Evening Star Newspaper, June 19, 1936, Page 6

Analysis of District Bill |, Portion of Fedefld Share to Permit Commission Study of Fiscal Relations—Major Improve- ments 4 BY J. A. O'LEARY. { The District Government expects to fneet its share of the $43,500,000 ap- propriation bill, now nearing final ac- tion in Congress without increased tax- gtion, but the local community will be providing about 88 per cent of the total, with the Federal share fixed at the compromise figure of $5,000,000. Following & hurried analysis of the conference report, Maj. Daniel J. Don- ovan, Distriet auditor, said he thought the final draft of the measure would | legve the city with substantially-a bal- nriefl budget. This is only possible, however, because of an anticipated revenue balance to be carried forward into the new year on July 1. Here is how the two partners en- gdged in operating the National Cap- itgl—Uncle Sam and the District of Columbia—will contribute toward the $43,500,000 total: The District of Columbia, an aggre- gale sum of approximately $38,600,000, made up as follows: Estimated revenue collections and credits from real estate, personal and other miscella- neous taxes, $30,800,000; highway and | water department expenditures, met entirely from local gas tax and water rent collections, $4,023,850; estimated | revenue balance to be carried forward | on July 1, $3,800,000. ™ Federal Payment $5,000,000. £ The Federal partner—a lump sum payment of $5,000,000. Although these | estimated receipts from both sides of #he partnership indicate a total of $43,600,000, or slightly more than the fotal of the bill, District officials pointed out that deficiency and sup- plemental appropriations nearly al- Yvays are necessary near the close of the fiscal year to meet unforeseen re- Quirements, and are likely to become thecessary next January. These con- fingencies later in the year might un- Palance the city’s budget, but the resent outlook is that no increase in he tax rate will be required to meet ghe 1937 fiscal year expenditures. » During the long conference battle ¥hich ended in yesterday’s compro- mise, the Senate fought against & @rastic reduction in the Federal pay- ent on the ground that District res- msnts are already fairly taxed and $hould not have more of the burden of maintaining the Capital City trans- derred to their shoulders. Although it finally becamse necessary to agree to reduce the present Federal payment by $700,000 in order to save the bill, the Senators agreed to this cut only with the understanding the President would be authorized to have a thor- ough new study of the problem made W¥ith a view to recommending a fair and permanent solution at the next session. Saves Most of Increases. ‘The Senate, on the other hand, #aved most of the increases it had made in House figures for municipal bperating expenses, especially for pub- tic health, and the bill as a whole con- tains many improvements. The text f the amendment authorizing the ompromise lump sum and the pres- ential study of fiscal relations reads @s follows: “$5,000,000, of which not to exceed £50,000 shall be available for expendi- ture under the direction of the Pres- jdent for making an independent #tudy of the fiscal relations between §he United States and the District of Folumbia, and enabling him to report $o Congress at the beginning of the mext regular session what, in his judg- fnent, is a fair and equitable amount o be paid by the United Stafes as an gnnual contribution toward the ex- fenses of the Government of the Dis- trict of Columbia; such sum shall be #vailable for personal services without egard to the Civil Service laws and he classification act of 1923, as mended, and for such other expendi- tures as may be necessary in connec- $ion with such study.” , Among the major improvement rojects in the bill, and which would fave been lost under a continuing esolution, are: to begin a new po- fice court building in Judiciary Square, 1,000,000; to rebuild Chain Bridge, 250,000 toward an ultimate cost of $350,000; to begin erection of the getwonh Branch Library, $75,000 to- ard a total cost of $150,000; and to ;repau plans for a new bridge across | he Anacostia at Pennsylvania avenue outheast, $25,000. 11 Final Total Raised. £5s it passed the House in March the Dill totalled $42,573,283. By retaining fost of their increases, the Senate conferees raised the final total by $Bbout $900,000. The regular appro- riations for the current year mounted to $40,923,000, but substan- tial supplemental and deficiency items yecently have been appropriated which | Wil bring the actual expenditures for fhis year nearer to the total of next | gear’s bill. | » One of the biggest concessions thef $enate had to make wes the elimina- | Lion of $78,660 for a continuing char- Bcter education in the schools. The Benate, on the other hand, knocked but the House effort to prevent profes- gional men in the District service, such #s8 judges, lawyers, and doctors from Listed. lecturing or practicing on the outside in tkeir own time. School buildings and ground items in the bill are: four-roown addition to Lafayette School, $165,000; to com- plete second floor of Hardy School, $30,000; eight-room addition to Truesdell School, $148,500; eight-room addition to Grimke School, $175,000; eight-room addition to Young School, $140,000; to begin a vocational school for girls at Arkansas avenue and Alli- son street, $100,000; ten-room addi- tion, Paul Junior High School, $165,- 000; ten-room addition, Alice Deal Junior High School, $165,000; to com- plete the Anacostia Junior-Senior High School, $100,000; to enlarge | Eastern High School, $253,000; to buy land at the old John F. Cook School, $26,000. This makes a school build- ing program of $1,567,500. The Sen- ate lost its $83,000 amendment for developing the athletic fleld at Wood- row Wilson Senior High. 25 Additional Policemen. A compromise was reached on 25 additional policemen, the Senate hav- ing originally voted for 50. The Senate lost its amendment for two assistants in the Corporation Counsel's office at a total of $46,000 a year. It also had to knock out 8| $6,000 increase it had allowed the | Public Utilities Commission for per- sonnel. The item for smoke control was compromised at $15,000. Three Senate increases for upkeep of public playgrounds were retained. They were $6,500 for salaries, $1,800 for maintenance, and $1,700 additional for keeping school yards open in Sum- mer. For emergency relief of the un- employed, the compromise figure is $1,600,000, of which $200,000 may be used for personnel services. The House tried to cut this total to $1,506,020. Numerous Senate increases medical charities were retained as recommended by the Budget Bureau. For the Free Public Library the Senate retained a $20,000 increase for miscellaneous expenses, but lost a $2,000 increase for personal service. Under this bill the District Govern- ment will be required to pay back to the Federal Treasury another install- ment of $1,000,000 for PWA loans for the Sewage Disposal Plant and Tuber- culosis Hospital. together with a $300,- 000 reimbursement to the United | States for Park Development under the Capper-Cramton Park Law, for | (Continued From First Page.) | but Blanton declined to call up the | conference report after Speaker Bank- head insisted on recognizing the Texan. Blanton was seated and not making any attempt to be recognized when the Speaker pounded the gavel and | said he would recognize the gentle- ! man from Texas. Blanton shook his |head and placed his hand on his throat to indicate he suffered hoarse- ness and did not propose to call up the conference report. Later he told newspaper men that aside from & sore throat he had prom- ised other members of the House to yield them time and since it was late | at night he did not want to call up | the report. - Provides About $43,500,000. As finally approved by the Senate, the bill, it is estimated, will provide approximately $43,500,000 for the Dis- trict in the coming fiscal year, begin- 2 THE. EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. annual fight over the Federal share of National Capital expense. “Speaking for the Commisisoners, I wish to voice appreciation for the work performed so well for the District by Senator Thomas in his handling of the District budget through so many weeks."” Before the Senate adopted the con- ference report on the supply bill sev- eral Senators joined in deploring the treatment accorded the District in re- cent years by reason of the House policy on fiscal relations between the Federal and.District Governments. Denounces House Member. The highlight of the debate was the speech of Senator Clark, Democrat, of Missouri, denouncing efforts of one member of Congress to make himself & dictator over the people of the Dis- trict. ‘Without mentioning Representative Blanton by name, Clark referred to the questionnaire sent to .local school teachers, quizzing them on religious, political and economic views. Clark alluded also to efforts “to regulate the promotions of police officers in the Dis- trict of Columbia.” During the House hearings on law enforcement in the District last year it was brought out that Blanton had obtained a gentlemen's agreement with District officials to have Inspector Al- bert J. Headley, now retired, made as- sistant superintendent of police follow- ing the retirement from that post of Inspector T. R. Bean. In calling up the conference report Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Okla- homa, explained that a compromise Federal payment of $5,000,000 had been agreed upon, in lleu of the budget estimate of $5,700,000, after the House members had agreed to have the fiscal relations further studied under the direction of President Roosevelt be- fore the next Congress meets. Taking the floor, Senator Clark of Missouri began: “I certainly do not wish to quibble at this time, but as a member of the United States Senate, which makes me a member of the American Con- gress, I desire to express my very great indignation and my very great fear for a system which has been employed in the last few years, which makes it possible for one member of either branch of the Congress to undertake to set himself up as a dictator as ab- BECAUSE GRUEN MAKE ning July 1. Gratification over the agreement be- | tween House and Senate conferees on the 1937 budget was voiced by Com- | missioner Melvin C. Hazen despite the reduction of the Federal payment to- | wards the National Capitol by $700,-| 000. | “Fine, fine,” said Hazen when he| learned of the action of the managers on the bill. “The District would have | suffered great difficulties had the regu- lar bill failed, causing the substitution of a continuing resolution, allowing| only maintenance funds. | Pleased at Plan for Study. “As to the fiscal relations quesuon! the residents of Washington, as well | as the Commissioners, will be pleased to have agreement on a thorough study | of this question by a commission | named by the President. | “I fervently hope the results of this | commission will mean the end of the PAINTING EXPERTS £ or 20 Years For over 20 years this local firm has been rendering a preeminent painting service to Washington homeowners. « FERGUSON 3831 Ga. Ave. COL 0567 A new streamlined solute as Hitler iIn Germany or Etalin in Russia or Mussolini in Italy. over people living within the shadow of the dome of the Capitol in the Capital of the United States. Calis It “Disgrace.” “In my opinion that is a disgrace to our system of government. As a matter of fact it amounts to a breach of the privileges and rights of the Senate for one member of the House to take it upon himself to send out questionnaires to the school teachers in this city, and to make the appro- priations for the support of the Dis- trict of Columbia contingent upon their answers to his questionnaire— for a single member of either b:anch of Congress to take it upon himself to undertake to regulate the promo- tions of police officers in the District of Columbia.” Clark said he knew how ardeatly Senator Thomas had worked to obtain an agreement on the District bill, but added: “I desire to give notice that at the next session of Congress, while I am not a member of either the Appropria- tions Committee or the District of Columbia Committee, I intend to re- sist any such attempt to impose a dic- tatorship upon a defenseless people who are under the protection of the Federal Government.” Supported by Copeland. This brought Senator Copeland, Democrat of New York, and a con- feree on the supply bill, to nis feet with this offer: “Why not do that now? I shall be glad to join with the Senator right | now in opposing a dictatorship. I think it is an outrage the way the people of the District are irea‘ed as regards the operations of their city. |1 wish the Senator from Misscuri would begin his attack now and not wait until next year.” Copeland later revealed that he did not sign the compromise conference report, and voted 2gainst its adoprion. Majority Leader Robinson of Ar- kansas, joined in the debate to say: “In view of the history <f the con- troversy relating to the District appro- priation bill and the difficulties which have been encountered by the Senate conferees, I think they are envitled to a word of commendation. There is not any question in my mind but that they have resisted every unfair effort BETTER Wetches design white Guildite \ case—an outstand- ing,new Gruen volue. $1.00 Weekly Man's round modell watch—handsomely graved case— th round link bond to match. DE LUXE $1.00 s37s. a Week Yellow gold-filled round engraved case~link bracelet. CURVEX ACE 35950 Handsome, yellow gold- filled curved-to-the-wrist case.Thefull-size,17-jewel Precision movement s actually curved to fit the case.This permits of sturdy working parts, insures al- most unbelievable accur- acy.. It isn't @ CURVEX unless the name GRUEN is on the dial. which has been made to prevent the conclusion of just legislation; and I think the result of the conference pretty well vindicates both their pur- poses and their efforts.” Praise for Thomas. Senator Frazier, Republican of North Dakota, sald the Senate owes @ debt of gratitude to Senator Thomas and the other conferees in getting “what appears to be a fair compro- mise on the District bill.” While Senator Thomas was ex- plaining that the compromise is in- tended to bring about a solution of the fiscal relations controversy, based on the President’s report next Jane uary, Senator Clark again entered the debate to point out that the same procedure has been gone through before, “and that the Congress of the United States, with the District as its ward, had once before solemnly entered into an agreement on this subject, which has been flag- rantly disregarded by the Government of the United States, through tfle action of one or two particular mem- bers of the body at the other end of the Capitol; and I do not know what- more force this new investiga- tion and a new agreement will have with a future Congress, if some mem- bers of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives shall desire to disregard it, than the pre- vious agreement has had.” Senators Thomas and Robinson contended that previous investiga- tions have been inaugurated by one branch or the other, but that this should have more effect because it is being proposed by both branches of Congress. Clark Sees Difficulties. Continuing, Senator Clark said that while “it is true that the previous investigation was conducted by only one House; but it is the House which conducted the investigation which initiated the plan which has refused to adhere to it, which has repudiated its contract, which has outraged the ward of the Government; and I frankly say that I doubt very much that there will be any greater efficacy in the plan now proposed than in the plan which was agreed upon several years ago. I did not wish to take my seat without expressing the thought that I certainly intend no reflecion on the Senator from Lovely, yellow gold- filled baguette case —slender, tinyl She will adore itl $1.00 Weekly 15-jewel man's watch, yellow gold- smart yellow gold <ase. An outstanding valve. ¢, FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1936, Comment of Nye. Senator Nye, Republican of North, Dakota, said: “As one of the Senate conferees I desire to point out that the Senate has been insistent upon the figure of $5,700,000 as the Federal Govern- recommended by the Bureau. of the Budget. In accepting the compromise which has been accepted today at $5,000,000, I wish to have dt clearly and distinctly understood that, as one of the conferees, I have not concluded that $5,000,000 is & fair share for the Fereral Government in the ap- propriation for the District of Colum- bia.” T15 14 Street NW. | GGG Clothing ___ Trojan Ties Camelot Clothing | FATHER'S DAY Is Sunday, Tune 21st Please Him : Most You'll TRADE $2 and 52 50 The greatest variety we've ever shown, in- cluding Airmesh, Manshade, Seabreeze, Twiil- breeze and other air-cooled, light-weight fab- rics. Regular and button-down collars. Also new Manhattan Sportswear Shirts at $1.00 Veterans’ Bonus Checks Cashed | FREE PARKING—CAPITAL GARAGE Experienced AdvertisersPrefer TheStar Advice to the ifcaual Th Air-Cond The nice thing about our air cooling system is the way we take a load off your back without putting one on your pocketbook. That's because we take you on a DIRECT route to Summer comfort. from the factory. You come in our Factory-Store and you buy straight Nobody gets in the middle. Wonder Tropicals are only $10.90. Wonder Breeze Cloth Suits only $10.90—and so on down the line. DelLuxe Seersuckers $6.90. Flannel trousers, striped or plain, $5.50. Of course we have sizes to fit any man who's hard to fit, and plenty for the other kind. Come in! WonderWR@P @A{LS ®BREEZE CLOTHS e MOHAIRS @ KANT-KRUSHES! sizes from 28 to 48. amazing valua! ' Summer PANTS ' FIRST QUALITY! Perfect--no seconds! All thorough- ly sanforized, washable and complete range of - Extra Savings! 4000 Sanforized .’ L New stripes--smart checks-- Teikad Bl o the platform on which is built tl;e lnge:t ice cream Lu.lineu in the world. WONDER CLOTHES 1012 F-St. N.W. 611 7th St. N.W. Both Stores Open Saturday Evening Until 9 P.M. A A P SIS TE BNV RS PO AT I NE S PERS N S R S SN IR P TR AR S AN e