The Washington times., 1922-12-20
Tells SWHY D. c.
WASDEN|ED
VOICE
Congressman cramton Ex-
plains Reason for Refusing
Hearing on Schools.

Chairman cramton. of the sub
committee Of the House Apbropria-
tions Committee. in charge OF the
District pili. today gave as his
main reAsoh for rushing through
the hearings on the appropriation
measure for the city the fact that
Congressman Evans Is anxious TO
leave town Saturday and Congress-
man johnson is not feeling very
well.
Mr.. Cramton said that the decision
Of the subcommittee not 70 permit
Mr.. Classic, who appeared yesterday
representing six bodies of Washing.
tonians to testify In relation to the
school budget, was partly because
OF the reasons above named and also
because q definite policy adopted by
the subcomniittee to hear no out.
side testimony has been followed.
Congressman Cramton, said that
this rule was the same a.. that which
had been adopted by the House Ap-
preparations Committee. He e0td
that he did not know OF Mr.. Classics
presence in the committee room
until II was called to his attention,
when he explained to him that he
could not be heard, but that any
statement that he might make would
be considered. II was q special
courtesy extended to school officials,
he said. to permit Mr.. Classic to re-
main In the executive hearing.
Three Weeks Late.
Congressman Cramton, said that
the committee meeting was three
weeks late In starting, that this wa
the fault Of the short session. and
that the committee was anxious to
expedite the matter.
When Questioned an To the state.
ment attributed TO him thar no
testimony would be heard urrins
nm increase In the item recon-.
nnended by the Budget Bureau. Con.
gressman Cramton said that this
does not mean Congress has sur.
rendered its power to the Bureau
OF the Budget. He said II simply
means that II 10 o big Job cutting
down expenditures. Conrress ere.
ated the Budget office and believes
that this sort or an agency. he
said. was needed to accomplish that
purpose. He said that he believed
that the office is doing good work
and that Congress must support IL
rather than overrtile Il.
"The committees good WILL he
says. Islands back Of the Budget
officer"
Again referring TO the questicn
OF permitting testimony from ether
than District officials, Congress.
man Cramton said that he was
only one member Of the committee
that rule win be broken.
Hearings Hsstsned.
The fact thst no such testimony
was permitted. he said, win result
IN the committee probably being
able to conclude the hearing In 4
comparativeiy short time. He said
that he was sure that the District
officials coming before the com
mittee win bear witness that they
are having every opportunity to
defend the estimates that are be.
fore Congress-. He said that he felt
certain that these officials feel that
no lack Of time has been given
them to permit them 70 present
their case ana that they were also
permitted to indicate II they fesi
the estimates recommended BY the
budget bureau are not sufficient
and satisfactory. x
The committees 20 Oar has finished
the itenns oi, schools. streets. sewers
and police. AZ this afternoons ses-
sion the budget for the fire depart
nnSht. the health department ana
chsritiea were taken up.
ComYsnisrioners Rudolph and oys.
ter. Major Daniel Sullivan, supcrin-
tAndent Of police: Chief oeores Wat.
son. of the Tire department, and
psnI>l n. 0arees were present st
fhs noornInr nrrsion- I 80 :, a a -