Evening star., 1951-11-25
Gen. Robinson Proposes Plan
For Recognizing D. c: With
Three Separate City Bureaus
Each Commissioner
Would Be Head of
Single Grouping
By Horriet Griffiths


Plan for the District Government
will be presented to the Commits
sioners this week by Engineer
Commissioner Bernard L. Robin
son.
Dividing city agencies generally
into three bureaus, each headed
by Commissioner the plan grew
from studies begun last summer
by Gen. Robinson and his staff.
1t would replace other reorgan-
ization proposals which have been
considered, including one sub
mitted to the commissioners last
April by Budget Officer Walter
l.. Fowler, although it includes
some features of these.
Would Correct Weaknesses.
Gen. Robinson said the major
features of the plan are designed
to correct fundamental weak
nesSes in the existing municipal
structure. These features are:
"a. Integration into the NUM-
cipal government of all essential
activities.
b. Capitalization of control
with clear delineation of au-
thority and responsibility at all
levels.
c. Granting permanent authority
to the Board of Commissioners to-
effect sound reorganization within
the government on a continuing
basis to meet changing condi-
tions"
Duties of Commissioners,
The plan contemplates a true"
commission form of government,
with the commissioners acting
individually as administrative
heads of departments, and at the
same time sitting as a board to-
determine basic policies for the
city.
The present modified" CON-
mission form, the proposal points
out, divides limited amount of
supervisory responsibility among
the three commissioners, but ad-
ministrative control is centralized
IN the board of commissioners.
Other reorganization proposals
would set up from 13 to 20 de-
partments reporting to a single
individual official.
Mr.. Fowler's plan calls for a
board of commissioners-ma
type government A councilman
ager form was proposed in the
kefauver-Taft Bill, and a coun-
cil-mayor form by the Klein Bill.
Assumes Status Will Continue.
Gen. Robinson's plan goes on
the assumption that the District S
present status of rule by Congress
Will continue, at least for the time
being.
The reorganization features have
been taken out of the compromise
home rule bill now pending be-
fore the Senate. It calls for a
mayor appointed by the Presi-
dent, an elected city council and
an elected non-voting District |
delegate to the House.
The commission form of gov
eminent, which also is adapted
to cities having self rule, best
meets the needs of the District.
Gen. Robinson's report concludes,
and stands up better under the
special conditions here than does
the manager form.
Extent of Powers Unspecified.
The extent of power which each
commissioner would have over
his particular bureau is not spe-
CITED, but would be determined
later. This decision would in
clude such procedures as whether
the city head in charge of the
Fire Department. for instance,
would appoint his own fire chief
or whether this would be a board
decision.
Gen. Robinson did not make
public what agencies would be-
concentrated in each of the three
proposed bureaus. These details
first will be considered by the
Commissioners. he said.
He will recommend that the
Commissioners review the plan
and modify it as they wish. Then
it would be submitted to all de-
partment heads. all Federal and
District agencies affected, mem
bers of Congress and to District
citizens for criticism and COM
ment.
He will suggest a public hearing
preparatory to revision of the
plan for recommendation to the
President.
Under legislation passed by the