Evening star., 1952-09-02
Lowe Sworn In
As Director Of
NewDepartn1enl
West and Timmons
Get Higher Posts in
D. c. Reorganization
By John w. Stepp

Schuyler Lowe was sworn in
today as director of the District
governments brand-new Depart
ment of General Administration.
At the same time two expert
enced District employees were
named to different posts under
the same initial reorganization
shuttle. John w. West, assistant
secretary to the Board Of Com
missioners. took the oath as MIR.
loves administrative assistant.
Francis L. Timmons, chief clerk
of the engineering department,
took over Mr.. Vests former job.
Scores of District employees and
well-wishers thronged the District
Building board room to watch the
ceremonies. Mr.. Lowe. AZ, a for
mer civilian employe of the Army
Engineers, takes over an assign
ment that ultimately will pay as
much as the Commissioners them
selves receive-$13,800. His start
ing salary is $4,000, the initial
pay of the District governments
top grade.
Promotions Applauded.
The promotions of Mr.. West and
Mr.. Timmons drew resounding ap-
plause from the spectators. It is
uncertain at this point whether
Mr.. West will get a salary increase
from his present $500. Mr.. Tim
mons gets an increase from 81, $40
to 1880.
The three new appointeeS stood
in line for nearly an hour shaking
the hands of well-wishers. AS
soon as the formalities were over
all three began tackling their new
chores. Mr.. Lowe and Mr.. West
moved into freshly redecorated
quarters opposite the f1fth-floor
Offices of Engineers Commissioner
Bernard L. Robinson.
Gen. Robinson, who for a num-
ber of years was Mr.. loves chief
in the Southeastern Atlantic Army
Engineer District. was largely. re-
sponsible for the new admins
traitors appointment. In a well
coming talk in the flower be
decked board room, Gen. Robin
son observed that he has been
on the firing line with Mr.. Lowe
before. and I have the utmost con-
f1dence in his ability"
No Municipal Experience.
Although Mr.. Lowe has never
before had experience in munich
pal government his work with the
Army Engineers almost entirely
dealt with administrative matters
of personnel and financing. it was
pointed out.
His appointment is the second
major step which the Commission
erS have taken to put the new
government reorganization plan
into effect. First step was the
appointment in July of a Citizens
Advisory Council which has been
busily at work as special advisers
to the city heads since the first
day Of its appointment.
The reorganization plan, fos-
tered by Gen. Robinson, won the
approval of President Truman and
the tacit consent Of Congress after
a brief but bitter fight over wheth-
er the commissioner form of Dis
trice government should remain
or should be supplanted by a
council-manager form. Goal of
the plan is to consolidate the city's
nearly 100 administrative and
regulatory agencies into a more
tightly knit setup designed to pro-
mote efficiency and economy.
Had Strong Support.
F. Joseph Donohue, president
of the Board of Commissioners,
recalled in his speech of welcome
that Gen. Robinson's program won
out only because of the strong
support Of District groups and
the press.
AS for the future, Commissioner
Donohue declared: II want Mr..
Lowe to know now that he will
find in his new associations public
servants who are as loyal, efiicient
and honorable a group as have
ever been associated with public
service"
The chief task of the new ad-
ministrator will be to guide the
Commissioners policies on per-
sonnel, management and munich
pal finances both through the
reorganization period and. after
ward.