PLAN REORGANIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

As a relief from the present extravagancy of the Government, a bill is now before Congress proposing that the Department of the Interior be changed to the Department of Public Works and that all government construction of an engineering, architectural, or similar nature operated for the benefit, of the public be concentrated in that department. In order to support this bill a National Public Works Department Association has been organized at Washington which has the support of both Governor Lowden and Governor Coolidge. Professor S. W. Swain of the Engineering School is in charge of the New England campaign to further the movement in favor of the new department.

"To every tax payer who is appalled at the present extravagance of the government," said Professor Swain in an interview for the CRIMSON, "the proposal cannot help but be welcome. Efficiency and economy are what we need in government work and this bill is a stop in that direction.

"The United States government at the present time is probably the largest constructor in the world. The estimates for architectural, engineering, and public works for 1921 amount to $788,816,229. Under the present organization, the expenditure of this sum is under the control of 39 separate agencies. There is a duplication and overlapping of functions; the departments doing similar work compete with one another before Congress for appropriations, and afterwards compete with each other for labor, materials and supplies.

"No business concern could organize this work on such a plan and expect success, or even solvency. In the case of the government there is only solvency because the poor tax payer pays the bill, no matter how high it is.

"The Jones-Reavis Bill proposes to consolidate this construction work, not entirely, but so far as practical, in a single department of Public Works, with a responsible head who shall be a member of the Cabinet.

Co-ordination Expected.

"The bill should result in a great saving, by avoiding duplication and by having every king of work done by the agency best fitted to do it. Contracts and specifications would be unified, and the purchase of supplies and materials could be made with much more economy than when scattered through many departments. The government would get much more for every dollar expended than it does now.

"The bill is simple, practicable, and already has strong support. If later it is found that other departments of the government should be coordinated, this can be brought about by taking a similar step, without retracing this one. In other words, this bill would be a step in the direction of increased government efficiency and economy."