAL
Continued from page onc)
heels of stirring appeal by Ma
iority Leader Sam Rayburn, d.,
Texas, who asked his colleagues
to give the president "a vote OF
confidence" by passing the meas
ure.
LEADERS SAY DEFEAT
REPUTATION FOR F.D.R. "
Another appeal was made by
Speaker William B. Bankhead, d.,
Ala, who said that "say what you
please, this bill has. been jockcyed
into position where a vote to
recommit is a Reputation of con-
fidenGe in the president and the
Democratic. party"
Both leaders had taken the
floor in a final effort to marshal
administration strength in what at
first, appeared to be certain VIC
tory after they had defeated an
opposition attempt to strike out
provision which would have given
the president control over the
watchdog of the treasury the
comptroller general.
The, houses action killed all pos
Sibility of the bills reconsidera-
ton this session. Opponents
pointed out that it was very UNI
likelv that the administration
would attempt to revive 1t at the
next session in January, 1889, be-
cause its enactment would then
come too late to give the preSl-
dent sufficient time to effect re-
organization.
THOUSANDS PROTEST
MEASURE. BACK HOME 49,.
Inspired by thousands of let
tiers of protest from back home.
the opposition bloc fought the
measure steadily during five days
of general debate and two days
of reading amendments. charging
it would give Mr.. Roosevelt die
tatorial powers, destroy the Amer
lean form of democratic govern
ment and endangcr the civil serv-
ice system.
The senate passed its version of
the measure March 2S, by a
seven.vote margin after three
weeks of heated debate which left
the measures fate uncertain I'M
til the last minute.
Among the measures staunch-
est opponents was Frank Gannett,
newspaper publisher and head of
the league to uphold constitution
al government. Dr.. Edward A.
Rumely, secretary Of the organi-
cation, was threatened with a
contempt citation because he re-
fused to divulge data demanded
by the senate lobby investigating
committee. :.
In denying the dictatorship
charges the president, in Warm
Springs, Ca, at the time, made
public a letter to an unnamed
friend in which he said he was
not constitutionally suited to be a
dictator. !
He said at press conference
earlier that the senate's passage
of the bill "proved that the sem
ate can not be purchased by or
ganized kilograms based on direct
Misrepresentation" !
He, referred to thousands OF /
kilograms which deluged senator's
on the eve of the vote on passage. !
Thousands more were received by
house members when they took !,
up the bill five days ago. |
If enacted, the bill would have
given the president sweeping pow
ers to "streamfine" the executive !
department by reorganizing, con-
solidating and transferring Vari.. !
Gus agencies in the interest OF /
economy and administration. |
1t would have given him au-
thority to appoint six "anonyni- /
Gus" administrative assistants at
annual salaries of $4,000 each
and created department of well
fare to promote health, sanitation,
and unemployment relief.
COMPTROLLER GENERAL
LOSS WAS MAIN ISSUE /
The hottest fight conferred
around provision which would
have set uD an office of auditor
general with post-auditing powers
over government expenditures,
stripping the comptroller general
of much of his present power.
.Dissension also arose over a
section which would have ABOLISH
ed the present bipartisan civil.
service board for single admin.
iStrator.
The recommital motion was IN
PRODUCED by Representative John
Taber, R., N. Y, opposition lead.