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Ford Press Releases - Congress Hoover Type Commission, 1965-1966
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Ford Press Releases - Congress Hoover Type Commission, 1965-1966
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The original documents are located in Box D6, folder "Ford Press Releases - Congress
Hoover Type Commission, 1965-1966" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary
and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D6 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
For release December 20, 1965
Republican members of the House early next session will press for passage
of legislation to create a new Hoover-type Commission on the Organization of the
Executive Branch of the Government, Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Minority Leader, stated
today.
In the final weeks of the past session about 30 House Republicans introduced
bills to establish such a Commission on a bi-partisan basis. "The multiplication
of Federal programs and the pyramiding of Fedebal agencies as a result of legisla-
tion adopted by the first session of the 89th Congress emphasizes the need for taking
a new and thorough look at the present organization of the Executive Branch," Ford
said.
In his statement, the Republican Leader painted out that the two earlier
Hoover commissions, in the finest bi-partisan tradition, produced substantial re-
forms. In the ten years since the second Commission made its report, Government has
grown. Federal employment has risen by more than 100,000. Total Federal expendi-
ture has increased by $57 billion. Vast new agencies and functions have come into
being.
A recent survey indicates that in 1964 eight Federal departments and agencies
had paper work totaling 2½ billion pieces at a total cost of $10 million.
There are now 42 separate Federal departments, agencies and bureaus involved
in education programs. Urban programs are found in six Federal departments and the
Housing and Home Finance Agency. In the field of natural resources, four Federal
departments and numerous independent offices and commissions are involved.
There are at least 252 welfare programs today. These include 52 separate Fed-
eral economic aid programs, 57 job-training programs, and 50 Federal programs to im-
prove health. The handicapped have 39 separate programs available to them, and the
needy are offered legal aid in 12 different programs.
Such statistics make one wonder how many of these programs overlap. Is there
coordination within each field? Are worthy projects being neglected at the expense
of less important programs? Are these programs being coordinated with State and
local agencies, not to mention private organizations? The rush to enact many of
these programs into law has resulted in utter confusion. The Administration, for
example, is unable to give any estímate of the number of new employees it will take
to implement the programs enacted in 1965.
The Executive Branch of the Federal Government has become the dark continent
of American politics. There is a need for an exploration of its organization and
workings, looking toward thorough reorganization.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
For release December 20, 1965
Republican members of the House early next session will press for passage
of legislation to create a new Hoover-type Commission on the Organization of the
Executive Branch of the Government, Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Minority Leader, stated
today.
In the final weeks of the past session about 30 House Republicans introduced
bills to establish such a Commission on a bi-partisan basis. "The multiplication
of Federal programs and the pyramiding of Federal agencies as a result of legisla-
tion adopted by the first session of the 89th Congress emphasizes the need for taking
a new and thorough look at the present organization of the Executive Branch," Ford
said.
In his statement, the Republican Leader pointed out that the two earlier
Hoover commissions, in the finest bi-partisan tradition, produced substantial re-
forms. In the ten years since the second Commission made its report, Government has
grown. Federal employment has risen by more than 100,000. Total Federal expendi-
ture has increased by $57 billion. Vast new agencies and functions have come into
being.
A recent survey indicates that in 1964 eight Federal departments and agencies
had paper work totaling 2½ billion pieces at a total cost of $10 million.
There are now 42 separate Federal departments, agencies and bureaus involved
in education programs. Urban programs are found in six Federal departments and the
Housing and Home Finance Agency. In the field of natural resources, four Federal
departments and numerous independent offices and commissions are involved.
There are at least 252 welfare programs today. These include 52 separate Fed-
eral economic aid programs, 57 job-training programs, and 50 Federal programs to im-
prove health. The handicapped have 39 separate programs available to them, and the
needy are offered legal aid in 12 different programs.
Such statistics make one wonder how many of these programs overlap. Is there
coordination within each field? Are worthy projects being neglected at the expense
of less important programs? Are these programs being coordinated with State and
local agencies, not to mention private organizations? The rush to enact many of
these programs into law has resulted in utter confusion. The Administration, for
example, is unable to give any estimate of the number of new employees it will take
to implement the programs enacted in 1965.
The Executive Branch of the Federal Government has become the dark continent
of American politics. There is a need for an exploration of its organization and
workings, looking toward thorough reorganization.
COPY
February 17, 1966
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Indio, California
Dear General Eisenhower:
At a recent meeting of the House Republican Policy Committee, the enclosed statement urging the
establishment of a new, independent, hipartisan commission, patterned after the two distinguished
Hoover Commissions, was adopted. As this statement indicates, we believe there is an urgent need
for such a commission. In order to emphasize the importance of this commission and to ensure its
success, we would like now to recommend and urge that you be appointed chairman of this com-
mission.
Your experience in the Office of the President and your deep interest in the reorganization of the
Executive Department and the implementation of the various recommendations of the first and
second Hoover Commissions underscore the fact that you would be an excellent choice for chair-
man. Also, we have noted with great interest the recommendations for the reorganization of the
Executive Department that you have included in your recent book, "Waging Peace - The White
House Years - 1956-1961." As you have stated in this book, "Having lived all of my adult years
with problems of organization, it was natural that in the White House I should give attention to
the possibility of improving organization and management at higher government levels."
Certainly, your experience and ideas regarding this most important matter should not be wasted.
As chairman of a new Hoover-type commission, you could do much to bring these ideas to fruition.
We know an overwhelming majority of the American people would applaud your selection for this
important task.
Therefore, with your permission, and your health permitting, we would like to recommend to the
President and to the American people that you be designated as chairman of a commission that
would study and recommend essential reorganization and reform in the Executive Branch of our
government.
We hope that you are continuing to have a speedy recovery and that you can be present at the
next Coordinating Committee meeting in Washington, D. C. on March 28. We need your wise
counsel and guidance.
With every good wish.
Sincerely yours,
s/Gerald R. Ford, M. C.
s/John J. Rhodes, M.C.
s/Les Arends, M.C.
s/Charles Goodell, M.C.
s/Melvin R. Laird, M.C.
s/Bob Wilson, M.C.
(over)
COPY
Box FFF, Indio, California
February 25, 1966
Dear Gerry:
I am more than complimented by your suggestion that I be considered for the Chairmanship of a
projected and new-type "Hoover Commission." I personally believe that the work of Mr. Hoover's
two Commissions was highly beneficial and I agree with the conclusion that you and your associ-
ates in the House Republican Leadership have reached that the proliferation of bureaucratic agen-
cies in the past five years clearly indicates the desirability of a new bipartisan and completely
disinterested study of this development.
In considering your suggestion I have a very definite problem. My doctors have urged that I cut
down materially on activities that require close attention and supervision of administrative activi-
ty. Since 1, by nature, dislike intensely to participate in anything to which I cannot give my
very best and continuous efforts, I rather think it would be unwise for me to undertake such a
position even if it should be tendered me, Moreover, the Congress may well wish to look else-
where for a Chairman.
All of which does not lessen my sense of pride that you and your associates should consider that I
might have special qualifications for such an important task.
With warm personal regard,
Sincerely,
s/ Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Honorable Gerald Ford
Office of the Minority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday A. M., March 8, 1966
From The Office of
Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
House Republican Leader
Phone 225-3831
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower had high praise for a House Republican-sponsored
plan to establish a new Hoover Commission on Government Reorganization but declined the GOP
suggestion that he head the new Commission because of his health.
In an exchange of correspondence released today by House Republican Leader Gerald R.
Ford of Michigan, General Eisenhower said he believed the work of the two previous Commissions
headed by former President Herbert Hoover "was highly beneficial and I agree with the conclusion
that you and your associates in the House Republican Leadership have reached that the prolifer-
ation of bureaucratic agencies in the past five years clearly indicates the desirability of a new
bipartisan and completely disinterested study of this development." Ford had written Eisenhower
on February 17 urging that the General be appointed chairman of a new commission to conduct
such a study.
"In considering your suggestion," General Eisenhower said in reply, "I have a very defi-
nite problem, my doctors have urged that I cut down materially on activities that require close
attention and supervision of administration. Since I, by nature, dislike intensely to participate in
anything to which I cannot give my best and continuous efforts, I rather think it would be unwise
for me to undertake such a position, even if it should be tendered me. Moreover, the Congress
A
may well wish to look elsewhere for a Chairman."
(Note: The texts of the Ford-Eisenhower correspondence are attached.)