Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-02
RAISE FOR CLERKS
IN DISTRICT BILL
Measure, With Smoot Increase
Provision, Ordered Reported
FavorabIy to Senate.
OVER 100000 ADDED

The District appropriation bill. carry
ing the Smoot amendment providing for
increases III pay to District employees re-
ceivng $1,000 and less a year, was or
dered reported favorably to the Senate
today by the Senate appropriation COM
mittee
The committee added items to the bill
aggregating more than S1.0O0.00O.
The total amount carried in the bill
as recommended by the committee is
S14, The bill as it passed the
House carried s1s.44s,5e9.G6 The in
crease over the House bill amounts to
s1417.029.
While the Smoot amendment was
placed in the bill by the committee it
was with the understanding that the
Increases allowed the District employees
should be the same as those given the
federal employees under the legislative
appropriation bill which is now in con-
ference. The legislative bill as it
passed the House provided for in
creases as follows: Ten per cent for
all those employees receiving up to
$1,000. and from $1,000 to $1,S00, per
cent.
The bill as it passed the Senate, with
the Smoot amendment. allows the fol-
lowing increases: Those receiving $3.50
and less, 10 per cent; those receiving
from $3.50 up to and including $1,000.
10 per cent. The District employees will
receive the same increases as are
agreed upon finally for the federal en-
ployes.
A legislative rider was inserted in the
bill by the Senate committee providing
that the surplus revenues of the Dis
trict, after all the expenses of the Dis
trict have been paid under the half
and-half plan and under other appro-
priationS made by Congress, shall be ap-
plicable to the funded debt of the Dis
trict.
For Purchase of Dean Tract.
One of the largest items of increase
provided by the Senate committee was
$625,000 to purchase the Dean tract, at
Connecticut and Florida avenues, for a
public park. This action was taken
by the committee because it was feared
that in the near future the Dean tract
might be sold for building purposes
and would not be available longer for
purchase as park except at a very
high figure.
Provision is made also for the erec-
tion of the proposed Gallinger Munich
pal Hospital on reservation 13, where
the Washington Asylum Hospital now
stands. The sum of s150,O00 is made
Immediately available, and the limit
placed upon the expenditure for this
hospital is 100000
The public schools are given generous
increases by the committee. Nineteen
additional matrons are provided at $500
apiece. Fer an addition to the Wheat
ley School, $4,000 is allowed; for an
addition to the Takoma School, $50, 900;
for an addition to the Buchanan School,
$4,000; for additional ground for the
Emery School, $4,000; for improve
ments in the Woodburn School, $500.
Increases for Roads and Streets.
A provision is inserted which would
admit free Of charge to the public schools
of the District the children of army and
navy officers and men stationed outside
the District.
Considerable increases are allowed for
suburban roads and street improvements.
The committee added So, 200 to the bill
for the construction of the proposed South
Dakota Avenue bridge.
The Norris proposal for the estab-
lishment of bathing beach in the
tidal basin in Potomac Park was adopt
ed by the committee and an item of
$4,000 for this purpose placed in the
bill.
purchase a new public playground near
Sibley Hospital.
A provision was inserted in the bill
suspending until further action that
part of the District appropriation law
for the present fiscal year which pro
vided for the-widening of 14th street
northwest between Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and F. street.
The committee increased the rent al
lowance for the National Guard Of the
District by $4,000.
A provision was inserted in the bill
which will make it possible to supply
communities in Maryland near the Dis
trict line with water from the Districts
water system, to be paid for by the
Maryland communities.
Provision is made for the appointment
of the register of wills by the justices
of the Supreme Court of the District in
stead of by the President
Provision is made increasing the pay
which is allowed employees in the re-
corder of deeds office for the record
ing of deeds.