Evening star., 1940-04-11
Text of Letter on Fourth Reorganization Plan
President Suggests Number Of nterdeportmentoI
Changes to Cut Costs and Increase Efficiency -.

Inc CeXL OF S1eSlQenC Roosevelt
letter proposing The fourth Federal
reorganization plan, submitted to-
day to Congress, follows:
To the Congress of the United
States:
One year ago the Congress di-
rected the President to investigate
the organization Of the executive
establishment and to submit plans
for such transfers, consultations
and additions of agencies as were
found necessary and desirable.
Shortly thereafter I submitted
reorganization No. I, which i'm
proved the overall management, OF
the executive branch. This was fol-
lowed by reorganization Plan No II
which effected a better ALLEGATION
OF certain agencies and activities
among departments. Although these
two plans have been in effect less
than a year, their benefits have al
ready been gratifying. I have found
the task of co-ordinating the work
of the executive branch less diffi-
cult. Many improvements in service
have occurred, and substantial econ
on1ies have resulted.
Reorganization Plan No. III, re-
Gently submitted, is a third step
which will improve intradepartment-
al management through internal ad-
justments in certain agencies.
I am now proposing q fourth re-
organization plan which provides
for q number of interdepartmental
reorganizations. These changes are
designed to increase efficiency in
the administration Of Government
services by q more logical grouping
Of certain functions and by a fur
ther reduction in the number of
Independent agencies reporting di-
rectly to the Chief Executive.
Accordingly, I am transmitting
herewith reorganization plan No. w,
which after investigation, I have
prepared in pursuance of section 4
Of the Reorganization Act Of 1899
public NON. 199, Seventy-sixth
Congress, first session. approved
April 3, 1899, and I declare with re-
spect to each reorganization made
In this plan, that I have found such
reorganization necessary to accom-
plish one or more of the purposes Of
section l (a) Of the act:
/. To reduce expenditures;
2. To increase efficiency;
3. To consolidate agencies ac-
cording to major purposes;
4. To reduce the number of
agencies by consolidating those
having similar functions and by
abolishing such as may not be
necessary;
S. To eliminate overlapping and
duplication Of effort.
The plan I now transmit shall
describe briefly as follows:
Department Of State: The Domin-
ican Customs Receivership is trans
ferred to the Department of State
from the Division Of Territories and
Island Possessions in the Depart
ment Of the Interior. The State De-
partment is the most appropriate
agency to supervise this activity
which involves relations with q for
eign government.
Treasury Department: The plan
transfers to the Secretary of the
Treasury the function of the At
torney General Of approving OUT
of-court settlements - technically
,ermed compromises-of cases arising
under the Federal Alcohol Admin
tstration Act which have not, prior
to compromise, been referred to the
Of Justice for prosecu-
tion. The present requirement that
the Attorney General approve all
results In q cumber-
,ome, time-consuming procedure
which the small amounts involved do
aot warrant. The proposed handling
will be simpler, less likely to cause
delay, and consistent with the pro-
cedure now followed in compromises
arising under other acts which the
Treasury Department administers.
y Department Of Justice: Executive
Order No. GIGS, issued June 10, 1888,
provided for the Capitalization Of
the disbursement function In Z
division Of disbursement In the
Treasury Department. The result
Ing increase In efficiency has amply
demonstrated the wisdom Of en-