Congressional Control vs. Executive Flexibility

Few reorganization proposals have been as pregnant with major policy considerations as the President's plan to reorganize U. S. defense administration, presented to the Congress April 3, 1958, modified and passed July 24, and signed into law August 6. This four-part analysis concentrates on those policy aspects-the blend of knowledge and attitudes that is formed by the defense organization from the varied contributors to policy: the military, other specialists, civilian administrators, political executives, spokesmen for related federal programs both foreign and domestic, and Congress. The plan is seen first in the light of general ideas about organization, then as it may change Defense Department planning and operations, third as it is expected to affect the dominance of the military by civilians, i. e. specialist views by generalist considerations, and finally as it could shift the balance of legislative-executive responsibility. The Review-accustomed to bringing outside views to administrators-in this article provides instead public administration insights on a question of importance to the general citizenry.