Evening star., 1939-06-17
Byrd Halls Murphy
Suggestion for Cut
In Public Expenses
Declares Declaration
Should Spur Fight
On Extravaganza

Paced by Senator Byrd, Demo-
crat, OF Virginia, a long time advo-
cate of reduced Government spend
ing, economy minded members OF
Congress yesterday hailed the sug-
gestion of Attorney General Muir
ply that billion dollars and a
million employees be Topped from
Federal, State and local pay rolls.
The views of the Attorney Cen
eral were expressed Thursday night
at Asbury Park, N. j., in a speech
to group meeting of the Civil
Service Assembly in which he also
Criticized the practice of handing
out jobs in payment of political
debts.
This fortnight declaration COM
ing from Mr.. Murphy should give
new impetus to the movement to
eliminate Federal extravagances as
the first step toward a sound fiscal
condition, said Senator Byrd.
Adding it was significant that
the Attorney General should take
issue" with President Roosevelt,
Senator Byrd said he did this by
asserting that economies could be
effected without disturbing those
Government activities which protect
the security of the people, while
Mr.. Roosevelt has repeatedly said
that no worthwhile Federal econo-
mics were possible without elimi-
mating such functions of govern
ment."
Adams Sees difficulties,
Senator Adams, Democrat. of Colo
RADIO. one of those who have sought
to cut this years appropriations, OBJ
served that it would be difficult il
not impossible to accomplish such
a program as Mr.. Murphy advanced
and still comply with the Attorney
Generals condition-that govern
mental functions not be curtailed
There were some who took ex-
ception to Mr.. Murphys suggestion
that Federal personnel should be
reduced. Senator McCarran, DEM
ocrat, of Nevada said:
I'VE had experience with that
situation in the Economy Act of
1888. Had that phase of the act
prevailed, there would have been a
general lowering of national income
and disastrous results in many lines
of business"
Senator Frazier, Republican, of
North Dakota said something ought
to be done to reduce Government
costs, but that he viewed Mr.. MUIR
phys statement las propaganda to
support the administrations gov
ernmental reorganization plan"
which, he added, has not produced
any reductions as yet"
Senator Gillette, Democrat, of
Iowa said he agreed with the Attor-
ney General.
I'VE have nearly one person out of
every six now working for the Gov
ernment," the Iowa Senator said.
Five persons should not be re-
quired to support one public en-
ploye.'
Hatch Bill Discussed.
Drawn into the discussion indi-
rectly was the Hatch bill to restrict
political activity by Federal en-
ployes and Office holders and ban
politics in relief. Supporters of the
measure said it would go long way
toward ending politics in Govern
ment jobholdipg.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico, the author, said the saw
ings which Mr.. Murphy asserted
could be made were worthy OBJ
jective for all governments.
Senator Hatch's bill has passed
the Senate and is pending in the
House Judiciary Committee. House
leaders have indicated it will be
brought to vote before Congress
adjourns.
The President said at his press
conference that he approved the
measures objectives, but expressed
the opinion that it had been badly
drawn. He added. that the House
committee was trying to correct it.
Some crotics have contended its
provisions were so broad that 1t
would prevent a member Of Con-
gress, since he was a Government
job-holder, from running for re-
lection. Senator Hatch, however.