Evening star., 1939-08-13
By JAMES E. CHINN.

Departing for two-month trip
to Alaska, Representative Kennedy,
Democrat, of Maryland last night
served notice on those endeavoring
to develop new plans for reorganiz-
ing the District Government he
did not intend to permit his own
plan to be "sabotaged.
I'm not welded to my present
plan" he declared, but I don't pro-
pose to see it torn apart, especially
by those who may have personal
motive for doing so. I am willing,
however, to accept any suggestions
for improvements"
AS a member of the House Dis
trict Committee, Representative
Kennedy has worked two years to
revamp the municipal government
in the interest of efficiency and
economy, but the ultimate result
his reorganization bill-was buried
by the subcommittee of which he
is chairman-until the return Of
Congress in January. Mr.. Ken
nedys bill embodies many of the
features Originally recommended by
the Chicago firm of Griffenhagen
& Associates which made an ex-
haustive study Of the municipal
eetup at the direction of Congress.
City Administrator.
In present form the Kennedy bill
would retain the present commission
form of government, but the three
Commissioners would constitute a
governing body and new SIG, ,000-a-
year official-a city administrator
would be created to serve as the
executive ofi1cer.
Since the adjournment of Con-
gress. Chairman King of the Senate
District Committee and the Com
missioners, with the cooperation of
certain department heads of the
District government, have started
work on new plan OF reorganiza-
ton. Senator King said he favored
sensible" program that would
give the Nations Capital y type
of government its prestige" de-
serves.
Several members Of Representa-
tive Kennedy's subcommittee also
are at work on independent reorgan-
ization plans. These include Repre-
sentatives Bates of Massachusetts,
and Dirksen of Illinois, both Re-
publicans. The latter already has
revealed the tentative outline of his
plan which would retain the COM
mission form of government but in
crease the number of Commissioners
from three to five and require them
to serve as the responsible heads of
specified municipal agencies. He
vigorously opposes the appointment
Of either city manager or so-called
"city administrator" to act as the
executive officer.
Kennedy Firm.
Representative Kennedy, however,
said he would not abandon that
provision in his bill calling for a
city administrator. II think that is
the most important feature" he
declared. "A city administrator Is
just as necessary in the municipal
setup Of the District as the Presi-
dent OF the United States is to
the national Government. The Dis
trict, like the Nation. should have
but one executive head"
En- route to Alaska, Mr.. Ken
nedy said he would stop over IN
Chicago long enough to confer with
E. o. Grif1enhagen, head of the
firm which made the study from
which grew the reorganization plan
he sponsored IN the House.
II want to learn from Mr.. Griffen-
hagen" he said, amy ideas ne may
have for improving my BILL
While in Alaska, Representative
Kennedy said he also planned to
give further study to his proposed
reorganization.
Regardless of what is done in
Washington while I'm away" he
declared, Il feel satisfied the next
session of Congress will put through
a reorganization plan that will not
differ essentially from the one set
forth in my bill. President Roose-
welt has indicated his approval OF
my plan and I have no reason tc
I believe he will change his mind be.
fore Congress returns"
Mr.. Kennedy is on his way te
Alaska to study the fishing industry
= there. He is a ranking member o.
the House Merchant Marine ane
Fisheries Committee.