Evening star., 1939-11-16
Blueprint Is Offered
To Save Democracy
Government Adjustments
Recommended to Meet
Changing Needs

recommended to Meet
Changing Needs
THE IMPASSE OF DEMOCRACY: By
Ernest S. Griffith, dean OF the Grad
nate School, American University.
Published BY Harrison Hilton Books,
Inc, New York.
Democracy at the crossroads, under
the compulsion Of accepting modifica-
tions and modernization in its machinery
or facing the alternative of dictator
ship-either of the Communist or Fascist
form-is the theme of Mr.. Grifiths
work.
Although the title suggests discourage
ment with the democratic process, a feel
ing that the few remaining democratic
countries in the world must become die
tatorships to meet the demands of the
new technology and the national prob
lens growing out OF 1t, Mr.. Grifiith is
nrmly convinced that democracy is capa-
BILE Of working upon itself the changes
which the times demand and still pre-
serving Its character of popular self
government. The fundamental change
ne suggests is greater integration of the
branches Of government.
Survival Of democracy rests upon the
carrying out of certain alterations. the
author believes: Cd Perfection of the
controls OF bureaucracy so as to keep the
administrative and the political con-
stantly fertilizing each other in an or
oery progress; CD quick and effective
movement IN dealing with economic
problems on an overall and integral
basis; CD remedy for the cultural lags in
democratic institutions; and % achieve
ment oy democracy Of an integrating
!actor IN Its structure and in its ideoloey
instead OF remaining dispersive in its
legislation, its bureaus. its issues.
democracy is capable of effecting these
improvements. Mr.. Griffith holds, and
presents his blueprint for reconstruction
a the American Government to carry
.dt the alterations democracy requires if
1t is to ward OF the assaults of inimical
ideologies
This program would require:
A number Of congressional acts or
changes IN its rules of procedure, chiefly
70 achieve greater freedom for the Presi-
oent 70 reorganize the executive branch
OF the Government; filling of all Govern
ment positions-with the exception of
cabinet members, the Supreme Court and
Iew other positions-from a list of ELI
gloles prepared by the Civil Service Com
mission; establishment (on the basis of
interest representation Of functional
authorities for various industries: estab-
hshment OF central planning agency:
reorganization and integration of the
committees Of Congress to correspond to
the departments and agencies OF admin
istratlon; liberalization Of the right to
Introduce bills in Congress-, with a
greater share for the administrative
branch in the origination and modifica-
ton Of bills;
Constitutional amendments to permit
an item veto on appropriations for the
President; freezing Of the size of the Su-
preme Court. retirement of judges at rs,
ana requirement Of 7-to-2 vote for In
validating an act Of Congress; and
change from two-thirds to majority in
Senate approval Of treaties.
A series Of presidential orders to reor-
ganize and consolidate the departmental
organization; to set up lay advisory COM
mlttees for departments and bureaus and
stipulate that all legislative proposals of
the department or bureau shall be re-
1erred to the members Of such commit
tee before submission to Congress: to
route all departmental proposals for leg
islation as well as departmental orders
OF quasi-legislative character through
the central planning agency; and to con-
vert the Division Of Cultural Relations in
the State Department into a division of
international amity to foster good feeling
for America in foreign nations and to
carry out q positive program within
America designed to increase good will
toward other nations.
For the preservation of democracy the
author believes 1t is distinctly detrimen-
tai to make democratic institutions-the
ballot box, legislature, press and public
discussion-available to the opponents Of
democracy, that is those who favor die
tatorship, stating the empirical principle
that where relationships have come to
power by democratic means democracy
has ceased to exist.
The book, prepared originally as the
basis for a seminar at American Univer-
sity, Is well co-ordinated, and in spite of
some technical politico- economic termj-