Evening star., 1952-01-31

Called by Senatorsoln
Internal Revenue / \ Bill
President Truman's plan for.re-
organization Of the Internal Reve-
nue. Bureau faced sharp Senate
committee scrutiny again today,
despite overwhelming but un-
enthusiastic House: approval.
Chairman Robert, Ramspeck Of
the Civil Service Commission,
Budget Director Frederick j. Law
ton and DR.. Arthur Flemming,
representing the Citizens Com
mittee for the Hoover Report. were
scheduled witnesses at a second
|day Of hearings before the Senate
Expenditures Committee.
The reorganization plan. which
becomes effective March Is. unless
rejected by either branch Of Con-
gress, went through the House on
Ia voice vote late yesterday, fol-
lowing more than four hours OF
debate.
An unsuccessful move for q roll
CALI vote indicated that only 10
members actively opposed the
plan. But many Republicans and
| a few Democrats complained that
lit falls short of the need for a
Thorough program to correct
abuses and improve efficiency in
1.-THE bureau.
Hear Snyder, Dunlap.
The proposed reorganization
would remove "a internal revenue
collectors from patronage ap-
pointment and would substitute 25
district commissioners and about
70 deputies, selected on civil
service basis.
A resolution relating to the re-
organization plan has not yet
been introduced in the Senate
The Expend itures Committee
opened hearings on the general
proposal yesterday with Treasury
Secretary Snyder and Internal
Revenue Commissioner John B
Dunlap as witnesses.
Secretary Snyder predicted that
the proposed changes not only
would help the bureau to handle
Its increased work-load and many
new tax problems but also would
|, "help remove temptation"
Il Competitive Examinations.
\ Commissioner Dunlap said al
the present politically appointed
collectors, except II already or
civil service status and another
: eight ineligible because of age
: would have to take their chances
/. with other applicants in civil serv'
ice competitive examinations fol
the new positions. He added, how
lever, that many of them as well al
! a nucleus of highly trained ans
} experienced employees. probabl!
would meet requirements for thu
Jobs.
The House debate indicated
that most Republicans supported
1.-THE reorganization plan on a bet
tier than nothing basis. Severa
Explained privately that they dit
mot want to be put in a position
of opposing any move to correc
j some of the weaknesses ant
abuses they ascribed to the tax
collecting administration.
Representative Brown, Re
publican, of Ohio, charged tina
stronger reviSionS proposed by tn
Hoover commission two years ag,
were by-passed or stymied TO
some reason. President Truman
Ihe asserted, apparently came VI
with this plan after the recen
disclosures of scandals"
designations Demanded.
Representative Hoffman, Re
publican, of Michigan. said tn
plan offers only a slight oppor
tunity for a little economy ant
= efficiency, If those who administe
it do so properly" Representativ
Reed, Democrat, of New York, de
: Imanded that Secretary Snyder ant
Attorny General McGrath resign
!, Representative Meader. Repub
t t|lican, of Michigan. warned agains
4 Letting the civil service system be
d come q cloak for the spoils system
lin the selection of Internal Reve
: nue. Bureau officials.
|, Representative Dawson, Demo
tcrat, of Illinois, who led the Hous'
fight for the plan. described tn
proposal as a product Of long. ex
pert study. designed to increas
: efficiency and strengthen tn
I merit system in the bureau.