A Time for Action

Another warning finger was pointed at the antiquated machinery of Congress. After a four-year study, the Committee on Congress of the American Political Science Association told Congressmen they now had two alternatives: they could go on with the present cumbersome, outdated practices, steadily surrendering leadership to the Executive, or they could reorganize and operate more effectively.

The A.P.S.A. report, published by the American Council on Public Affairs, in general paralleled the National Planning Association proposals (TIME, Jan. 29), but seemed even more detailed and realistic. N.P.A. had recommended raising Congressmen's salaries from $10,000 a year to $25,000; A.P.S.A. called this a "somewhat mythical figure," suggested $15,000. Gist of the A.P.S.A. plan:

P: Delegate to other agencies such odd jobs as running the District of Columbia, settling private claims and pensions.

P: Equip Congressional committees with experts, eliminate inactive committees, consolidate overlapping ones, create like sets of committees in both Houses.

P: Promote more effective liaison with the Executive by establishing a Legislative Council, putting Congressional secretaries in major Executive departments.

P: Curb lobbying by registering pressure groups.

P: Set an automatic tenure of possibly six years for chairmen of standing committees, or (dropping the seniority system) have them chosen by the Committee on Committees of the majority party.

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