Evening star., 1939-07-18
D. T.. Officials
Welcome Delay
On Merger Bill
Subcommittee Vote
Defers Plans of
Kennedy and Allen
By JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHlNN.
Commissioners Hazen and Nc
Coach along with other District
officials, privately rejoiced today
over the decision of the Reorganiza-
ton Subcommittee of the House
District Committee to postpone until
the next session of Congress further
consideration of the revised Griffen-
hagen plan for undermining and
streamlining the municipal govern
ment
Commissioner George E. Allen,
whom President Roosevelt recently
reappointed primarily to direct the
carrying out of any reorganization
plan Congress might enact at the
present session, apparently was one
of the few District officials who was
unhappy over the delay.
The subcommittee late yesterday
effectively buried the much-dis-
cussed reorganization plan until
January, at least, at the suggestion
of Representative Nichols, Demo-
crat, of Oklahoma, who said a
shakeup of the municipal govern
ment involved big problem" and
should be done Cautiously"
Kennedy Dissents.
There was only one dissenting
voice on the five-man subcommittee
to the proposal of Mr. Nichols. 1t
came from Representative Kennedy,
Democrat, of Maryland, the sub
committee chairman, who for several
na ~ 70 y,
present municipal setup as means
of increasing efficiency and econ
omy.
Mr.. Kennedy said failure to put
the plan into effect without further
delay would cost District taxpayers
at least $4,000 day in "unneces-
sary'' expenses.
In pigeonholing the plan, the sub
committee instructed the Commits
sloners to make critical study of
Its various features and submit their
views in writing not later than De-
cember l. The Commissioners also
were told if they did not agree with
the plan as embodied in Mr.. Ken
nedy's reorganization bill to submit
an alternative proposal
Some of the subcommittee mem
bers who do not approve the reor-
ganization setup outlined in the bill
likewise propose to draw up plans
embodying their own ideas. These
include Representatives Dirksen of
Illinois and Bates of Massachusetts,,
Republicans, and McGehee, Demo-
rrqt nf Micciccinpi
The subcommittee decision to de-
lay action until the next session of
Congress came after an hours con-
ference with the Commissioners and
group of other District officials.
Among them were Capt. H. C.
Whitehurst, director of highways;
Corporation Counsel Elwood H Seal,
Traffic Director William A. Van Du-
ger, Police Supt. Ernest w. Brown
and Richmond B. Keech, vice presi-
dent of the Public Utilities Commits
sion
Seal Sees "Camoufage."
Mr. Seal, who was one of the
members of the so-called kitchen
cabinet" at the District Building
which the Commissioners appointed
to make a hurried analysis of Mr..
Kennedy's bill, told the subcommit-
tee the plan was merely an attempt
to put an administrative form of
government into effect in the Dis
trict through "camouflage."
The Kennedy bill provides for
continuation of the present board of
three Commissioners as the govern
ing body of the District. and crea-
ton of new Office of city admin
istrator as the executive head of the
reorganized government.
Under the proposed setup. Mr.. Seal
declared, the Commissioners would
have to go through" the city ad-
minlstrator to make contact with
any department head.
Sees Long "Muddle."
In my opinion" he said, 1T will
take so years to get the District gov
ernment Strengthened out under the
proposed reorganization plan. 1t
would leave the District in a muddle
throughout that period
Frank o. Everett. vice president of
the Chicago firm of Griffenhagen g.
Associates, which developed the
original reorganization plan, told the
subcommittee he was "astounded" by
some Of Mr.. Seals remarks. He said
provisions in the Kennedy bill are
very definite and clear-cut and
speak for themselves"
I'm particularly surprised at the
comment of Mr.. Seal on the powers
Of the Commissioners" he declared.
II asked Mr.. Seal to cooperate on
the early draft of the reorganization
plan. The only response from him
was a set of enumerated powers for
the Commissioners, which he sug-
-" gested be incorporated in the bill.
The particular setup of powers in
the bill are those supplied by Mr..
Seal, with some editing"
In fact he said, I'm inclined to
believe newspaper headlines which
indicated the so-called kitchen cab
met is trying to pick all the flaws it
possibly can in the reorganization
plan. They seem to be seeing goats
in every corner"
Statement Protested.
Representative Dirksen objected to
that statement He said he did not
.believe it was proper one for the
record.
IN withdraw it, then," remarked
Mr.. Everett.
'As far as I'm concerned it can
stay IN the record" retorted Mr.
Seal.
Mr.. Dirksen as well as Mr.. McGe-
ace joined Mr.. Nichols in urging a
delay in action on the reorganiZatiOn