Evening star., 1936-02-09
COCKEY SUGGESTS
COUNTY MANAGER
Prince Georges Commits
sioner Believes Added e.
ficiency Would Result.
BY a staf Correspondent of The star.

BY staff Correspondent of The STIR.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md, Febru-
ary "a county-manager form OF
government for Prince Georges County
was projected into the realm Of pos
sibilities today as Commissioner VIM
ton D. Cockey announced favorable
attitude toward it and invited con-
sideration of the subject by civic
organizations.
While withholding q definite COM
mitment of advocacy OF the county,
manager system, Commissioner Cockey
said he would like to place all depart
ments and boards over which the
county commissioners have jurisdic-
ton under one administrative head, to
whom county employees would be re-
sponsihle. A county manager would
be the answer to this proposal, he
indicated.
Sees Greater Efficiency.
''I have come to the conclusion, after
giving the subject considerable
thought, that the consolidation of the
county'S services and activities into
the hands of one able and experienced
man would result in greater efficiency
to the people and a saving to the
taxpayers" Cockey declared.
Under our present system of gov
ernment we are giving good service
to the people at cost not out Of pro-
portion to other counties of like popu-
lation and like economic conditions,
but under a well-qualified admins
traitor, such as county manager. We
could render better service at lower
cost to the property owners" he con-
tinued.
One of the principal advantages Of
q county manager would be demon
strated in the making up of the an
nual budget for the various depart
ments, the commissioner said. The
county manager would obviate the
practice of each department and unit
sending to the county commissioners
its estimate of the funds required dur
ing the year, the duty falling upon
the administrative head to prepare
his own estimates for each depart
ment and unit and submit them to
the commissioners.
Points to Schools.
This one change would result IN
savings because it would eliminate
many elements which go into the max
ing of a budget by confining this
job to one man, who could more easily
deny requests for funds when be-
lieved unnecessary.
AN outstanding example of one
man management is the superinten-
dent of schools of Prince Georges
County" Cockey declared, adding the
efficiency of the school system has long
been cited as a model by well in
formed authorities.
A manager would prove of greater
advantage, however, by the giving Of
his full-time services to carrying out
the instructions and policies of the
county commissioners, Cockey de-
clared. He pointed out that although
the authorities give unstintingly of
their time, the county commissioners
meet but once week and they can
not be expected to administer the af-
fairs of the county with the same
knowledge Of each situation and con-
dition as full-time county manager.
The commissioner pointed to
Arlington County, Va, which has a
county manager, and Alexandria, Va,
which has a city manager, as having
made progressive steps in the direc-
ton Of low-cost and efficient govern
ment.
Endorses Basic Idea.
He was careful, however, not to In.
dorse the administrations of the two
Virginia managers because, he en-
phasized, he had not made a complete
study Of their work.
1T is the basic idea that I indorse,"
Cockey declared in making plain that
he only was seeking to obtain the
best, most efficient and progressive
form of government for Prince
Georges"
The commissioner said he hoped the
subject would be debated throughout
the county, so that a fair expression
OF opinion can be obtained by the
authorities.