Evening star., 1938-03-31

During the past 10 days the
President received comparatively
few letters and kilograms relating
to the reorganization bill now pend
ing in the Congress. The pros and
cons were about equally divided.
The smallness OF the number
compared with the flood Of tele-
grams sent to members of the
Senate is proof positive that the
campaign against the reorganiza-
ton bill was the result of Or
ganized effort on the part OF politi-
cal or special self-interest groups,
because during the past five years,
where there were real questions Of
public policy at issue, the Presi-
dents mail was flooded with letters
and kilograms on both sides Of the
question, sent by citizens who COM
municated with the President
voluntarily rather than as the re-
suit OF a propaganda campaign.
To letter from q friend received
a few days ago, the President has
replied in the letter which follows.
The name Of the correspondent is
purposely withheld because he did
not write for publicity purposes.
Presidents Letter.
The letter Of the President fol-
lows:
Warm Springs, March 20, 1898.
My dear:
Many thanks for your letter tell
ing me that you are concerned over
the charges in several newspapers
that the reorganization bill, now
before Congress, would make me a
dictator.
l. AS you we'll know, I am as
much opposed to an American
dictatorship as you are, for three
simple reasons:
(a). I have no inclination to be q
dictator.
(b). I have none of the qualifica-
tions which would make me a sue
cessful dictator.
(c). have too much historical
background and too much knowl-
edge Of existing relationships to
make me desire any form of
relationships for q democracy like
the United States of America.
2. The reorganization bill now
before the Congress is the culmina-
ton of an effort starting over 40
years ago to make the business
end. e., the executive branch of
the Federal Government, more
business-like and more efficient.
Seven or eight of my immediate
predecessors in the presidency have
recommended similar reorganiza-
ton measures.
Two Reorganizing Methods.
There are two methods of effect
ing a business-like reorganization.
1t can be done by complex and
detailed legislation by the Con-
gress going into every one of the
hundreds Of bureaus in the execu-
tive department and other agencies.
Or it can be done by giving to
the President as Chief Executive
authority to make certain ad-
justments and reorganizations by
executive order, subject to over
riding of these executive orders by
the Congress itself.
I would have been wholly willing
to 60 along with the first method,
but attempts at detailed reorgani-
zation by the Congress itself have
failed many times in the past, and
every responsible member of the
Senate or the House is in agree
ment that detailed reorganization
by the Congress is a practicable
impossibility.
We come, therefore, to the sec
ond Neutrality-suspicious. by
executive order, subject to over
riding by the Congress.
3. In any reorganization you will
realize, I am sure, that If it
changes existing administrative
set-ups. consolidates jobs or makes
other kinds of savings, either from
the point of view of cost or from
the point Of view of bureaucratic
authority. such changes are bitterly
fought by those who stand to lose
some authority and by those who
are so welded to existing practices
that they 60 to any length to pre-