Evening star., 1946-05-31

total cost at $12;281 ,235 annually.
surely this is a modest price to
pay for increased efficiency in the
legislative branch of the Govern
ment," the La Toilette report de-
clares.
Cites Offsetting Economies.
Even with this modest increase,
the total cost of the legislative
branch would be $6,0OO,OOO less than
the 1947 budget for the Office of
the Administrator of Civil Aero
nautics alone.
"It would be more than offset
by the abolition of the patronage
system, the reduced cost of the
shorter session (of Congress-, the
reduction from 33 to 16 in the num-
ber of standing committees to be
stated and supported, and the
great economies in public expendi-
lures to be brought about by the
fixing of Federal budget totals"
On reduced length of sessions, the
bill proposes that Congress each
year adjourn from late June to the
second Tuesday in October. This
would not apply to wartime or to
periods of emergency proclaimed by
the President. In addition, there
are provisions for Congress to be
reconvened at the call of House
and Senate leaders.
In its move to strengthen fiscal
controls, the committee provides
adoption of annual budget totals by
joint action of the Revenue and Ap-
preparation Committees of both
houses. A record vote would be
required to authorize creation of ad-
ditional Federal debt if it developed
that appropriations would exceed
revenue expectancy for the coming
new fiscal year. Furthermore, the
bill provides that if midway through
fiscal year it develops that appro-
priations will exceed the approved
budget grand total, the President
shall by proclamation reduce all ap-
preparations by uniform percent
age, except as to certain fixed
charges, so as to bring them within
the budget.
Provides Open Hearings.
In addition to this, the bill pre-
scribes that secret committee hear
ings on appropriation requests shall
end. All department budget hear
iEgs would be open. So that all
members of the House and Senate
may have knowledge of what pro-
posals are contained in supply bills,
it is proposed that printed reports
of Appropriation Committee actions
shall be available for three days be-
fore the House or Senate acts on a
budget bill.
Another major recommendation
calls for the creation in the House
and Senate of majority and minor
lty party policy committees. The
purpose is to give better direction
and greater responsibility for formu-
lation of party policies on major is
sues, while still leaving each individ-
ual member free to vote his own
convictions or those of his con-
stituents.
There is no unity of command
in Congress today" the report de-
clared. 1t added that responsibility
for development of legislative policy
now is scattered among the chair
men of 81 standing committees
"who compete for jurisdiction and
power" AS result, the report adds,
policy making is "splintered."
To end patronage in the selection
OF committee and other Capitol Hill
employees, the bill proposes appoint
ment of a director of congressional
personnel, under merit system,
who would prepare a merit system
for the selection of Capitol Hill
employees.
This agency would take over the
selection of House and Senate pages,
as well as other employees. The re-
port declares the boy pages should
be restricted to those living "at
home" here or in orphanages in the
District. Further, the committee
suggests that the pages be given
their education in the Washington
public schools, instead Of the pri-
vate class instruction now main
tanned at the Capitol.
The bill also provides for the re-
modelling of the caucus rooms of
the House and Senate, for a restudy
OF the assignment of Capitol space
and calls for provision of more con-
venient and adequate dining room
space in the Capitol Building.
Members of the special committee,
in addition to Chairman La Toilette
are Senators Thomas of Utah, Pep
per of Florida and Russell of 'Geor-
gia, Democrats, and White of Maine
and Brooks of Illinois, Republicans.