Evening star., 1940-05-12
Close Senate Vote
likely tomorrow
On {. A. A. Shift
Both Sides Confident
In Fight Over Presidents
Reorganization Order
BY ]. A. O,LEARY.

Inc IACe OF the PreSlQentS pro-
posed reorganization of the Civil
Aeronautics Authority. over which
the Senate appeared to be sharply
divided yesterday. will be settled to-
morrow or Tuesday, probably by a
close vote.
Both sides indicated they were
confident Of victory, as administra-
ton leaders prepared to defend the
proposed new setup, while the op-
position group made plans to urge
adoption of the resolution by Sena-
tor McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada
to disapprove it.
It was reported from reliable
sources last night that supporters of
the Presidents plan believe they will
have a margin of several votes to
sustain the reorganization order
but this claim was disputed by the
opponents.
Debate May Be Shortened.
The issue is expected to be decided
by the extent to which Democrats
support the McCarran resolution,
since most, If not all, of the % Re-
publicans probably will vote to dis
approve the order.
Although the Reorganization Act
allows either branch of Congress ten
hours of debate before passing on a
presidential order. there was some
inclination on both sides yesterday
to shorten the time, and thus bring
the decisive roll call late tomorrow
or early Tuesday.
In speech and a statement yes-
terday Senator McCarran assailed
the proposed shift.
Addressing a luncheon meeting of
the Aero Club at the Army NAVY
Club, he declared the administration
OF civil aeronautics should be main
tanned in an independent status, and
not subjected to the possibility of
political control which he insisted
would be the result if it were under
the Commerce Department.
Issue Declared Important.
In the statement, Senator Nc
Carran said the issue is of first i'm
portance" to the country. He de-
clared the Commerce Department
failed" when it had charge of COM
mercial aviation prior to 1898, and
that "the Civil Aeronautics Author
ity has succeeded since 1888"
Expressing confidence that the
Senate will kill the transfer, the
Nevadan added:
Accomplishment speaks louder
than promises. The Nation is facing
situation when it must rely for
national defense upon agencies that
have effected accomplishments
Upon no agency can the Nation so
completely rely, in an hour when
national defense is uppermost, than
on that agency which can co-ordi-
nate in "A hours all our air facilities
as an adjunct to the Army and the
Navy.
civil aeronautics and civil COM
mercial flying is maintained by in
dividual effort and individual cour-
age. It is no charge or burden upon
the Nation. Civil aviation is being
developed and he's been developsd by
the efforts Of individuals, Itawould
be an outrage to throw this great
national facility into chaos. Chaos
has been the cause of disaster
abroad. Let us not follow suit"
Other Transfers in Order.
While all the controversy has
eentered around the proposal to
abolish the three-man Air Safety
Board and place the five-man Civil
Aeronautics Authority and the ad-
ministrator in the framework Of the
Commerce Department, this reor-
ganization plan, No. 1, embodies
. variety of other transfers.
Under the Reorganization Act,
however, Congress must vote the
order as a whole up or down, with
out amendment. The House has
already voted 1T down, so the Senate
roll call either will kill or approve it.
The fight to save the President S
program is expected to be led by
Majority Leader Bafkley and
Chairman Byrnes of the Reorgani-
zation Committee, which voted. s
to 3, Friday to report adversely the
resolution of disapproval.
d. C. Supply Bill Delayed.
Although Senator Overton, Demo-
erat, of Louisiana had expected to
call up the $40 ,697 $40 District ap-
preparation bill early tomorrow
that measure may await disposition
Of the reorganization fight.
Questions propounded by admin
istration leaders during the two
days OF hearings indicate they will
endeavor to show that the progress
Of the industry and the promotion
OF safety will not be retarded by
establishment of one Civil Aero
nautics Board. They will contend
that the board will continue to
function independently of the Sec
retary of Commerce in rule-making,
adjudication and investigation.
Opponents of the plan are ex-
pected to battle for retention of
the Civil Aeronautics Authority as
the regulatory body, independent of
an executive department, and for
continuation of the Air Safety
Board, to investigate accidents sep
aratey from the regulatory agency.
ID. C. Institutions Involved.
Included in plan No. 4 is the
proposed transfer of control over
st. Elizabeths Hospital, Freedmen's S
Hospital, Howard University and
the Columbia Institution for the
Deaf from the Interior Department
to the Federal Security Agency.
It also transfers the Weather Bu-
reau from Agriculture to the Com
merce Department.
Several other units and functions
are transferred from one executive
department to another, including the
Food and Drug Administration,
which would 60 from Agriculture
10 the Federal Security Agency.
Later this week the Senate prob
ably will confront another con-
. troversial issue-the Logan-Walter
bill to curb the rule-making power
of Government boards and agencies
by requiring public hearings and
defining the rights of affected citi.