Evening star., 1934-03-07
WELFARE BOARD
CHANGE IS limited
New Plan Would Put Con-
TO! of Agency in Hands
of Director.

In a move to centralize RESPONSE
bility and authority over administra-
ton of District welfare and penal in
stitutions. the Commissioners are con-
sidering a drastic change in the Gov
ernment organization under which
such powers would be vested in well
fare director, operating under the
Board of Commissioners, instead of
in the Board of Public Welfare.
The plan was revealed as one Of the
most important elements in the new
deal" for welfare and penal admins
tration of the District which is being
developed by Commissioner George E.
Allen
Allen emphasized no definite deci-
sion has been reached and the matter
has not been taken up officially by
/ the Commissioners. but has been dis
cussed seriously for some time. The
change would require an act Of Con-
gress and 1t was indicated a move to
obtain necessary legislation may be
made at this session.
Would Be Advisory Unit.
Under the plan, the Welfare Board
would become an advisory rather
than an administrative body. This
is in keeping with the general belief
I of the new Commissioners that there
should be greater centralization OF
authority in the Commissioners, since
they ultimately are responsible for
the efficient operation of all branches
of the government.
/ Allen made it clear he was dealing
in principles of government rather
/ than in the matter of individuals in
volved y He said he did not intend to
place any discredit on the Welfare
Board but he felt drastic. new sit
uation had developed in welfare work
/ in the past year which required a new
method of operation. He added:
I have a very great admiration and
respect for the ability of members OF
the Welfare Board and for their de.
votion to the great tasks which have
increased to such an extent in the
past year. I recognize that members
of the board have been carrying on
this work entirely on their own time
and entirely without remuneration.
In my opinion. it appears from the
great increase in welfare and relief
problems. and the remarkable change
in conditions, that there must be 9
re-alignment of the functions of the
whole welfare administration under
which the welfare board would become
an advisory body rather than a grouI
of private citizens. charged with direc
administrative duties.
Favors Centralizat ton.
Il feel there must be a centraliza-
ton of authority and responsibility
in officials of the District government,
who devote their full time to the
duties of the great field of our welfare
administration"
The present form of the Welfare
Board was established by an act Of
Congress of March 16, 1926. The boare
consists of nine members appointed
by the Commissioners and Is charged
with complete and exclusive contro
and management" of the District
Workhouse at Occoquan. Va; the Dis.
trict Reformatory at Lorton, Va, the
jail, National Training School fei
Girls, Gallinger Municipal Hospital
tuberculosis Hospital, Home for Aged
and Infirm, the Municipal Lodging
House. the Industrial Home School
the Industrial Home School for Col
ored Children and the District Train.
ing School. Since that time other in.
stitutions have been developed, notable
the Children's tuberculosis Sanato-
rum.
The point is made that at present
the Commissioners have not unlimited
power over the appointment of the
director of the Welfare Board. The