Evening star., 1950-10-29

UUIiS, lie SOulu1ltGee IOF NTOOQ
Government, headed by Omer L.
Hirst. and the League of Women
Voters, headed by Mrs. Edward
Macy.
Pointing out what it calls in
adequacy of the present execu-
tive system of government, the
Text Of Study by Foirfox Committee for
Good Government. Pose A-32
report lists changes that would
come to Fairfax through county
manager government.
Voters will have the opportu-
nifty to choose on November Z
between the present government
system, the county executive plan
and the county manager plan.
The two reform plans are author
lied by the 1882 Optional Forms
Act.
Barber Hits Manager Form.
In another development yester-
day, William j. Barber, vice
chairman of the Committee to
Retain Representative Govern
ment in Fairfax County, released
a statement saying that "adop-
ton of the county manager form
will seriously endanger the
continued efficiency of the police
and fire departments"
On the other hand. the report
by the group favoring the county
manager described the present
government system as a "hapha-
zard and headless structure =
political device that illustrates
the majority will. and a barrier
to countrywide thinking by the
supervisors.
The report holds that the man
ager plan provides a straight line
of administrative authority neces-
sary for efficient. economical gov
ernment.
Board Free to Act.
Under this plan. it is explained,
the manager is appointed by the
board and then is responsible for
the appointment Of the depart
ment heads who must serve under
him. This, it is argued. leaves the
board free to act as the county
policy body.
Under the executive plan. it is
charged. the board must appoint
all department heads on recon-
mendation of the administrative
officer. This. it is stated, lessons
the efficiency of the system.
AS to methods of representation.
the other difference between the
manager and executive plans, the
report holds that under the man
ager plan with supervisors elected
by all voters in the county, gov
ernment would be countrywide in
stead of by districts.
The executive plan provides that
supervisors be elected as they are
now, one by the voters of each of
the six magisterial districts.
Say Blame Can Be Fixed.
Adoption of the manager plan,
the report states. will permit Fair
fax County residents, for the first
time. to fix the blame for any
failures in government.
Explaining the referendum bal
lot, which first will provide for a
vote for or against government
change and then for one of the
two reform plans, the report said
that voters who are dissatisfied
with the present form should have
no trouble in answering the first
question.
For the resident who objects
to costly ineficiency, and who
finds the inequitable representa-
ton provided by district elections
repugnant to democratic ideals,
we Fundamentally recommend the
county manager plan.
I'VE recommend it unreservedly
to all those who believe, with us,
that we can have efficiency with
democracy, and democracy with
safety" the report concluded.
Mr.. Barber's statement said:
Adoption of the county man
ager form of government in Fair
rax County November 7 will ser-
ously endanger the continued ef-
f1ciency of the police and fire de-
partment.
Barber Lauds Fire, Police.
Fairfax now enjoys as modern
and efficient police and fire pro-
lection as any municipality in the
Washington metropolitan area {.
Look at the record of the police
department: not an unsolved
crime of major Importance out
standing; not a single man dis
missed from the department as a
result of misconduct. Not another
county in the area can boast of
such a fine record for its police
department.
THE reason for this outstand-
ing record is obvious. Under the
system by which policemen are
selected, they owe allegiance to no
one except the public. Appointed
by an impartial judge Of the cir
cult court, policemen are COM
pletely removed from partisan
politics.
Sees Dictator Rule.
/