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Show DISCOURAGING OUTLOOK. "The most pessimistic report yet heard on reorganizing of the business busi-ness machinery of the 'United States Government comes from a source which lends it high authority Representative Rep-resentative Williamson, of South Dakota, Da-kota, who has served two years as chairman of the House Committee on Expenditures in the Executive De- j partment," says the Baltimore Sun editorially: "From time immemorial the machinery ma-chinery of Government operation has been said to be antiquated, wasteful and inefficient, and bureaucracy has been attacked as standing obstinately in the way of betterment, but no criticism crit-icism of the system has been more severe than that of Representative Williamson after fresh study of the subject. His address a few days ago at Louisville is filled with reflections upon the Government's business organization. or-ganization. 'It has become loaded with multiplied layers of barnacles that show a surprising capacity for hanging on.' Presidents who have startd bravely to reform it have giv- j en up in despair. With approximately approximate-ly 590,000 employes on the payroll, 'a staggering total' in peace time, 'overlapping of functions by various departments and bureaus is the rule rather than the exception.' In no case where the Williamson committee's work would 'result in diminishing in the least degree the prestige of the bureau or its head' did it receive the slightest cooperation,' says M r . Williamson. "Nor does Mr. Williamson hold out much hope of correcting conditions. President Harding evolved 'a . plan which looked beautiful on paper.' It was riddled by 'bombs, shells and shrapnel' from 'snipers in the departments.' depart-ments.' 'The canny Calvin Coolidge readily detected the sticks of political politi-cal dynamite' concealed in the scheme and steered clear of it. Mr. Hoover is pledged to reorganization by his party platform, but Mr. Williamson sees difficulties in giving him the necessity authority. It is left to the tender mercies of Congress, which shows little or no interest in the business." busi-ness." The arrogance of officialism has wrecked many governments by oppression op-pression and high taxation. If it is not checked, there is no reason why history cannot repeat itself in this nation. |