Evening star., 1939-02-09
; Million Saviinq
Seen in District
Reorganization
Kennedy DiseIoses
Figure; Wholesale
DismissuIs Secuted
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

ReOrganlZatlOn OF the municipal
government as set forth in the Grif-
fenhagen plan would save District
taxpayers at least 100000 a year,
1t was revealed today by Represen-
tative Kennedy, Democrat, of Mary
land.
No estimate of savings was indi-
Gated in the Griffenhagen report,
but Representative Kennedy said
E. o. Griffenhagen, head of the
Chicago firm of municipal experts
who developed the new plan, told
him confidentially the figure would
not be less than 100000 a year.
Mr.. Kennedy was responsible for
the study Of the District government
by the Griffenhagen firm which re-
suited in the reorganization plan.
He also is chairman of a special
subcommittee of the House District
Committee charged with considering
the proposed new set-up.
People Should Know"
Il may be talking out of school,"
he said, "but I believe the people
OF Washington should know what
this reorganization plan will save
them in taxes. After all, that is
one OF the important elements. Mr..
Grlffenhagen said the savings should
amount to at least S3,0000 900 a year.
That figure was given to me con-
f1dentially, but I believe 1t is too
vital to the taxpayers to withhold.
That's why am talking"
Representative Kennedy also Wig
orously denied published reports
that adoption of the reorganiza-
ton plan would cause more than
1000 present employees in the NUM-
cipal government to lose their Jobs.
There will be no wholesale dismis-
sal or firing Of present employees if the
reorganization plan is adopted" he
assured. 1T was not my intention
IN proposing reorganization to
cause wholesale dismissal of en-
ployes. There are too many people
out of work now to even think of
such a plan"
Representative Kennedy eX-
planned, however, that with adop-
ton Of the reorganization plan it
might be possible eventually to op-
crate the District government with
fewer employees.
1t is contemplated he pointed out,
not to fill vacancies caused by
deaths, retirements or designations
as a means of reducing existing per-
sonnel. In that way, he said, the pay
roll can be reduced gradually without
turning present employees out on
the streets to look for another job.
Sees Full Operation Delayed.
Should the reorganization plan
be adopted" said Mr.. Kennedy. 'it
will take several years to put it
into full operation. In that time
it is likely enough of the present
employees will be out of the serv-
ice by natural developments to
prevent any dismissals. Even if such
situation does develop there is
no intention to fire anybody be-
cause the District government is
reorganized A place will be found
for every one now in the District
service who wants to remain"
Although Mr.. Griffenhagen and
his associates have completed the
reorganization plan Representative
Kennedy said they yet have an
other job to do-the preparation
of two graphic charts depicting
the existing organization of the
municipal government and the setup
under the proposed reorganization
plan. These charts are expected to
be finished within two or three days.
Mr.. Kennedy now is making prep
arations to start public hearings on
the reorganization plan early next
week. Meantime he will circulate
1000 printed copies of the Griften-
hagen report to give those persons
interested an opportunity to study
the proposed new setup in advance
of the hearings.