Evening star., 1940-09-12
Shake-up Likely
In Inspection
Service Here
D. 6. Commissioners
Expected to Act
On Oehmunn Plan

Without the need for legislation
the Commissioners soon may order
bit Of reorganization of the munic-
ipal government, affecting the build
ing, plumbing, smoke and electrical
inspection division, which some off,
cials say would result in more eff
cient operation and improved public
service.
The plan was submitted to the city
heads by Col. John w. Oehmann,
building inspector, who recently was
placed in direct control over all four
inspection services as a result of
the resignation from District service
because of poor health, of Capt.
Hugh P. Dram, formerly director of
inspection.
Col. David McCoach, jr., Engineer
Commissioner, indicated he would
recommend adoption Of the plan to
the Board of Commissioners, but the
proposal has been sent back to Col
Oehmann for additional informa-
ton as to extra space that might be
needed for proposed consolidation of
specialized units Of the personnel OF
the several Offices.
Feels Larger Staff Needed.
Col Oehmann and heads Of the
plumbing and electrical inspection
services numerous times have de-
clared the need for increased per-
sonnel. Under the present central
ization Of the four offices under Col
Oebmann, he now has 81 inspectors
While he declared the proposed re-
alignment of the staffs would pro-
duce better service and greater con-
venience to the public, he still be-
lieves a larger staff Of inspectors is
needed to give the proper measure
Of service.
He proposed that the various serv-
ices be divided into three main clas-
sifications: Engineering, administra-
tive and inspectional, and as to
latter he declared the value of such
consolidation of the now separate
inspection services would be "un-
measurable" He added:
1T would make possible a reas-
signment of duties to prevent over
tapping of inspections and assign
ment Of inspectors to various ac-
tivities from time to time as the
exigencies of the service demanded
Sees Better Service for Public.
I'm addition to a more efficient
operation of the Department of In
spections, the consultations out
lined would be exceptionally ad-
vantageous to the general public
doing business with the department.
Instead of an applicant visiting four
different Offices (meaning the build
ing, plumbing, smoke and electrical
ofnces) as is now the case, he could
obtain all desired information and
approvals at one location"
Under his proposal for an en-
gineering division this section would
include the plan examiners of the
present building, plumbing and elec-
trical divisions. In this way con-
sideration OF all plans would be
consolidated in one room instead of
in three different offices.
Under his plan for an administra-
tive section this would be headed
by a chief clerk and would include
the personnel of the clerical forces
of all the divisions now under Col
Oehmann's supervision. "A physical
consolidation of the clerical per-
sonnet" said Col. Oehmann, would
make it possible to issue, record
and file all types of permits at one
location. thereby increasing eff
cheney by 100 per cent. Further
more, the consolidation Of all cleri-
cal personnel Of the department in
one group would make it possible
to assign these clerks where the
work was the heaviest"