The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1951-06-21
Washington Report
BY United States Senator
Herbert X. O'COnOr

!
! terested in government economy have
been making, to reduce the constant
ly rising Federal payroll, are brought
into sharp relief by testimony of
Comptroller General Lindsay Warren
! that the government is greatly over
stated"
The fortnight statement to this
effect by the head of the General
Accounting Office, upon which the
] Congress depends for fiscal super
vision of the various government
agencies, is particularly pertinent
right now while the Senate is con
sidering appropriations for the De-
partmcnt of Labor and the Federal
Security Agency for 1852.
While critical of the Presidents
budget proposals on several counts,
had publicly declared early in the ses-
sion that recommended increases in
personnel for many departments at
this time were indefensible. 1t was
my conviction that great savings
could be made in this respect that I'M
derlay the recommendations | made
for a cut of 288,OOO,O0O in the
Presidents budget.
Frequent charges that many of the
governments departments and agen-
cies had too many employees for the
work at hand were supported by Mr..
WaTen's testimony that one agency
had told him that "he knew he had
too many people in his agency and
would like to reduce them" but he
feared the pressure and criticism that
would ensue.
Two amendments to the Labor
FSA bill approved by the Senate al
ready have cut $350,000 from the
personnel funds. | was very glad to
vote for these amendments and will
continue to assist every move made
to bring the governments personnel
into line with the requirements of
businesslike handling of government
business.
Supporting the Comptroller Gener-
ais testimony are figures to the eff
feet that more than 10000 members
of the armed forces, enough to man
three or four divisions, are doing
every kind of office and other detail
except along fighting lines.
A Senate Subcommittee report
shows that enough military manpower
| 4inI If
duties which could be performed by
women or less able-bodied men, to
take care of the United States COM
mitment for service in Europe.
The facts revealed by Senate stu
dies in the field of military man
power make clear that a great num-
Der of men of limited physical quail
ficationS, who are anxious to make
their contribution to the country's de-
Tense, could be used, to release the
physically qualified men for active
service in the field. Many civilians,
also, the disclosures show, could per-
form the duties of administration,
etc, in which able bodied members
of the armed forces are now engaged.
With manpower both for the armed
services and for industry at a premi-
UNI now, every effort must be made
to insure against waste. | am con-
WINGED that, by and large, members
of Congress will vote to eliminate such
misuse of available personnel.
Don't Be Afraid of Change
One of the urgent requirements for
leadership in the days ahead, | told
the graduates of the Eastern College
of Commerce and Law in Baltimore
on Saturday, is an alertness to assist
on changes in existing conditions,
when the public interest demands.
"Do not be satisfied with what you
have learned to date" | advised. BE
assertive. Because conditions exist is
no adequate reason for accepting
them blindly.
"The good citizen owes it to him
self as we'll as to his fellows to ascer-
tain the facts regarding the basic
conditions of life. He must determine
! on factual basis whether existing
standards are as they should be. He
should consider whether by intelli-
gent changes and notifications con
ditions could be improved for the
benefit of all.
"Citizens of America have the most
precious heritage and possessions
ever accorded any coutry. We appreci-
ate them, beyond doubt, but we are
thoroughly complacent about them
We accept and enjoy them as a God