Evening star., 1945-11-11
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Allen Asks End
'0fWarA Agencies
by Next July
Report to Truman
Says Continuance
Is InexcusubIe'

- IuSASuSuDlS
Emergency agencies should be
eliminated "as far as possible"
by next June 80, President Tru-
man was advised last night in a
special report from George e.
Allen, former District Commits
sioner, who was detailed by the
White House several weeks ago
to map a program for reducing
the vast wartime governmental
establishment.
The report recommended appoint
ment of director of liquidation to
oversee the job, asserting that pro-
longed continuation of temporary
emergency agencies. after they have
served tfSir purpose, would be in
excusablek After the World War,
it said. Various agencies continued
to functid years after their ap-
parent usefulness was gone"
At the same time. Mr.. Allen
warned esainst inf1icting unneces-
sary hard faip on displaced employees.
and urged that they get 80 days
advance notice; be made eligible for
unemployment compensation, as is
proposed in pending legislation, and
likewise be assisted to return to
their homes, when necessary. He
also stressed that the United States
Employment Service should be in
structed specifically to aid them in
getting work in private industry.
Many Really Wanted to Help.
Mary Government employees In
the emergency agencies came to the
Nations Capital and other urban
centers with sincere desire to help
in our gigantic war effort" he ex-
planned Numerous young people
left their homes and friends in dis
tant communities. Some workers
left school early to serve their coun-
try Immediately. Certain officials
resigned good positions to render
specialized wartime service.
"As the emergency agencies start
to liquidate, thousands of employees
may become stranded. Many of
those displaced are far from their
home communities without prospects
of unemployment, especially in view
of the proper priority given to rap-
idly returning war veterans.
Under the circumstances, it seems
only proper that former govern
mental employees be given assistance
at least to return home. Their
chance of employment might be
much better in their home COM
munities. Such program, provided
for in pending legislation, seems not
only fair but economically sound"
Some Workers Poorly Paid"
The report said that contrary to
popular belief, all Government en-
ployes are not highly paid. In
comparison with similar service in
private industry some are even
poorly paid" AS result, the re-
port added. wartime workers, par
ticularly those in the lower brack-
cts, have had little opportunity to
build up cash reserve.
Mr.. Allen said that at the end
of September emergency agencies
had 126,937 employees. This, he ex-
planned, was exclusive of expanded
wartime forces of regular establish
ments, such as the War and Navy
Departments, which did not come
within the scope of his study. Near
ly dozen of the emergency units
have been ordered broken up or
transferred.
On the general problem of hqui-
dation, Mr.. Allen said:
Without careful advance PLAN
ming and proper coordination of
the numerous agencies affected by
liquidation, the sudden stoppage of
any public service might prove ex-
ceedingly wasteful. When
we start pruning governmental serv-
ice, special care must be taken to
make sure that the branches we
prune are really unnecessary or
now unfruitful, and that their sew
erance would not adversely affect
the public and common welfare.
Permanent Agencies Urged.
"The few emergency services
which may be necessary and essen
tial in peacetime ought to be trans
ferred to permanent agencies
As agencies likely to continue
operation for the foreseeable future,
Mr.. Allen named Alien Property
Custodian and Office of War Mobil-
ization and Reconversion. He said
that the War Manpower Commits
sion, which has been transferred to
the Labor Department, is not to be
liquidated during the current fiscal
year, although personnel is being
reduced.
The suggested liquidation ma
chinery headed by a director should
include also an advisory committee
composed of representatives of
Treasury, Budget Bureau, Civil
Service Commission, Surplus Prop
erty Administration and Archives.
Mr.. Allen said.
The director also should. be able
to draw on the General Accounting
Office for field help, the report said.
1t was also recommended that re-
sponsible officials in each of the
affected agencies be detailed to aid
the liquidation director.
Rarknr M Tnio ae Drominr