Evening star., 1943-05-25
Rumspeck
Continued From First Page }

unless executives cease being super
sensitive in dealing with members
OF Congress we may go back to the
spoils system
Mr.. Ramspeck said he had no
fear concerning victory by our armed
forces. but was concerned with
"bungling by bureaucrats" at home.
Good management in Washington,
he said, will shorten the war, save
expense and save manpower.
Others scheduled to address the
War Management Conference TODAY
were: OPA Chief Brown. John B.
Blandford, jr, administrator of the
National Housing Agency; Repre-
sentative Lanham. Democrat, of
Texas; Archibald MacLeish. Libra
rian of Congress; Senator Truman.
Democrat, of Michigan, and Attor-
ney General Frank Biddle. Chief
speaker at the pm dinner meet
Ing will be Chairman McNutt of
the War Manpower Commission.
Approximately 400 Government
officials heard Representative Rams
peck demand more courteous treat
ment of members of Congress by
executive officials and better man
agement in supervising civilian
employees.
OPA Seeks Lost Ground,
The administration is determined
to regain price control ground it lost
and then hold it, asserted Richard
B. Gilbert. economic advisor to OPA
Chief Brown. The only wav this
can be done, however, the speaker
said, is for OPA to have the con-
fldence and approval of Congress.
Experience abroad demonstrates
1t can be done and experience at
home demonstrates it must be
done" Mr.. Gilbert emphasized.
Pointing out there has been 61s
per cent increase in living costs
above the levels prevailing on Oc-
tober 2. 1912. when Congress di-
rected the Government to stabilize
wages and prices, Mr. Gilbert said
that "OPA cannot hold the line il
1t gives further ground adding that
the crisis six months later may be
more grave than at present. 1t may
be that conditions will get worse be-
fore they get better. the speaker
said, as he criticized the mad and
ugly struggle for selfish achieve
ment."
Two Courses Open.
There are only two courses open
to OPA now. he said, either roll
back the cost Of living and hold it
or recommend adjustment of wages
to the little steel formula by the
War Labor Board.
Wages increases will mean further
price increases, Whcih, in turn. will
lead to demands for further wage
rises, he asserted.
The Government has not made
good on its stabilization commit
ment, Mr.. Gilbert emphasized. He
said Congress directed OPA to
hold the line, but today there is
considerable difference of opinion
on Capitol Hill as to whether that
job should be done" The present
price levels. Mr. Gilbert said, stem
from the War Labor Boards fail
ure to hold down wages and OPA's
lack of control over farm prices.
In order to prevent ghost towns.
temporary war housing will be re-
turned to real estate dealers through
sale or salvage at the close of the
war, Representative Lanham told
the conference. Mr.. Lanham urged
that congressional committees deal
ing with housing problems hold
monthly conferences with admins
trative officials to create better un-
Outstanding.
Discussing Congress and Man.
agement Across the Table, John
B. Blandford. jr.. National Housing
Agency administrator, asked to
know the rules of the game where
Congressman are concerned.
Mr.. Blandford wanted to know
where fair practice ends in mat
ters of appointments and contract
awards" and asked if administra-
tive agencies should be by-passed
and all citizens conduct their busi-
ness with Government through
members of Congress.
He also asked what punishment, if
any. should be administered to
agency heads who stimulate pres
sure back home in support of GER
tain projects. There is every reason,
Mr.. Blandford said, for the legisla-
tive and executive agencies to work
in closer cooperation and harmony
and iron out differences in friendly