Evening star., 1933-11-12
CHANGES STUDIED
IN SCHOOL, LIBRARY
AND PARK CONTROL
Appointment of Education
Board Members by D. C.
Heads Weighed.
AGENTS OF SENATORS
CONSIDER NEW SET.UP
Centralized Management of All
Fairgrounds in District Is
Contemplated.

Important changes in the form of
administrative control over District pub
lie schools, parks and libraries are being
considered by the agents of the Senate
District Committee, it was disclosed last
night.
Ideas said to be the subject of IA
vorable consideration by the three Gov
ernment officials who were named to
study methods and costs of District gov
ernment operation would call for:
/. The placing of the power of ap-
pointment, or at least of confirmation,
of School Board members in the hands
of District government heads. Mem
bers of the Board of Education now are
named by justices of District Supreme
Court. This suggestion also is for max
ing the boards powers advisory, rather
than legislative.
2. Capitalization of the management
Of all District parks and Fairgrounds
in division of the District govern
ment.
Three to Submit Report.
The survey is to being made by Maj
Daniel j. Donovan. District auditor
William A. Roberts, special assistant
corporation counsel, and F. J. Bailey Of
the Budget Bureau.
None of the three as yet has an
nounced any decision as to any pro-
posed plan which will be included in q
joint report to be submitted to Chair
man King of the Senate District Com
mittee in January. There have been
recurring indications, however, that the
suggestions for greater Capitalization of
control over schools, parks and play
grounds now are being favorably con-
sidered
Under the proposed new set-up, 1t is
reported, there would be created a de-
partment of education, under the su-
pervision Of director. with the ad-
visory board serving in the place of the
present Board of Education.
The idea for an education board
named by the Commissioners Is not
new.
In past years from time to time there
has been agitation for the change. In
years prior to adoption of the present
plan, it is argued on one hand, School
Board members were named by the
Commissioners.
Capitalization Sought.
The thought behind the\suggestion is
for a greater centralization of authority.
The budget for the school system, al
though its operation is separately man.
aged now must pass through the hands
of the District government heads be-
fore it goes to the Bureau Of the Bud
get, the President and Congress. Also,
it is argued, District government agents
now handle construction and mainte-
nance of school buildings and other
properties.
Frequent controversies have arisen
over preparation of plans for schools,
the preparation of school budgets, the
purchase of school sites and even over
repairs to school buildings. 1t is said,
largely due to decentralization Of
authority.
District parks and Fairgrounds now
are under three-way division of au-
thority. Some are controlled by the
District government proper, some are
under management of school officials,
and others are subject to the National
Parks Administration under the De-
partment of the Interior.
The changes now being studied would
not involve the purely Federal park
areas here, 1t Is said. They would in
clude Rock Creek Park, the Zoo and
other areas maintained out Of District
funds
Such suggestions fit into the general
plan for other changes in the organiza-
tion of the District government which,
it was revealed last week, are being
considered favorably by the Senate
agents.
Safety Department Planned.
The District Building has learned Of
ideas for creation of a department of
most of the operations of the present
offices Of the District auditor, assessor
collector Of taxes the disbursing officer,
the purchasing officer and some Of the
duties Of the superintendent of licenses
The proposed plan also would call
for Department of Safety. including
the present District Fire Department
and the metropolitan and park police
who would have charge of the policing
OF parks and Fairgrounds.
| Another suggestion favorably con-
sidered by the Senate agents cals for
creation of Public Works Department.
| involving changes in various divisions
OF the present Engineer Department
and establishment of a division of con-
struction and maintenance for all types
of pertinent operations.
This division, 1t Is said would be In
charge Of all construction work and
maintenance of the properties of the
schools, parks and Fairgrounds.