Evening star., 1953-02-01
Agencies Asked
For Views on
Workers Shift
Plan Would Transfer
$4,000 Employees
Out of D. G. Area
By HoroId B. Rooers

OuC OF y. ~. Area
By Harold B. Rogers
All Government department,
and agencies have been asked by
the Senate Government Opera.
tions Committee for report or
legislation for decentralization
of $4,000 Federal jobs from the
Washington area to points al
least $50 miles from Washington
The bill would direct the Gen.
eral Services Administration tt
transfer $4,000 positions per-
manently over a period Of three
years.
Committee letters sent out yes
terday also asked for comment
on a companion measure tc
authorize acquisition of buildings
on a so-called lease-purchase
plan.
The bill would provide for
contracts of not less than eight
years, nor more than 25 years
duration. under which the Gov
ernment could purchase private
property by making payments
like rent.
To Hold Hearings.
Committee Chairman McCar-
thy, Republican, of Wisconsin
said the committee would await
reports and hold public hearings
before acting on the two meas
ures.
I'VE have not discussed merits
of the bill with the administra-
tion," he said, "but hope to get
reaction as soon as possible"
The bills are similar to
measures which were before the
82d Congress.
The new measures, Senator
Mccarthy said, were not asked
by the new administration. They
are definitely not considered ere
quest" legislation.
Among some expected ad-
VantageS of decentralization
Senator Mccarthy explained
would be better service at less
cost if some agencies could be
moved closer to their bases OF
operation. He cited as examples
agencies handling reclamation
and Indian affairs.
Senator Mccarthy said he
personally favors the principle
Of the decentralization bill, and
would not have sponsored it un-
less he believed in it. Joining
him in introducing the measure
were nine members of his COM
mittee.
Senator Mundt, Republican
of South Dakota, said he voted
for the bill last year, but only
in it's final revised version which
would transfer the jobs to dis
tant points, at least $50 miles
from the White House.
He said r. moving jobs and
agencies only a few miles away
from Washington would not re-
lieve congestion here:
Two Reasons for Bill.
Two principal reasons for the
measure. he pointed out. were to
guard part of the Government
against possibility of an atomic
attack, and to lessen crowded
conditions.
There were some disadvantages
to sending agencies away from
Washington, as was done during
World War II, the Senator re-
called. For instance when the
Offices handling Indian affairs
and patents were moved to dis
tant cities, it was more difficult
for members of Congress to get
service for their constituents.
But some decentralization
would still be desirable, he be-
lieved, unless there are drastic
reductions in the present Federal
force here.
Asked if the Republican Party
hoped to make substantial re-
ductions, the South Dakotan re-
piled: 1--WE are going to try to do
it,"
Another lawmaker strongly in
favor of greater cuts in Govern
ment personnel here is Senator
Dworshak, Republican. of Idaho,
a committee member. He said he
not only would support the de-
Capitalization bill, but planned to
introduce legislation soon to re-
duce Federal personnel here by
several thousands"
1T ought to be cut down now
as soon as possible" he declared
Against Temporary Transfer.
Senator Hoey, Democrat. OF
North Carolina, a veteran COM
mittee member, said he had given
much thought to the problem
But he felt further study should
be given by the committee.
He looked with disfavor on any
temporary transfers of person
mel, such as had taken place
when part of the General Ac-
counting Office had been moved
to Ashville, N. c. for two or three
years. e.
Workers who are transferred
he said. ought to be given assur-
ance they will have a permanent
station. where they can purchase
homes. and establish their fam
lilies.
Among other committee mem
bers who said they wanted more
time to study the pending legisla-
ton, before making comment
we're Senators Butler. Republi-
can, of Maryland: Potter Re-
publican of Michigan and SYM
ington, Democrat, of Missouri.