Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-01
District Heads
Reorganize'
For Joint Action
But Division of Work
Appears Similar
To Old Lineup

Under the leadership of Commits
sloner George E. Allen, the Board of
Commissioners yesterday "reorga-
nized" their functions-though just
how much real change, if any, was
made was the subject of debate
today.
They adopted formal order pro-
viding, in effect, that hereafter none
OF the District departments shall be
under the direction of any one Com
missioner, but rather all three. This
was duly noted on the minutes of the
board.
The order also stated that no al
location of departments would be
made"
However, it is understood that
Commissioner Hazen, who was re-
elected president of the board, will
assign" papers and problems of the
various departments to individual
commissioners. each one being ex-
pected to report back to the board
at the next meeting, time permit
ting.
Furthermore, there is good reason
70 believe that Mr.. Hazen will route
the papers to the several Commits
sloners according to the same lineup
that prevailed before Mr.. Allen re-
signed last September /.
Joint Action in Past.
One OF the Commissioners en-
phatlcally insisted that the Distric,
business always has been done BY
the Board Of Commissioners in the
past and not by individual Com
mlssloners, even though the time
honored system was for certain de-
partments formally to be allocated
to Commissioner-for direct su-
pervision. All formal decisions. he
emphasized have been made by the
board.
The question was raised several
months ago by an advocate of end
ing the commission form of govern
ment. At that time law books were
quoted to show that under the Dis
trict's organic act, the three Com
missioners were required to func-
ton as a board. Some observers
say a sort of senatorial courtesy
led the board, in recent years, to
make more definite division of
''prerogatives" than had been Gus
tomary, but that the board. had
been known to override Commits
sioner even on matters which he
supervised.
The formal order states: ut was
decided by the Commissioners that
the procedure to be followed in
handling the business of the Dis
trict government would be that the
heads of departments would be re-
sponsible to the Board of Commits
sloners. who will act on all matters
as board, and that no ALLEGATION
of departments would be made. The
secretary (Geoffrey NJ Thornett
will be responsible for co-ordinating
the routine business"
In other words. it appeared that
it will not be necessary, ordinarily,
even for Commissioner Hazen to
assign the boards matters for su-
pervisory study since this would be
done for him by Mr.. Thornett.
Allen Raises Issue.
Mr.. Allen, who raised the issue,
agreed that all papers and questions
dealing with engineer divisions OF
the District would continue to be
sent to Engineer Commissioner pa-
vid McCoach. And, if present plans
carry, all matters dealing with police,
fire, traffic, weights and measures,
the tax assessor, tax collector. dis
bursting officer and auditor still will
be assigned" to Mr.. Hazen, and all
those dealing with health, welfare,
law, schools and the purchasing Off
Ger to Mr.. Allen. This is the same
lineup as prevailed before Mr.. Allen
resigned last fall.
Under the plan, President Hazen
could assign welfare matter to
Col McCoach. though he indicated
this is not likely.
The issue was raised when Mr..
Allen noted that Mr.. Hazen had
taken over supervision of the cor
poration counsel's Office. which was
under Mr.. Aliens supervision prior
to his resignation last fall. Law
problems, it was indicated, hereafter
will be assigned to Mr.. Allen.