Evening star., 1939-01-03


be appropriated 10 carry on the
work for the remainder of the fiscal
year, but also that some limitations
may be proposed as to tha manner
Of the expenditure of these funds.
An effort will. no doubt, be made
to secure consideration for another
Government reorganization bill.
Under both Democratic and Re-
publican administrations, I have
consistently advocated legislation of
that character. I feel that by the
passage of fairly conceived and
properly administered reorganiza-
tion bill a vast amount Of greater
efficiency in government can be
obtained and I am not unmindful
Of the possibilities OF substantial
economy in the operations Of gov
ernment under such a program.
Indications also exist that serious
efforts will be made to amend or
modify certain features of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Act, but to
what extent and by what specific
alterations, it is not now apparent.
1t is also now apparent that a
vigorous effort may be made by
certain groups of opinion to modify
some of the essential features of
the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1888. and this controversy may be
rather vigorously contested before
both the House and Senate Com
mittees on Agriculture, and in both
branches of Congress.
Economic Study Being Pushed.
1t will be recalled that at the last
session Of Congress resolution was
adopted setting up the National
Temporary Economic Committee,
which is composed of representatives
from the House and Senate and
also an equal number of representa-
tives from the executive branches of
the Federal Government:
ITO make full and complete
study and investigation with respect
to the matters referred to in the
Presidents message of April 80, 1888,
on monopoly and the concentration
OF economic power in and financial
control over production and distri-
button of goods and services and to
hear and receive evidence thereon,
with a view to determining, but
without limitation. Cd the cause of
such concentration and control and
their effect upon competition; 90
the effect of the existing price sys-
tenn and the price policies of indus
try upon the general level of trade,
upon employment, upon long-term
profits, and upon consumption; and
CD the effect of existing tax, patent,
and other Government policies upon
competition, price levels, unemploy-
ment, profits, and consumption; and
shall investigate the subject of gov
ernmental adjustment of the pur-
chasing power of the dollar so as to
attain 1925 commodity price levels;
and CD to make recommends
tions to Congress with respect to
legislation upon the foregoing sub
jects-."
Such committee was set up soon
after the adjournment of the last
Congress and is now actively en-
gagged In the studies and investiga-
tions required of it. j.. The various
and amplif1ed subjects required to
be investigated by this committee
will necessarily require long consid-
Grafton and extended sessions and
it is quite unlikely that it will be
possible for that committee to make
any recommendations for legislation
to the incoming session of Congress,
although they may see fit, after due
consideration, to recommend legis-
lation on some particular matters
that have been developed by the
hearings.
Study Carried on Calmly.
I am sure that it is gratifying to
all groups of opinion in the country
that it is evidently the purpose OF
this committee to pursue its investi-
CATION with great judicial calnlness,
without any semblance of punitive
disclosures against any branch of
industry or society, and to 60 to the
bottom of our present industrial and
social setup with the purpose of un-
dertaking to solve by future legisla-
ton any gross Embellishments Of
our present practices and to seek to
establish equality of opportunity un-
der the law for all persons and all
industries in the country.
The present surface indications
point to very spirited and possibly
acrimonious discussion of a great
variety of proposed changes in the
present Social Security Act. Old
age pensions through some form of
Federal assistance Is undoubtedly
one of the livest issues now before
the country. A great number of
proposals have been put forward, of
varying degrees of liberality and
methods of financing. 1t Is rather
certain that the House Ways and
Means Committee will, early in the
session, set down hearings on these
issues, and give to all the outstand-
ing proposals fair opportunity to
be heard.
There are in prospect the posi-
bility Of various other legislative
proposals which may bring on un-
anticipated debate and differences of
opinion.
Republican Increase Cited.
AS I stated in the beginning of
this address, not having the powers
Of clairvoyance, cannot enter upon
the field of certain and definite pre-
dictions as to the course of legisla-
ton and have been compelled as a
matter Of fairness and prudence to
indulge only in words of prophecy
and speculation. It is now apparent
that because of the increase in the
Republican representation in the
House Of Representatives especially,
that party lines may be more sharply
and aggressively drawn than they
were in the last, session, when the
Democrats had such q preponderant
majority.
As one who has had quite q long
experience In the public service Of
\