Evening star., 1953-08-31
Present Status
OfOccupafions
Boards Urged
Arguments Heard
On Plans for New
D. c. Department

Spokesman for professiona
and occupational groups in the
District today fought to main
tain the separate status Of theil
examining and regulatin 6
boards, rather than to have
them under a new Department
OF Occupations and Professions
Their arguments before q
hearing by the Commissioners al
the District Building maintained
that the boards were doing an
effective job and that there was
no need for a change. The hear
ing was to continue this after
noon.
Prominent contentious of the
witnesses included also that the
change proposed by District re-
organizers would bring about
unnecessary additional cost to
the taxpayers.
Political Influence Feared.
It was contended further that
any weakening Of the independ-
ent status the boards now enjoy
might bring about a threat of
political influence, and that
boards of specialized technical
regulation should not be admin
istered by laymen.
c. F. Preller. president of the
Washington Central Labor
Union, said most of the functions
his group believed should come
under a Department of Labor are
proposed for inclusion in the De-
partment of Occupations and
Professions.
eve believe those agencies di-
rectly related to working people
and their problems should be in
cluded in the Department of La
bor." he said.
He cited the following as the
agencies that should be included
in the Department of Labor:
Board of Barber Examiners, Lii
cenSe Bureau, Minimum Wage
and Industrial Safety Board,
District Unemployment Compen-
Sation Board. Motion Picture OPP
orators Examining Board,
Plumbing Board, Electrical Ex-
amining Board and Board of
Examiners of Steam and Other
Operating Engineers.
Other Agencies Mentioned.
Mr.. Preller contemplated that
the Labor Department would in
clude agencies for mediation
and conciliation, research and
analysis of labor data, and a
legal division. He pointed out
that in the past there had been
no appropriate local agency to
deal with labor disputes.
]. J. IIgenfritz, superintendent
Of the Inspections Division, Of
the new Department of Licenses
and Inspections, said it was
imperative" that technical con-
troll of examining boards for
electricians, plumbers. motion
picture operators and steam
operating engineers should be
kept under the jurisdiction OF
his department.
He voiced no objection tc
centralizing the administrative
work in connection with the
activities of these boards, how
ever.
Speaking for eight of the pro-
fessional examining and licensing
boards, was Attorney John w
Townsend. He told the Commits
sioners the eight boards opposed
the reorganization proposal.
"The commissioners" he said
Should leave well enough
alone" He said they should "re-
fuse to gamble with the public
interest by adopting a contro-
versial system which is clearly
shown to have potentialities OF
operating adversely to the pub
lie good"
Experience Emphasized
Other witnesses and their tes-
timony were:
James 7. Malone, president OF
the District Institute of Certi-
fed Public Accountants: To
turn this administrative function
over to a director not skilled in
the profession of accountancy
would be turning over the in
depreciation of standards Of ouI
profession to a lay person. Only
persons properly trained ano
with practical experience are
qualified properly to evaluate ap-
plicants for the profession.
Simon w. Levitan, of the Dis
trict Board of Accountancy: The
proposed reorganization repre-
sents a dangerous step in the di.
rection of centralization or con-
centration of governmental con-
troll which may be detrimental
to the integrity of the board.
Tony J. DurSO, secretary
treasurer of the Board of Bar
Der Examiners: Why reorganiZt
something that is not disor-
sanized? The cost to the taxpay-
er would be great and unneces-
sary.
DIR, WOodson T. Birthright
secretary of the Board of Dental
Examiners: The efficiency of the
board would be impaired under
the reorganization plan and toe
much power and authority
would be placed in the hands o1
an appointed lay official. The
board would be subject to par
tisan political influences anc
there would be less effective
methods of enforcing its hcens-
ing laws and rules.
L. M. Leisenring, president oi
the Board of Examiners anC
Registrar of Architects: Why re.
place this satisfactory direct.
acting method with a complies
centralized bureau? Establish.
ment of the proposed depart
ment would be a step backward
DR.. 1. G. Cashell, secretary oi