Evening star., 1946-01-03
Civil Service
For Arlington
Recommended
Federation Wants
Charter Provision
For City Personnel

The Arlington County Civic Fed
Grafton last night adopted three ad-
ditional city charter recommended
tions, including a provision for
department of personnel to estab-
lish civil service pension and re-
tirement system for all city en-
ployes.
Under this plan, the new de-
partment would insure that all ap-
pointments and promotions of city
employees would be made on merit
and would provide tenure in Office
during satisfactory service.
A personnel board also would be
appointed by the council within one
year of its election, specifically
charged with advising the council
and city manager on matters con-
corning personnel administration:
holding competitive examinations
for all positions; publicizing such
examinations; maintaining a claSsi-
fication plan based on duties, au-
thorlty and responsibility of city
employees; provide for appropriate
in-service training for all employees,
and preparing city employe pay
plan.
Model Charter Advised.
Il 1t was recommended further that
the Charter Commission use model
city charter, prepared by the Ma
tional Municipal League, as a basis
for procedure in drafting recon-
mendations.
Clement Johnston, chairman of
the federations Incorporation Com
mittee, was instructed to present
these additional points at the next
Charter Commission hearing.
/ The federation also adopted a
: motion requesting Arlington's repre-
e sentatives in the General Assembly
to sponsor legislation for opening
! and closing hours for polls on elec-
S ton days. The hours favored we're
am. to pm.
Criticizing the Arlington School
e Board for the lack of positive &C
y ton to get well-planned building
i program under way" the federation
approved a resolution recommend
ing that such a program be effected
School Tests Criticized.
> George Hieronymus, school COM
l. mittee chairman, criticized the
{ school testing system, stating
mental ability tests conducted by
school principals do not appear to
D. be well co-ordinated or controlled
on a countrywide basis, nor have
. the findings been used to make
: overall appraisal of the success OF
u instruction"
Il simultaneously with the organ
:, ization's censure School Supt.
- Fletcher Kemp announced plans to
D. construct new six-room elemen-
tary school at Fourteenth and South
~ Quincy streets to accommodate in
- creased enrolment at Patrick
=. Henry, Bancroft and Harrington
= Schools.
- This project, he said. is part of
proposed program to erect three
or four new elementary schools this
year. estimated to cost between
$3.50, 900 and s40o,oOO The work, he
added, is contingent on the avail
ability of construction materials.
Award to Be Made.
committee was named to bring
in a nomination at the next meeting
for the annual award of The Eve
ming Star Cup for the person max
10 ing the best civic contribution dur
le ing the last year. Other nomina-
81 tions made will be made from the
J. floor. The award will be made at
,! the March session.
10 Those chosen include Alvin See
bode, DR.. Victor Meyes, Mrs. Ruby
y Simpson, Charles Cobbins and Miss
ID Mary Burr.
n Opposing what is termed "unwar-
= ranted deviation from the county
'. zoning plan" to permit construction
Is of S250,000 doctors clinic in the
ct 2200 block of North Glebe road. the
federation adopted a resolution pro.
IS testing the County Boards rezonine
n, action.
e. Introduced by Mr.. Seebode. the
y motion was supported by S. A. Wood
j. who declared that encouraging
of spot" rezoning in Arlington nov
m might bring future undesirable
n business building into the county.
r William Tickle, Fort Myer Height:
in Citizens Association, objected tt
the resolution on the grounds tha
~, some departures from the master
90 90 zoning plan are necessary for count.
-. 20 progress.
m -, The Hospital and Public Health
y n yrt
. of the Executive Committee, wa
!, directed to inquire into the ade
Va quacy of present county health ia