Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-09
.No|en's Custer
Called Move. 10
Bolster Agency
PIonner Directors
Strained Relations
With Public Cited
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE
Star stan Writer

BY GEORGE BEVERIDGE
Star star Writer
The National Capital Plan
ming Commissions sudden deci-
sion to replace John Nolen, jr.,
its longtime director. was de-
scribed yesterday as a move to
bolster the agency's admins
trative and public relations"
position.
The commission, acting be-
hind closed doors, last Thurs
day authorized its executive
committee to offer Mr.. Nolen a
new job. and to offer the direc-
tor post to q West Coast plan
ner.
Harland Bartholomew, COM
mission chairman. who report
edly proposed the change. re-
fused to identify the new can
didate for the job. It was un-
derstood, however, that he is a
4O-year-old San Francisco man
who has been contacted pre-
viously by Mr.. Bartholomew
about possible NCPC employ
ment.
Due to Retire Soon
Mr.. Nolen. So, has been a key
commission figure for 20 years,
and its director since 1851. He
had been expected to retire in
about two years.
One member, who asked that
he not be identified. said the
commission passed a resolution
which strongly commended Mr..
Nolen's planning ability and
performance, but suggested
that the overall direction Of
the staff be given to a new d.
rector.
It proposed, this member
said, that Mr.. Nolen be offered
q job which would center his
duties in planning activities.
Specifically, he would be
named director of the central
city plan" The commission has
launched, as a major effort.
the job of drawing an up-to-
date development plan for cen-
trail Washington, including i'm
provement of the downtown
area and the location of future
building sites.
Holds or Decision
Mr.. Nolan's only comment
was: II have been offered a
different JOB. I have not made
a decision. but I have agreed
to meet with the executive
committee and discuss the ma
ture Of my new duties"
Chairman Bartholomew, who
had attempted to keep the
matter secret, took the posi-
ton that no Official action has
been taken and that he didn't
want to discuss it. He said he
expected to make no announce
ment in less than two or three
weeks.
In answer to questions. how
ever. he said Mr.. Nolen had
been carrying q tremendous
load" that involved direction of
planning, administration and
public relations and that there
was a feeling of too much con-
centration of these activities in
one place.
"TrOuble Getting Along"
Another commission member
said there was a feeling that
Mr.. Nolen has had trouble
getting along with people" both
on his own staff and outside
the commission, and that this
had handicapped the commits
sion's public relations.
In public appearances, Mr..
Nolen'S stock phrase has been
that he was "only voicing the
position of the commission" on
issues in which it was involved.
AS the key commission figure,
however. he often has been in
conflict with District officials
and private groups.
For the last three years, q
job classification of deputy
director" has been authorized
for the commission. It was ex-
pected that this job would
bring a reshufiling of top-level
responsibilities on the commits
sion stan, but the lob has never
been filled.
New Pay Status
About a year ago, Mr.. Nolen
was promoted to a super" pay
classification, with a salary
range from $4,000 to $l3,78O.
Presumably. this salary will be
offered the new director. The
deputy" job has a top pay of
$1,000. officials said.
The executive committee
which has power to act on the
director problem is composed
Of Mr.. Bartholomew. vice chair
man Claude w. Owen and a
third member Mr.. Bartholomew
will appoint.
Since Mr.. Nolen Joined the
commission STAFF in 1881, he
has held numerous posts. in
GLIDING planning director. He
became director seven years
ago. shortly before Congress
reorganized the commission.
Mr.. Bartholomew, who has
taken a tight rein over commits
sion activities since becoming
chairman. is q st. Louis plan
ming consultant who now re-
sides here. His term Of Office
expires in April, 1859.