Evening star., 1949-11-13
Virgiinia0fficia|s
Urged TO Seek
Report Cites Need
For improvement
At Top Level
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. ia
need for "top level coordination
in the State government was
stressed today by Charles j. Duke,
jr., chief of the Governors re-
organization staff.
"A sound basis has been estab-
lished in the State government
for financial controls and for
personnel management" Mr..
Duke said, but he found serious
deficiencies in the facilities for
planning and for control and CO.
ordination at the top level"
"If every opportunity for econ
omy and greater efficiency is
to be recognized, explored, and
seized" DR.. Duke said, 'it is es-
sential that the Governor be sup
piled, on continuing basis, with
staff assistance in directing and
co-ordinating the business of the
State"
Final Report Completed.
In his final report as chief Of
staff for the reorganization of the
agencies of State government.
Mr.. Duke declared this top-level
coordination would be greatly
facilitated if more effective use
could be made of the Governors
cabinet" This, he added, has
been prevented in the past by
the large number of independent
agencies requiring representation
on it.
His report surveyed briefly the
seven studies which were COM
pleted as a specific part of the
reorganization program and he
estimated annual savings of about
$1,500.000 should result from
them.
Among the Burch reorganiza-
ton commission proposals which
Mr.. Duke said should be put into
effect by legislative action were:
Merger of the Department Of
Labor and Industry, the Unem-
ployment Compensation Commits
sion and the Industrial Commis-
sion.
Consolidation Proposed.
Consolidation of the Commits
sion of Game and Inland Fish
cries, the Commission of Fisheries
and the State Water Control
Board into the Department of
Conservation and Development.
Inclusion of all autonomous
boards (eight of the IT were ex-
cluded by the 1948 legislature) in
the new Department of Profess
sional and Occupational Registra-
ton. This, Mr.. Duke explained,
would mean a saving of about
$64, 900 a year.
A realignment of the functions
of the Commission for the Blind;
transfer of it's public assistance
program to the Welfare Depart
ment and its direction and con-
troll of the workshop, Rehabilita-
tion program and sight saving
classes to the Department of Edu-
cation.
Either abolish the State Milk
Commission or else merge it with
the Department of Agriculture.
Transfer the functions of the
dairy and food division of the
Department of Agriculture to the
Department of Health to "elim-
mate one of the most fragrant
existing Implications in the
State government"
Merger Is Urged.
Merge the Division of Motor
Vehicles Except duties relating
to licensing 'for-hire' vehicles
and administering the motor We
hicle dealer licensing law into
the Department of Taxation.
Transfer of the functions of
the Division of Motor Vehicles
relating to licensing 'for-hire' ve-
hicles and administering the mo-
tor vehicle dealer licensing law
to the State Corporation Com
mission.
+ Transfer eye clinics from the
Commission for the Blind to the
Department of Health. -
The Duke report failed to go
along with another Burch Com
mission recommendation to merge
the mental hygiene system into
the Department Of Welfare and
Institutions. Instead, he rec
commended that it be put in the
Health Department.
Mr.. Duke also said there are
other areas in the State govern
men which "have major potential
tiles for improved efficiency and
economy" These, he said. should
be studied by the Virginia ADJ
visory Legislative Council or spe-
l. IL &sx,~