Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-12
Alexandra Puts
NewCitySupp|Y
Audit in Use
Expansion of Plan
Due Soon, Public
Works Chief Says


A new system of accounting
for city material already has
been placed in operation and will
be expanded in the near future,
c. l.. Watkins. director of public
works for Alexandria, Va, said
last night.
Mr.. Watkins made the state
ment after his recommendations
for reorganization" within the
department were read to a re-
cessed meeting of the City Coun-
Gil by City Manager Ira Willard.
The council maintained a hands,
off policy, telling the manager
that it was an administrative
matter entirely under his juris-
diction.
Later, Mr.. Watkins was ques-
toned by reporters about sys-
tenn of checks and balances in
the public works department as
a result of disclosure the night
before that auditors had found
nearly $40, 900 worth of city sup
plies were not properly &C
counted for.
5000 Bags of Cement Involved.
The firm of Ernst & Ernst Of
Baltimore in an audit for the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1852,
found a shortage of items total
ing $9,224.57 and said it sis Of
too serious a nature to permit
an assumption that it can be
attributed to the inadequacy Of
the records. 1t is apparent to
us that the responsible city Off
Gals are not making a proper
effort to account for inven-
tories"
The items included about 5000
bags of cement, sewer pipe and
gasoline.
Mr.. Watkins said his depart
ment was responsible for making
inventories of its own supplies
and that recent improvements
had been made in the method
of checking up. He said further
improvements were being placed
into effect.
"Shakeup" Is Denied.
He also was inclined, after the
meeting, to dismiss as relatively
unimportant the reorganization
proposals which were read to the
council in the form of a memo
randum from him to the city
manager. Some had received the
impression Tuesday night that
when the council reconvened last
night the first phase of Mr.. Will
lard's heralded reorganization
plan would be disclosed. The
plan has been pending since Mr..
Willard issued a blast against
the municipal organization setup
in January
But Mr.. Watkins said his rec
concentrations were more of a
"reasSignment" of personnel
within the department and that
other changes would be made
Immediately. He said they we're
in no sense a "shakeup" within
the public works department.
The changes which he recon-
mended and which Mr.. Willard
gave his approval last night were
to shift Philip Hall, director Of
planning. to a new post as dep
uty director of public works, and
Denis Cahill, coming administra-
tor, to Mr.. Halls old post. Mr..
Watkins said four or five other
division head shifts we're con-
templated by Sunday but he
would not disclose them until the
affected employees had been no.
titled.
Mr.. Hall formerly was assist
ant city manager and is quail
fled to serve as his deputy. said
Mr.. Watkins, himself a former
city engineer for Alexandria.
Responsibilities Outlined.
In listing the various divisions
and fields of responsibility in his
department. Mr.. Watkins said:
Until very recently, no for
malized breakdown of these
services was made nor was it
considered necessary. However.
due to the need for increased
services at maximum efficiency
and the impossibility of salts
factory supervision of the multi
tude of operations by the Depart
ment head alone, it is felt that a
definite plan of organization.
with clearly defined lines of au-
thority and responsibility, must
be instituted.
This plan will establish GER
tain definite divisions of re-
sponsibility within the depart
ment reporting through the
deputy director. and will permit
the director to concentrate his
attention on matters of major
policy without being showed
under by detail.
1.-The proposed plan of reor-
ganization presupposes certain
personnel changes or changes