Evening star., 1938-02-05
PrettymanA AddressesClub
City Government Reorganization
Topic of Talk to Women.
r NAuGuRATING the civic discus

rNAuGuRATING the civic discus
sion program of the Women's
City Club, E. Barrett Prettyman
4 former corpora ton counsel of the
District. last night spoke on the
report Of the EfiGency Committee
On the reorganization of the District
government. Mrs. Mary Steele of the
Works Progress Administration and
Wilbur Finch. president of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Suffrage Associa-
ton. discussed the address.
Taking the view that Washington
IL 4 Federal territory. set apart pri-
marily for governmental purposes.
and not municipality with the Gov
ernment as guest industry Mr..
Prettyman said the report recon-
mends lodging the ultimate power
with the Federal Government to
avoid confusion in the case of serious
crimes. while legislative powers should
remain with the Federal Govern
ment. The establishment of strong
ordinance board is recommended. This
should he composed Of three COM
missioners appointed by the Presi-
dent and two elected officers who
shall also he representatives in Con-
eress. Departmentalization of the
functions now under the Commits
cooperation between the Metropolitan
and Federal police units.
Under the reorganization plan the
small parks and circles would be
under the control of the District. with
Rock Creek. national park, remain
ing under Federal control One Of
the advantages of departmentalizing
the work of the Commissioners would
be the elimination Of many small
boards. Such boards, dealing with
issuance OF licenses. weights and
measures and similar matter, would
be placed in municipal departments.
With much of the detail work with
which they are now occupied, dele
gated to department chiefs. Mr. Pret-
lyman said. the Commissioners would
b. able to give their attention to
the larger problems of the District.
Concentration of functions under
departments of safety. welfare. en-
eineering. health and personnel was
recommended.
Commenting on the proposed
scheme. Mr. Prettyn1an said it was
a compromise between "idealism and
expediency" and that many Of Its
provisions could no doubt be inn
proved upon. He ad3ed that agree
ment of citizens as to what is re-
ouired has been difficult in the past
zone remarkable thing about this
plan is that 81 representative citi-
zens have agreed on it, He called
attention that the District govern
ment had not been reorganized since
1873. though many serious studies
Of possible changes have been made
since that time.
Mrs. Steele spoke briefly. commentS
ing on the separation OF the depart
ments having to do with unemploy-
ment and relief and urged closer
cooperation between them. She
recommended the establishment OF
an independent board of citizens to
keep officials informed as to curren,
conditions.
Mr.. Finch indorsed the depart
naturalization Of the District of Co.
lumbia government and the concen-
tration Of executive powers. He spoke
In favor Of the city manager plan OF
government.
Mrs. E. F. Parkinson. asked why
no labor department was included
IN the plan and Mr.. Prettyman said
. minority report recommending one
had been fled, but that he did not
believe there was sufilcient need for
one at the present time to justify its
inclusion.