Evening star., 1953-01-25
Security Agency Put
Next on Eisenhower
LIST for Reforms
By Froncis P. DouoIos

Security Agency and of over
seas operations were expected in
some quarters yesterday to be
the next steps by the Eisenhow-
er administration in its plan for
Streamlining Government oper-
ationS.
The reorganization program,
on which work started last No
vember. got of with a bang
Thursday with Secretary Ezra
Taft Benson's sweeping reshuf-
fling of the Agriculture Depart
ment. That reorganization re-
Quired no legislation.
Any reorganization of FSA
may involve making a cabinet
department of that agency.
President Eisenhower has indi-
Gated he regards the admins
traitors job as of cabinet status.
He has provided that the newly
appointed administrator, Mrs.
Oveta Culp Hobby, shall attend
cabinet meetings.
The Hoover Commission rec
commended a widespread reorg-
anization of FSA. In 1850 Pres
ident Truman proposed a re-
organization plan to make FSA
into a Department of Health,
Education and Security, with
the head of the agency in the
cabinet. Congress rejected that.
Asked Study by Congress.
Overseas administration like
wise was studied by the Hoover
Commission. It made some sug-
gestions, but its only recon-
mendation was for a study by
Congress. A bill for that pur-
pose was adopted by the Senate
in July. 1851. But the measure
was recalled from the House for
reconsideration and was not fl
nally acted on.
If the expected reorganization
follows the lines suggested by
the Hoover Commission there
probably would be grouping
for efficient administration of
such activities as, Technical CO.
operation-Point Four-aid pro-
grams, the administration .of
such territories as Guam and
Samoa, the trust territories in
the Pacific, and other overseas
efforts.
Paul Hoffman, former Eco
nomic Cooperation Administra-
tor and an early supporter of
Gen. Eisenhower for the presi-
dency, at one time urged a single
overseas information agency
headed by a secretary in the
cabinet.
Benson Participated.
The Agriculture Department
reorganization illustrates how
the reorganization procedure of
the new administration operates.
That plan was drawn up initially
by task force of Temple Uni
versity's Survey on Federal Re-
organization. Secretary Benson
participated in the work.
> The plan was submitted in
December to Gen Eisenhower's
Committee on Government Re-
organization. This is headed by
Nelson A. Rockefeller, former
Assistant Secretary of State and
wartime Co-ordinator of Inter-
American Affairs. It includes
Arthur S. Flemming, president
of Ohio Wesleyan University and
now acting head of the Office
of Defense Mobilization, and DR..
Milton Eisenhower. the Presi-
dents brother, former Govern
ment administrator, now head
of Pennsylvania State College. |
This committee went over the
task force plan and is said to
have suggested some slight |
changes. The plan was then
forwarded to Gen. Eisenhower
who approved it before his in
auguration. The only delay in
putting it into effect was said
to have been caused by the one
day delay in confirmation of
Mr.. Benson as secretary.
Reforms in Commerce Dept.
Now before the reorganization
committee is said to be a plan
affecting the Commerce Depart
ment. The committee also has
q letter from Charles Sawyer
written before he left office as
Secretary of Commerce, propos-
ing a far-reaching reorganiza-
ton of that department.
One proposal which may be
carried out is that of placing the
Reconstruction Finance Corp. in
Commerce.
Another proposal is that the
Inland waterways Corp, which
operates Government owned
barge lines on the Mississippi
and other rivers, be liquidated.
RAR -