Evening star., 1942-01-10
McCarran Acts
| To Block Shift
Resolution Would Ban
Transfers Without
Consent Of Congress
Earlier Decentralization Story
on Page A-3D


on Page A-3)
A new move to block transfer
of Government agencies from
Washington was made this after
noon when Senator McCarran.
Democrat, of Nevada introduced
a resolution to prohibit any
shifts without the consent OF
Congress. The chairman of the
Senate District Committee took
this action after consultation
with leaders of Senate and House
District Committees.
The resolution declares that It
Is the belief of the Senate that the
action of the Budget Bureau in
ordering certain Government
agencies and Offices to move from
the District lis without authority
of law and contrary to the will OF
Congress and without knowledge Of
the Congress and that the execution
of such order will result not only
in vast increases in expenditures
but also to increase inefnciency In
governmental operation and the ac-
tual impairment of good govern
ment."
The resolution further states that
"the execution of such orders should
be stayed Immediately" 1t directs
that the director of the budget.
before taking any further steps
toward removing any agency or
Office from the District, shall sub
NIT a report to the Senate giving
full and detailed information as to
the reasons for the issuance of such
order, the statutory authority upon
which it is based and a full and
complete disclosure of all facts in
connection with each and every
agency or office directed to be
moved"
Basis for Order Questioned.
The McCarran resolution explains
that the Senate and House District
Committees have been meeting in
almost daily joint sessions with a
view to determining the advisability
and feasibility of moving agencies
and ofiices from the District. 1t
states that these committees have
been unable to obtain a citation
of any statutory authority for any
person or Government agency to
order such removals. The joint
committees have certain informa-
ton and data which the resolution
says should be considered by the
Budget Bureau in connection with
the proposal to move such agencies.
The resolution emphasized that
the committees have endeavored
to obtain on several occasions, but
without success, through personal
appearance at public hearings of
responsible officials of the Bureau
of the Budget and through tele-
phone calls and correspondence with
the directing heads of that bureau
information as to the basis for the
orders issued and pertinent data
regarding the selection of sites.
building, equipment, cost Of moving
agencies and personnel, and pro-
visions for the accommodation of
Offices and personnel in other 10
calities."
The resolution states that numer-
Gus letters and telephone calls have
been received by the Senate and
House District Committees to the
effect that the personnel have been
charged with disloyalty and lack of
patriotism if they oppose the NOV
ing of their agencies.
Increased Costs Claimed.
Senator McCarran points out in
the resolution that the removal of
such personnel involves monetary
losses of incalculable amounts as
we'll as the disruption of home and
civic life. In the opinion of repre-
sentatives of the agencies affected,
expressed in public hearings. the ef-
f1ciency of the Federal Government
will be seriously impaired, and the
increase in cost of maintaining the
offices away from Washington viii,
See DECENTRALIZATION, Pg. OK