Milford chronicle., 1938-04-29
ECONOMIC HIGHLICHTS
HAPPENINGS THAT AFFECT THE DINNER
PANS, DIVIDEND CHECKS AND TAX
Bills OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL
National and International Problems
IHSfbaTable from Local WSifaFe

BILLS OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL
National and International Problems
IHSfbaTabIe from Local WSifaNe
The Administrations government
al reorganization bill has produced
the biggest and most important di-
vergence of public and congressional
opinion since the Supreme Court re-
organization plan. An in the for
mer case, differences over the cur
rent bill have disrupted party lines,
and made il impossible for the floor
leaders to enforce sO-called party
discipline" And the leaders, of the
fight against the reorganization meas
ure have been largely the same DEM
Ocrats who led the previous battle,
with Senator Wheeler of Montana the
spearhead of senatorial opposition.
What lies behind this aggressive,
almost passionate opposition to a
plan which, in theory, would give the
Executive authority to reOrganize
our multitudinOus Federal bureaus
on more economical and efficient
lines? II isn't a political OppOsi-
tion-the Republicans, because of
llElI AAahG UP DuN q oAlaAA
part of it. and the greater part con-
sists of Democrats who know that
their detection from the party lines
can only lead them into trouble in
such Important matters as patron
age and White House favOrs. It is
purely an opposition of principle,
and il is a curious and compelling
fact that the bulk OF those who are
lighting the present proposal are the
first 10 admit the burning necessity
for an overhaul of our pOnderous
bureaucracy. Everyone knows that
there are too many bureaus; that
there is a tremendous amount of dup
lication of effort; that some of the
bureaus are not adequately super
vised; that some have long Outlived
their need and should be abolished. |
The opponents Of the presidential !
sponsored plan simply think that
this is the wrong way TO reach a de- !
sirable end-and that even IL the law |
led TO greater efficiency of govern
ment, which they doubt, its dangers |
would still far outweigh its benefits. |
The viewpoint of the opposition
has been summed up by Dorothy |
who lists four major rea-
sons why she thinks this bill should |
not pass. Other opponents bring for
ward other reasons. but these four
are fairly typical:
L. The bill provides that the pres
ent Civil Service Board bipartisan
under the existing law) be super
seded by a single administrator, to
be appointed by the President for a
I5-year term.
2. The bill eliminates the watch
dog of the Treasury" the 'COmptrOl-
ler-G General, and transfers his du-
ties to the budget office, manned by
appointees.
3. The bill provides that no deci-
sion of the President made under the
act can be Overridden by Congress
without a two-thirds vote.
4. The bill gives TO the President
100 per cent control over the quasi
legislative House.
In other words. the opposition to
the bill is based on the undeniable
fact that il gives the Executive great
er authority over the machinery of
government-its bureaus, its person
mel and It's finances-than was ever
known in peace-time in this country.
Worst OF all, they feel, is the chance
the bill would give any President to
extend the patronage system on an
scale, at the expense
Of the merit system.
So far as the bills experience In
Congress is concerned, II it first
akak mould in ntt- |.
eaIly its original form. But on April
}. a tremendous hitch struck Admin
stration plans, when the House re-
fused, by the relatively close vote of
1871 10 l59, 10 approve a motion which
would have paved the way to an i'm
mediate ending of debate. The Ad-
leaders almost imme-
liately agreed to a very important
rephrase the bill so
hat Congress could veto Presidential
reorganization orders by a simple
majority instead of twO-thirds vote.
rhis is far more than a mere statis-
.ical compromise-any President,
inless he be hopelessly unpopular, ,
,an command one more than a third
Il the membership OF either or both
branches. But, in great issues, a
,are majority vote can be created
lgainst the plans of even very pop
liar president--as the vote de-
eating the Supreme Court bill prov ,
ID.
The outlook now is that the reor-
plan will pass, with the 4
ARE majority plank included But
leither passage nor defeat Of the
,lll will write finis to its dramatic 1
.bapter in American history-it will
be a major political
ssue in the coming November cleo 4
ions, and again In the general cleo