Evening star., 1949-01-12
Hoover Unit Finishes
Reorganization Plan
For State Department
BY the Assoeiofed Press


By the Associated Press
Plans for a complete reorgani-
zation Of the State Department
have been completed by the
Hoover Commission on Govern
ment Reorganization.
Dean Acheson, picked by Presi-
dent Truman for Secretary of State,
has taken part in drafting the pro-
gram to be carried out under his di-
rection. Present State Department
chiefs also have assisted.
The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee will open public hearings
on Mr.. Acheson's appointment to-
morrow. His confirmation is ex-
pected.
Proposals in the Hoover Commits
sion's rapport are based to consid-
cradle extent on plan of reorgan-
tzation drawn up by Assistant Sec
retary Of State John E. Peurifoy
more than a year ago.
The program never was carried
through, mainly because Secretary
OF State Marshall and Undersecre-
tary Lovett have been so busy with
foreign problems that they never
felt they had time to reorganize the
mechanics of operation.
To Divide Work BY Areas.
Mr.. Peurifoy is close friend Of
Mr.. Acheson, and will remain in
charge Of the departments admins
tration after Mr.. Acheson takes
over January 20.
The essence of the proposed
shakeup is to divide the depart
ment's work according to coun-
tries and different areas of the
world instead of according to the
kinds of work done. Thus the.
section dealing with Europe under
the new system will embrace all
of the departments functions rela-
ting to Europe-policy making, eco
nomic affairs, intelligence reports.
and public affairs (such as voice of
America broadcasts).
Under the Hoover Commissions
proposal the top command of the
State Department would be greatly
enlarged.
The department chief would have
only one undersecretary, as at
present, but the undersecretary
would be given two deputy under
secretaries-one for policy and one
for administration. At present he
has no aides in position to relieve
him of a vast amount of detail.
Eight Assistants Planned.
The commission under former
President Hoover, which is drawing
plans to reshape the general struc-
ture of the Federal Government, de-
cided that both the Secretary and
Undersecretary are badly over
worked.
The number Of Assistant Secre-
taries would be enlarged from six to
eight and some functions now as
signed to the six would be abolished.
The whole line Of responsibility for
policy would run up through these
eight men.
In line with geographical organi-
zation Of the State Department
there would be one Assistant Secre-
tary each for Europe, the Near East
and Africa, the Far East and Latin
America.
The four remaining assistants
would handle respectively public af-
fairs, congressional affairs, interna-
tional organization affairs and in
terdepartmental coordination.
Mr.. Acheson will be the first wit
ness at tomorrow's hearing and
Chairman Connally has invited the
entire Senate membership to hear
his testimony if they wish.
Senator Connally refused to
identify one person who is now
scheduled as the only witness other
than Mr.. Acheson. Other sources
said this witness is expected to be
A. A. Berle, jr, former State De-
partment official.
Lane Voices Fear Of Policies.
Mr.. Berle told the House Com
mittee on Un-American Activities
last year that he had differed with
Mr.. Acheson over the United States
policy toward Russia-favoring a i,
tougher" policy than Mr.. Acheson.
At the time of which he spoke Mr.. |
Acheson was Undersecretary of
State.
Arthur Bliss Lane. retired diplo-
mat and first Ambassador to post
war Poland, said in Baltimore last
night that Mr.. Acheson's appoint
ment "gives good reason to fear
softening" on American policies to-
ward Russia. In a television inter-
view, Mr.. Lane said:
II cannot prophesy if his appoint
ment will change our policies. But
I do know this: In the past, Acheson
has been associated in the minds of
our State Department people with
appeasement of Russia. There is
good reason to fear softening, not
stifening. in our policies"
Senator Connally told reporters
the Acheson hearings will last about
two days. They will not include the
nomination of James E. Webb, bud
get director, to be Undersecretary of
State Senarete hearing will he bold