Evening star., 1934-05-03
Why Board of Public Welfare
Vas Chosen as Best for d. C..
Findings of 1921 Commission of Citi-
sens Which Investigated Various Meth
Ods of administration Are Recalled.

out a board. while the majority of
those experienced in public welfare
administration prefer a board with
policy y-making powers. OF course. un-
der either plan there would be an ex-
ecutive or director Of public welfare
in general administrative charge In
one case he would be responsible di-
rectly to the Commissioners; in the
other, as provided in the bill (to Gre
ate the board of public welfare) to a
board OF citizens appointed by the
Commissioners. In both cases he
would be appointed by the Commits
sioners. but under the bill he would
be nominated by the welfare board
General theories and expert judg-
mentS are valuable only as they are
tested by application to concrete cases.
The situation in the District of CO.
lumbia and its form Of government
are different from those in other COM
munities. In the ordinary city, the
mayor and governing officials are
elected by the people of the city.
They can participate effectively in
public welfare administration and ex-
press approval or disapproval at the
polls, and there is, consequently, more
reason for making the director OF
public welfare directly responsible to
the mayor, who is, in turn directly
responsible to the people. This is not
the case in the District because. as
everybody knows, the Commissioners
are appointed by the President Of the
United States.
"A well-chosen board can bring to
the problem without cost to the
public, wealth of experience, q
knowledge of business methods, a
human sympathy and understanding,
which ought to be invaluable to a
director in the solution of his difficult
ties. A board Of citizens can
be an educative and interpretive force
in the community and can help to
acquaint the public with methods and
needs in field where public educa-
ton is greatly needed. 1t can bring
the non-expert but intelligent lay
point OF view to bear upon the prob
lens Of the sick and the needy. which
IS always wholesome and often a
very necessary thing.
Subject to Domination.
1T is some times true also that a
department controlled by single ex-
ecutlve may lend itself too readily to
domination by particular persons or
group interests, either through bias
or fear Of opposition. Some times an
executive must run the risk OF de-
termined opposition to particular
course Of action which seems to him
wise. Often he may be threatened
with attempts to obtain his removal
by reason Of disagreement with his
decisions and policies. Such situ-
ations are inevitable and need to be
faced courageouly, but unfortunately
a public Official frequently becomes
special target for criticism"
When he shares the responsibility
with board Of citizens who represent
the community, it is possible to FORM
ulate policies and make special de-
cisions in accordance with community
needs. The board can bring balance,
continuity and the wisdom and eX-
perience OF several minds to the ad-
ministration of public welfare. and IT'S
members. being unpaid, have less per-
sonal stake in controversies that may
arise"
The commission which arrived at