Evening star., 1952-05-02
Plan Will EstobIish
Strong Departments

TIuU WIZ 6StOUIISU
Strong Departments
Creation of these new posi-
tionS makes it possible to es-
tablish strong departments, each
headed by a director. who will
be responsible to the Board of
Commissioners and will have
Iull responsibility for the ad-
ministration of all activities of
his department. Such depart
ments will be the basis for a
modern streamlined pattern of
organization and operations
with clear and direct channels
OF responsibility and supervi-
sion from the lowest level UP to
the department head, and
through him to the Board of
Commissioners.
The creation of this new
framework of departments is a
necessary step in carrying out
the overall reorganization of the
District. It permits a clarifica-
ton of lines of responsibility
throughout the Government
thus simplifying and making
more effective and uniform the
management control. This is
essential for the best possible
administration. The specific
organization of such depart
ments is not prescribed, but is
the responsibility of the Com
missionerS.
Also included in Section 4 is
a provision to increase the paw
OF the chief of police and the
f1re chief (the new titles to be
given to the major and superin-
tendent of police and the chief
engineer of the fire department
under the provisions of this Or
der), so that these two officials
may receive such compensation
as the Board of Commissioners
may fix, at a rate not to exceed
$4,000 per annum. This is an
increase from the rate of $11,13O
now in effect.
SECTION 5.
Section S gives to the Board
OF Commissioners the necessary
authority to continue reorgani-
zat1on from time to time on a
continuing basis to meet chang
ing conditions. It would give
them broad authority to effect
such transfers between agencies
OF the government of the Dis
trlct of Columbia of personnel,
property, records and unex-
pected balances of appropria-
tions. allowances and other
funds available or to be made
available.
All organizational changes
under this plan will be put into
effect as soon as it is practicable
to do so without disrupting the
continued operations of the Dis
trict government. It is expected
that the basic reorganization will
begin promptly. The exact pro-
cedure and the details are still
to be worked out. However, the
initial steps are expected to be
the following: The setting up of
the Citizens Advisory Council to
assist and advise the Commits
sioners in this reorganization;
the integration of agencies into
the Department of General Ad-
ministration and the organiza-
ton of this department on a
sound basis; delegating author
ity on a temporary basis to all
existing agencies to continue the
functions presently assigned,
ana 10 continue as presently
constituted, until the details of
the organization can be worked
out; and subsequently assigning
such agencies to departments
and defining their duties and
responsibilities.
1t should be apparent that
this is a long-term process
which. if not to disrupt the gov
eminent, must be carried out
methodically and carefully.
However, it is expected that the
initial reorganization can be
completed within a year. There
after. further organizational ad-
justments can be made as con-
ditions require.