Evening star., 1938-03-17
VOTE DELAY SEEN !.
/. ON WHEELERPLAN
Close Verdict Is Likely on
Clipping Reorganizing
Power of President.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

Delegation Of broad reorganization
power to the President was attacked
today BY Senator Holt, Democrat. Of
West Virginia. As the struggle for votes
for and against limitation on such
authority continued.
There were indications the roll-call
decision, admittedly likely to be close,
may not come until tomorrow. Admin
istration supporters believe they have
a margin Of several votes to defeat the
Wheeler amendment, which would give
Congress q chance to approve or dis
approve executive orders abolishing or
consolidating Government bureaus be-
fore they become effective.
Backers Of the limitation were max
ing no claims Of victory, but agreed
the outcome would be close.
Senator Holt started today's discus
sion with an assertion that the re-
organization bill strikes at the general
power Of Congress over the Govern
ment establishment, over civil service
and over the power of spending.
The West Virginian said he wanted
to discuss the first two, because the
power Of spending already has been
disposed Of. He said he has no fault
to find with those who voted to dele
gate emergency powers to combat the
depression, and added that, to q great
extent. the President did q good job.
But the emergency has passed, or
at least the President told the country
So" Senator Holt continued. He has
spoken Of the Nation Is on the way
out and there is no contention Of
emergency power in this legislation"
A vote on the Wheeler amendment
had been expected yesterday. but after
five hours Of spirited debate . recess
was taken without fixing a definite
hour to ballot.
Want Chance to Reply.
In explanation Of Unexpectedly
postponing the decision, it was said
several leaders on the administration
side wanted to answer arguments made
by the hackers of the Wheeler amend
ment.
1t Is probable Majority Leader
Barkley and Senator Byrnes. Demo-
crat, of South Carolina, in charge OF
the bill. will make renewed appeals
to the Senate not to tie the Presi-
dents hands by requiring congress
sional approval Of bureau changes.
The discussion yesterday centered
largely around whether there is any
basis for reports the Forestry Service
might be transferred from Agricul-
ture to Interior.
Senator Pope, Democrat, of Idaho
told the Senate he had been given
assurances from high sources no
transfer of the functions Of the
Forestry Service is contemplated. His
statement stirred up lively exchange
in which Senators Connally Of Texas,
Glass of Virginia, Clark OF Missouri.
Barkley of Kentucky and Wheeler OF
Montana took part.
Glass Enters Discussion.
Senator Glass wanted to know why
the Senator from. Idaho should be
given assurances no change would be
made in one bureau. The Virginian
made it clear he WAS not seeking any
assurances and added he did not be-
lieve Senators ought to want or re-
ceive any"
Senator Connally suggested that II
such assurances have been given, why
not put the exemption in the bill?"
Senator Pope replied that If that
were done 1t would be a precedent for
other exemptions until the President
would have no power.
Majority Leader Barkley observed
that six or dozen other bureaus have
been urging exemptions.
Mr.. Connally replied that that Of
fered no difdculty. contending it would
be proper legislative function 10,
Congress to vote on any exemptions II
might want to consider. The Texan
indicated he believes there has beer
undue exaggeration on both sides a.
to what will be done to eliminate over.
tapping in Government bureaus under
the bill. He predicted there will still
be overlapping after the present mem.
bers Of the Senate are gone.
+. v. A. Question Arises.
Senator Wheeler inquired why As.
surances should not be given the wal
veterans Of the country that the
agency that handles their affairs will
not be transferred.
At another point Mr.. Wheeler and
Senator Norris. Independent of Ne.
braska. debated the question OF
whether the President could reorganize
or transfer the Tennessee Valley Au-
thority. Senator Wheeler read the de-
tails Of the pending bill to show that
T. v. A. is not listed with the inde-
pendent agencies which the President
would be prohibited from transferring