Evening star., 1951-12-02
Research Staff 10 Aid
District Commission
Is Urged by Donohue

A research staff to help the
Commissioners in somewhat the
same way the Library of Con-
.gress serves national legislators
was advocated last night by Com
missioner F. Joseph Donohue.
Mr.. Donohue discussed the
Commissioners task of drawing
up a reorganization plan for the
District Government during his
weekly broadcast over Station
WWDC.
Engineer Commissioner Bernard
L. Robinson's proposal, which the
city heads are using as a basis
for discussion, would divide city
agencies generally into three bu-
reaus. each headed by a Com
missioner.
At the same time, the city heads
would sit as a board to determine
basic policies for the city.
Robinson May Appear.
Next week Mr.. Donohue said he
hoped to have Gen. Robinson on
the broadcast with him for dis
cusSion of the differences in views
between them. The program is
heard at pm. on Saturdays.
In a discussion after yesterdays
broadcast, Mr.. Donohue told re-
porters his Office staff of one spec
ial assistant and a secretary are
kept too busy in answering tele-
phones and other duties to make
background Investigations on vari-
Gus problems presented to him.
He suggested that a proposed
new management office have a di-
vision of analysis and research to-
do for the Commissioners much
what the Library of Congress does
for Congress-" /
I'VE ought to have a few trained
investigators to send in and do a
complete job" on a situation, Mr..
Donohue added.
Differences Cited.
Discussing Gen. Robinson's re-
organization plan and that Of
Budget Officer Walter l.. Fowler,
he said the fundamental difference
to him was whether the Commits
Sioners should abrogate their re-
sponsibilitieS or retain them.
The Fowler plan would con-
cenUate city agencies into 13
departments reporting to an exc /,
cutlve officer, who would func- ,
ton much as a city manager.
administrative supervision would |,
be largely in this officer, with the !
Board of Commissioners essen :,
italy policy-making body. ID
Under the Robinson plan, re-
sponslbility and control would
be centered in the Commissioners,
Whether this would mean that Il
IN individual commissioners au- I
thority over his group of depart r
ments would extend even to
appointment of his department IS
heads still is to be worked out.
Commission Concurrence Urged.
Mr.. Donohue said this would :
depend on how much judgment :
the board of commissioners >
thought a particular commissioner !,
was capable of exercising. He said
ne thought the board should anti
cipate the possibility of an i'm +.
proper choice by determining /,
that the selection should be ap- I.
proved by the other two COM !
/.
One thing the Robinson plan |,
does is to really make the Com h
nlssloners work." he said. II
He went on to say that I'VE have
10 face the possibility that under i
the commission form it may be q
hat people will be appointed who 6
will be lazy. Indifferent or incap-
able of performing functions Ii
ascribed to them. t
Deadline Is December Is. IS
Under the Robinson plan, the
commissioners reserve the COM
plete authority to delegate or !.
lake back power or responsibility
given to any one member"
The Commissioners have been !.
Instructed by the Budget Bureau h
to submit reorganization plan by +
December Is under the Reorgan- :
ization Act of 1949. 1t would go in +
effect unless disapproved by either 9
house of Congress or the Presi-
dent. q
Hr. Donohue pointed out that |c
reorganization proposals havelt t