Evening star., 1944-03-03
HeariingP|edged
On nReorganizinq
Welfare Board
D'AIesundro Acts
As McReynoIds
Resigns Post

after the resignation of Frederick w.
McReynolds, chairman Of the Board
LOT Public Welfare, In protest against
proposed legislation favored by the
Commissioners to transfer admins
trative power of the board to them
SELVES.
From Chairman D'Alesandro OF a
House District subcommittee on
health, hospitals and welfare came
a promise last night that his group
would hold full and thorough" hear
ings on the pending legislation to re-
organize the board.
Meanwhile, Edgar Morris, acting
chairman of the Welfare Board, an
nounced that he expected to call a
meeting of the board early next week
to discuss Mr.. McReynold's resigna-
ton. Members of the board appar-
emily were taken by surprise over
the resignation and Mrs. Milton w.
the resignation and one member,
Mrs. Milton w. King, stated she
would resign if the board were re
duced' to an advisory capacity.
Vacancy to Be Filled.
After the Commissioners had ac-
cepted the resignation, Commissioner
Guy Mason promised the vacancy
would be filled promptly"
When Mr.. D'Alesandro was told of
the resignation, he commented:
IF Mr.. McReynolds has any in
formation that would be helpful to
the committee as to how the Welfare
Board operates or how the system
would work under the proposed bill,
we would be glad to hear from him.
I will invite him to appear as a wit
ness when the hearings are opened"
Chairman Randolph of the House
District Committee approved plans
Iof the D'Alesandro subcommittee to
proceed with plans for the hearings.
The fact that the Commissioners
have sent up proposed legislation
does not mean necessarily that the
committee will approve or disap-
prove of it," he said. The commit
tee does not act hastily, but arrives
at its conclusions after the issues
have been developed a hearings and
after committee study. This appears
to be a matter of importance and 4
am glad to know the subcommittee
plans to schedule full hearings on
the subject"
Stefan Visits Institutions.
Representative Stefan, Republic
an, of Nebraska. who recently voiced
criticisms that members of the We'll
fare Board were mot active enough"
in visiting institutions under their
charge, said he hoped it would be
possible to arrive at some reason-
able compromise" between the po-
sition Of the Welfare Board and
that Of the commissioners.
Il am sorry that Mr.. McReynolds
saw fit to resign" he said. II
think that was a mistake, for II the
issue is coming up he could be IN a
position to speak for the board in
presenting its side of the case. If
the results will be as he describes
them, we do not want to pass this
bill"
Mr.. Stefan added that If the
Commissioners were being handi-
capped in their work because of any
unnecessary division of authority
that, too, should be gone into thor
oughly. He praised the long service
Of Mr.. McReynolds, emphasizing
that Welfare Board members serve
without pay, and stressed also the
value to the District of the services
OF its citizens boards.
Regrets Expressed.
AS member of the board, Mrs.
King said, Il regret more than
can say the resignation of Mr.. Nc
Reynolds. think the city owes him
a great deal" Mrs. Radford Moses
said the board would miss Mr.. Nc
Reynolds very much, for he is a
very fine and able person"
John r. Pinkett, another member
OF the board, also expressed oppo-
sition to the proposed legislation,
saying he felt the board should be
similar to the Board OF Education
and Recreation Board. A. j. Driscoll
commented he thought the board
was doing a great service" while
Mrs. John j. Hasley termed the res
ignation very regrettable," and
said the board should carry on and
do the best it could"
Mr.. Morris said the resignation
took the Board of Welfare, which
met with Mr.. Mason yesterday
morning, by surprise. The meeting
had been set more than a week ago
to discuss recommendation of the
board for the acquisition of prop
erty for a new Training School for
Girls near Laurel, Md, and ground
for new receiving home for chill
dren.
Poles to Be Honored
Nine Ciechanousko u,ifo nf tho