Evening star., 1938-12-10
Argument Is Revived
Over Veto Power on
Reorganization
Byrd and Harrison Amono
Senators in Fovor of
Compromise

With the Government reorganiza-
tion issue projected once more into
the limelight by President Roose-
velt's announcement that efforts
would be renewed at the forthcom-
ing session Of Congress to revamp
the executive agency set-up, early
arrivals on Capitol Hill today were
giving attention to the terms on
which they would support legisla-
ton.
At the same time, an argument
was stirring again over the proposal
to give Congress the power to veto
any reorganization orders issued by
the President-a power, incidentally,
that was embodied in the Economy
Act Of 1888 under which President
Roosevelt first undertook reorgani-
zation.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, who led the unsuccessful fight
in the Senate last year on the Presi-
dents reorganization plan which
later was defeated In the House, an
nounced his willingness to make
any reasonable compromise" to get
through a bill Ito promote economy,
efficiency and simplicity" in gov
ernment.
Insists on Veto Power.
The Virgtnian insisted, however
that Congress retain nOwer Of veto
over changes, and reiterated oppo-
sition to former proposals to take
control over expenditures from the
Controller General and to substitute
one-man administration for the
three-member. bipartisan Civil
Service Commission
Senator Byrd, who had a special
committee at work on re3eanfza-
ton in the last session before Presi-
dent Roosevelt submitted his pro-
gram. said he thought it absurd
to contend, as did Senator Byrnes
Democrat, of South Carolina. that
the Wheeler amendment Of the last
session was unconstitutional. This
amendment, offered by Senator
Wheeler, Democrat. of Montana
and defeated by only a few votes
would 1ave made Unnecessary for
the President, to submit any reor-
ganization orders to Congress for
favorable vote in bOh houses be-
fore aley could become effective
He also objected to sny amend
ment in the form of the old law
which made reotAanization orders
effective Within so days unless dis
approved by Congress.
Confident Of Amendment.
Senator Wheeler also expressed
confidence that reorganization coule
60 through wit14 his amendment
and Senator McNary Of Oregon, the
Republican 'leader, Endorsed thi!
view.
/ Every one is For reorganization
if it will promote the efficiency Of
government and reduce the cos
thereof" Senator McNary said
Every one is willingto give a Presi.
dent power - abolish Offices ane
bureaus and transfer and anialga.
mate the functions of bureaus. Bu
in my opinion, the majority ol
Congress wants to have some c0ntro
over arbitrary decisions by the Pres.
iAent."
A directly opposite viev WAS taker
by Senator Norris independent, VI
Nebraska. who said it would be 8
futile" reorganization bill which
gave Congress the power to review
presidential decisions.
In reshaping the BUREAUS" Sena
tor Norris said. the President will
have to step Oh a lot of toes. He
will have to step On the bureaus
themselves and .on the members oi
Congress who have pet bureaus. II
Congress is given the power to veto
his actions, it will be just like lok-
rolling rivers and harbors bill. One
member would have a pet here, an
other there and third elsewhere
Nothing would ever be accom-
plished.
Harrison for Compromise.
I'VE have to delegate the author
ity to some one. and I can't see who
else 1t could be besides the Presi-
dent"
Senator Harrison, Democrat, o1
Mississippi, member of thes Byrnes
Committee which sponsored last
sessions measure. is another leader
talking compromise. saying he
thought some concessions would
have to be made to the divergent
viewpoints" represented in Con-
greSs.
Chairman RamSpeck of the House
Civil Service @ommittee has drafted
a bill designed to cover the civil
service section of the reorganHa-
tion plan. While the raeasure COW
ers most OF the Presidents ideas
on this subject. 1t does not, as he
recommended, reduce the three
man Civil Service Commission to
single commissioner.
Some 175.0OO Government en-
ployes would be blanketeds under
civil service, Ramspeck estimates.
The bill TOuld make into law the
excessive Order of last June giviAg
the commission y little more au-
thority. 1t places under civil service
all except policy forming positions.
The ITS ,0GS workers to gain civil
service status would include those
in agencies nov excepted by law
such as the Federal. Housing Ad-
ministration. It also covers the
administrative staff of w. p. A., but
not project workers.
Explaining his opposition to a one
man commission, Representative
Ramspeck said he was not willing
to put the destiny Of more than
100000 employees in the hands OF
one man."
President Roosevelt intends tc
send special message to Congress
on reorganization, but he indicated
to his press conference yesterday
that it would be up to Congress tc
determine the form and to a large