Evening star., 1939-07-07

ices to be rendered. This can be
accomplished, in any practical and
complete way, only by means of
centralized authority and response
bility for the entire field of local
government in all its functions.
The exceptions to central control
of administration in the cases of the
two separate establishments pro-
vided for in the bill thus rest on no
better grounds than those of con-
cessions to expediency made neces-
sary by pressure groups made up of
persons with interests to serve and
others not sufficiently informed as
to where the real interests of those
governed really lie. The arguments
commonly advanced for such sep
aration can readily be demonstrated
to be wholly specious and fallacious.
Heads Of Departments Would Be
Appointed by Administrator.
Each of the departments, includ-
ing the separate establishments,
would be under the administrative
control of a head, designated as
director" of the department except
in the case of the superintendent
of schools. The heads of the ad-
ministrative departments would be
appointed by the administrator and
be subject to his control. The heads
of the separate establishments
would be appointed by the respec-
tive boards thereof and subject to
their control. Each head would be
appointed on the sole basis of his
qualification and would be remov-
able by the authority appointing
him. Such restrictions on appoint
ments and removals would be ap-
piled as may be imposed by law or
ordinance
The heads of departments would
be required to cooperate with each
other as far as practicable in mat
ters of common interest and to
make such exchanges of services,
supplies and staffs as may promote
the interests of all. The admins
traitor would be charged with re-
sponsibility for seeing that cooper
baton is secured and for eliminating
conflicts.
Provision is made for setting up
divisions within the departments,
for the more convenient exercise of
their functions by action of the
Commissioners on recommendation
of the administrator as to any ad-
Alinistrative department, or of the
board of separate establishment
The head of a department would
be empowered to provide for the
internal organization of the divi-
sions under him, to provide the
necessary staffs, and make changes
in organization and stats with the
approval of the authority appoint
ing him, subject to the laws, ordi-
nances and appropriations pro-
vided. The heads of departments
would be required to work out the
details of internal organization, sys-
tematize their procedures. and pro-
vide for integration within their
organizations and with other de-
partments, to the end of securing
the greatest practicable degree of
effectiveness and economy in their
operations. The administrator would
be obliged to see that this Is done
and to provide specialized advice
and assistance in accomplishing it.
through the director of finance
Rules of general application to the
administrative departments would
be provided by the administrator
and regulations by the heads of de-
partments subject to the approval
OF the boards Of the departments
for which boards are provided.
The Board Of Education and the
Board Of Library Trustees would be
continued as heretofore. This, as
explained, represents a sacrifice of
principle and Of the benefits to be
derived from centralized RESPONSE
bility, for which no sufficient reasons
exist other than those of expediency
as involved in yielding to the de-
mands OF pressure groups.
In particular the present method
OF appointment of the members of
the Board of Education. by the
judges Of Federal Court, which the
bill does not undertake to change, is
unsound by any acceptable stand
ards OF effective government organi-
zation that can be applied. 1t mixes
and confuses Federal with local. and
judicial with administrative func-
tlons. 1t involves exercises of au-
thority without con-comltant re-
sponsibility, since the judges of the
court exercise no supervisory con-
troll over their appointees. These
appointees, in the absence of anv
authority to hold them responsible
for their acts. are left in a position
to exercise irresponsible, dictatoria]
authority.
Certain Administrative Units
Would Have Boards.
Certain of the administrative de-
partments, personnel, revenue, pub
TIC utilities, industrial relations. pub
lie welfare, public works and recrea-
tlon, would be provided with boards
some OF them with two or more hav-
ing different fields of jurisdiction of
subject matter within the scope OF
functions Of the departments tc
which they are attached.
The boards of administrative de-
partments would consist of members
appointed by the Board of Commits
sloners, residents of the District, who