Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Hill and BarkIey
Back Probe Of
U. 5. Expenses
ControIIer-GeneroI
To Testify Tuesday
On Curling OutIoys
Rv The Associated Press.

ES he Associated Press.
An investigation of how Gov
eminent agencies are spending
the money appropriated by Con-
gresS was projected yesterday by
the long dormant Senate Com
mlttee on Executive Expendi-
lures with unusual administra-
ton support.
Chairman Hill announced that
Controller General Warren would be
called Tuesday 20 see what could be
done about tightening the reins on
executive expenditures.
Senator Hill. who is the DEM
ocratic whip, said the move had tha
approval of Ma jority Leader Bark
ley, also committee member. The
investigation is looked on generally
As new congressional check on the
policies of Government bureaus.
In contrast to The cooperation &C.
corded this inquiry. some adminis-
tration leaders oppose a resolution
by Representative Smith Democrat,
of Virginia to set up special House
committee to look into the orders
and other activities of administrative
agencies. Mr. Smith said his move
was in conformity with sentiment
that the new Congress should do its
own legislating, and claimed the
support of Republicans and many
Democrats.
Cost of Ships May Be Aired.
Senator Aiken, Republican, Of
Vermont said the Senate Commit
tee was likely to look into a con-
troversy between the War Shipping
Administration and the controller
general over the purchase price
of vessels.
In addition, Senator Aiken said
he was informed the controller gen.
eral lacked authority to audit the
expenditures of 81 Government
agencies and was auditing the books
tility to the procedure used.
Il think there are some Govern
ment departments which are not
/ proceeding in accordance with the
provisions Of law in making expen-
ditures,' Senator Aiken told re-
porters. There will always be
plenty of investigating committees
to come along and blame somebody
after money has been spent in
way not intended by Congress, but
we want to lock the door before
the horse is stolen"
In resolution Senator Aiken in
troduced to give the committee a
framework for its inquiry, the Gen.
eral Accounting Office would be
called on to report monthly to Sem
ate and House committees on its
supervision of expenditures.
Would Cover Implications.
Those reports would cover any
Implications of effort by Govern
ment departments and recommend
reorganizations to increase efficiency.
In addition, the controller general
would be required to report on the
recapture Of Overpayments made by
the Government as we'll as on the
legality Of contracts entered into by
agencies and bureaus.
The controversy between the con-
troller general and the VISA has
revolved around the formers con-
tention that the Maritime Commits
sion has no legal authority to pur-
chase or charter vessels on the basis
of their present war-enhanced
values.
The Controller General has con-
tended that the purchase price OF
any vessel must be based on it's
market price as Of September 8,
1899, when President Roosevelt is
sued limited emergency proclama-
ton.
The Maritime Commission has
contended, on the other hand. that
its emergency powers did not be-
come operative under the limited
emergency proclamation, and that
the public interest requires that
higher prices be paid in order to
obtain necessary ships.