Evening star., 1942-01-03
J.. ). Finance
Units Called for
Views on Shifts
Decentralization of
O. P. M. Suggested
By Downs
By WILL p. KENNEDY.

By WILL p. KENNEDY.
Oficials Of the Federal price-flx-
ing and finance administrations
have been called as witnesses today
before the Downs subcommittee.
which for several months has been
conducting hearings on the posi-
bility of decentralization of Gov
ernment agencies in the interests of
economy and efficiency.
In advance of the meeting, Chair
man Downs and Representative
Manasco of Alabama, who has been
assisting in Interrogation OF wit
nesses, expressed their conviction
that Office of Production Manage
ment Offices which are growing
rapidly and making demands for
extensive office space, could be de-
centralized out of Washington ra-
ther than old line agencies, which
have established permanent ofices
here-some of them as old as the
Government itself-and which are
now being driven out.
Chairman Downs commented, I'VE
have not yet found any evidence
that the Budget Bureau in order
ing transfer of permanent, old line
establishments has been guided by
any hearings or studies Of the situ-
alton. There seems to be decision
to move them out regardless"
The House subcommittee, which
hopes to conclude its hearings to-
day, is especially aroused by the
decision of the Budget Bureau to
remove the Patent Office-flrSt to
New York and later to Richmond
and the Fish and Wild Life Admin
istration to Chicago. Members ex-
pressed their conviction today that
no part of the Patent Office should
be moved out of Washington and
that the Fish and Wild Life unit
could better be located in the Patu-
ent Md) reservation and at Mary
land University. They protested that
all of the old-line agencies can be
better housed in temporary build
ings here at less cost and with
. smaller loss of efficiency than if
moved elsewhere.
Claims No Study Made.
In its studies to determine the
most efficient way Of Drovidirc
adequate space for Government
agencies to carry out the deienSe
program, the Downs subcommittee
has had the confidential advice of
those officials and agencies who for
upwards of three decades have given
closest study to questions of decen-
tralization, reorganization and CO.
ordination.
Malcolm Kerlin, administrative
assistant to the Secretary of Com
merce, when questioned by the sub
committee yesterday, disclosed that
the order for transferring the Patent
Office to Richmond had been issued
without any hearing or study by the
Budget Bureau. He said an order
was issued in the Patent Office yes
terday appealing to the veteran en-
ployes mostly in the technical class
to stick 'patriotically' with the
bureau in the transfer to Richmond,
but advising any who felt an un-
justified hardship was being imposed
that they could register for transfer
to other agencies which were to re-
main in Washington. This was in
| the interests of veteran employees
who have purchased their homes
here, made church affiliations and
who have children in the District
| schools. He said that more than 100
had applied for transfer to new
agencies connected with the national
defense program. hoping that when
the emergency is over and the Pat
ent Office returns to Washington
that they can be reassigned to their
old jobs.
The Commerce Department, Mr.
Kerlin said. has been assured that
transportation for employees and
their household goods to Richmond
will be betrayed by the Government
and that for a limited period zap
proximately IS days. the Govern
ment will allow employees S5 per
diem while they are getting properly
housed in Richmond. The Rich
mond Chamber of Commerce and
other organizations in that city have
given assurance that adequate ac-
commodations will be promptly pro-
vided for Patent Office employees.
Confidence that the great bulk OF
Patent Office employees will patri-
otically submit to hardships, con-
tinue to carry on in the Patent
Office service in the general interests
of national defense, was expressed
by Mr.. Kerlin.
Homes Owned by Majority.
Between SIS and 60 per cent of the
employees own their own homes
here, Mr.. Kerlin testified, they
average 18 to 20 years Of service
and are 40 to IS years Of age-and
they will have to take their chances
on reinstatement after the emer-
gency if they do not stick with their
present jobs.
Replying to questions by Chair
man Downs, Mr.. Kerlin said that
the Commerce Department didn't
receive any instructions to move
the Patent Office to New York OF
Richmond, that the directions re-
ceived from the President did not
indicate the city.
Asked by Representative Manasco
regarding the advisability of trans
ferring some of the o. P. M. Offices
out of Washington rather than old
time agencies such as the Paten'
Office. Mr. Kerlin said that "theil
employees are not as deeply rooted
here as are those in old line agen-
cies. After the emergency they will
probably not remain here, and they
are not bringing their families to
Washington"
"Other Government agencies
could be moved with much less dis
turbance and expense than thu
Patent ONCE" observed Chairman
Downs.
Mr.. Kerlin said that no other
agency in the Commerce Depart.
ment has been asked to move ou,
of Washington.