The Ypsilanti Daily Press

DEMOBILIZATION
By Robert J. Manning

Washington, Sept. 19—UP—President Roosevelt today ordered the budget bureau to begin planning demobilization of the government's vast wartime machinery through liquidation of emergency bureaus and agencies and reduction of the federal payroll to a "peace footing."

"This is the time to do the planning, although the war—even in Europe—is not over," Mr. Roosevelt said in a letter to Budget Director Harold D. Smith. "Most of the planning will probably have to wait for execution until the Japs have surrendered—and there is no way of telling when that will happen. But the plans should be ready."

In planning adjustment of the government's executive branch from the needs of war to the needs of peace, Mr. Roosevelt said, three principal problems must be considered:

1. "Liquidation of war agencies and the reassignment of such permanent or continuing functions as they possess."
There are now 23 emergency war agencies. Some of the major ones, such as the Office of Price Administration and War Production Board, are expected to continue operation for some time after hostilities cease.

2. "Reduction of government personnel to a peace footing."
The federal payroll last July listed 2,938,602 civil service employees in this country, as compared to about 1,000,000 in May of 1940 when the expansion began under impetus of the defense program.

3. "The simplification and adaptation of the administrative structure to peacetime requirements."
This presumably will include realignment of the duties of regular agencies which were assigned special wartime duties by congressional or executive order.

"Some steps along these lines may be taken when the fighting ends in Europe," Mr. Roosevelt said, and urged that "immediate attention" be focussed on this phase of the government demobilization program.

In apparent reference to criticism of the Administration based on the great increase in the federal payroll, Mr. Roosevelt acknowledged that total war has required a great expansion of government activities, agencies and personnel.

But, he added, "our success on the battle fronts all over the world bears witness to the effectiveness of our efforts."

"Upon termination of hostilities, we must proceed with equal vigor to liquidate war agencies and reconvert the government to peace." Mr. Roosevelt said. "The transition should be carried forward rapidly, but with a minimum of disorder and disruption. Only careful planning can achieve this goal."

One of the latest blasts at the increased federal payroll came last week from Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, the Republican presidential nominee, who assailed what he termed "overpopulation" of government bureaus and agencies.