Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-02

result, steps tDere taken more
than a month ago to repise the
plan to overcome these objec-
tons. About month ago Presi-
dent Roosevelt reappointed
George E. Allen as Commissioner
primarily to direct the carrying
out OF the reorganization plan.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Consolidation of the police and
fire departments into department
OF public safety Is one of the latest
revlslons in the plan to reorganize
the District government, it was
learned last night from an authori-
tatiVe source
The original reorganization plan
as developed for the House District
Committee by the firm of Griffen-
hagen and Associates, of Chicago,
contemplated separate departments
for the police and fire services. The
proposed unification, it is under
stood, has been embodied in the
reorganization setup at the sugges-
ton OF President Roosevelt, who has
taken a keen interest in the move
to streamline the municipal gov
eminent.
Details of the proposed consolida-
ton are included in a bill which
Representative Kennedy. Democrat,
OF Maryland, plans to introduce this
week to put the reorganization plan
into effect and to give the District
a new organic act.
Mr. Kennedy is chairman of the
Reorganization Subcommittee of
the House District Committee, an
assignment he was given at the be-
ginning of the present session of
Congress because of his previous
efforts to increase the efficiency of
the municipal services and at the
same time reduce the cost of the
local government.
Brown Seen Likely Head.
While the proposal for consoiida-
ton of the police and fire depart
mentS does not indicate who would
head the new department of public
safety, it is likely the position would
be given to Maj. Ernest w. Brown,
present superintendent of police.
Fire Chief Porter probably would
serve as an assistant head of the
department.
The original reorganization plan
has been revised several times to
overcome objections to certain of its
features by civic and business Or
carnations and also to carry out
the ideas of the President as ex.
pressed to Mr.. Kennedy at a White
House conference more than a
month ago.
The functions of the proposed de-
partment of public safety would
comprise all administrative activities
IN relation to fire prevention and
hre extinguishment, the mainte-
nance OF peace and order as in
VOWED in the service of police patrol
CRIME prevention and detention
street traffic control and highway
safety, including the promotion OF
modern and adequate traffic safety
programs.
Combining the police and fire
departments is one of the llth-
hour revlslons in the original mod
ernization plan which Mr.. KENNEDY
proposes to discuss with Commits.
sloner George E. Allen before h:
introduces the reorganizat ton bill ir
the House.
Mr.. Kennedy had planned to con-
Ter with Mr.. Allen Friday, but
the Commissioner was too busy AT
the Capitol trying to reconcile con
1erees on the appropriation and tax
bills, so the meeting was POSTPONED
Another effort will be made to hold
the conference before the middle OF
this week.
Mr.. Kennedy is particularly
anxious to ascertain Commissions,
Aliens views in advance of intro
duction of the bill because the
President virtually drafted" him
back into the District service to
direct the carrying out of any re-
organization legislation Congress
may enact at this session.
Another imprtant change in the
original reorganization plan re.
vealed by The Star several week;
ago would increase the Board al
Commissioners from three to five
members. Mr.. Roosevelt is under.
stood to have suggested this al.
teration in order to give the dis
franchised residents of the District
greater representation on the board
which, under the revised reorpani-
zation setup, would serve as the
legislative or governing body of the
city. A city manager or city ad.
ministrator would be appointed by
the Commissioners to serve as the
executive head of the government
The original reorganization plar
provided for a council of seye,
members appointed by the Presiden
to act as the governing body. Their,
was an alternative recommendation
however, providing for election O
the council members on the basis O
proportional representation shoule
Congress decide to grant the Distric
the privilege of local suffrage.
Other changes were made in tn,
original plan to preserve the au.
tonomy of the Board OF Education
the Board Of Public Library Trustee,
and several other independent
agencies.
Despite the prospect of adjourn.
ment OF Congress by August /
Representative Kennedy is hopefu
that in the meantime the reorgan,
ization plan will be approved in part
at least, SO steps can be taken dur.
ing the current fiscal year to pu
some OF the changes into effect.
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