Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-29

has been transferred from this item
to the salary item about $69 900 now
borne by this appropriation on ac-
count of personal services. Actually,
therefore, the appropriation has been
increased about $4,000.
Electrical Department.
An assistant engineer has been pro-
vided under the Electrical Department
who is to have immediate supervision
of inspectors engaged in the inspec
ton of electric wiring and apparatus
and three additional fire-alarm te1e-
graph operators are provided for in
order that there may be two opera
tors on duty at all times. The bill
and the budget also provide $4,000 for
building an addition to the Electrical
Department storehouse.
For street lighting, the sum pro-
posed is $780, 00 the same az the
budget estimate and the same as the
current appropriation. The current
appropriation was to be augmented,
however, by such portion of the sum
of $3.50 600 to be derived from the re-
newal of automobile operators per-
mits as might he necessary to keep
pace with the Traffic Department In
Inc lnSIaIIdLlon OIL IldlllC~SlS hdl lie htS'
Substantial progress has been made in
lettering the city's lighting. This is
particularly noticeable on the Inn
portant arteries of traffic. Much re
mains to be done. The appropriation
committee recommends that the auto
matte traffic-light program should be
completed before it is time to consider
the 1929 estimates. At that time the
committee expects to give considera-
ton to a definite program of replace
ment and extension and to have def
mite cost figures for the operation of
the lights then installed and to be IN
stalled under the development pro
gram. Until the traffic lights are In
stalled, related as they are to the i'm
proved lighting program, 1t would
seem inopportune to embark on any
other than a well-defined program at
this time, Mr.. Funk said in his re-
port.
Police Department.
The bill provides for a total police
personnel of 1884, the same as the
current year. This accords with the
estimate. An appropriation of SIS 900
Is proposed, in accordance with the
act of May %. 1926, for supplying uni
Guiding 500 1920 carried in the pending
first deficiency act, fiscal year 1927, is
$50, 800, or an average of $66.45 per
man, contrasted with S55.68 per man
proposed for 1928. The law authorizes
not to exceed SIS per man.
Provision is made, in conformity
with the budget, for the acquisition of
one speed boat. to cost So 900, and one
heavy-duty Diesel-engine boat, to cost
$40 900, to take care of police duties
on the river front, The Diesel-engine
boat will be equipped as an auxiliary
to the Fire Departments boat. Both
boats are to supplant old vessels be
longing to the Navy, which have been
condemned and returned to the Navy
Department. Coupled with the pro-
posal is proposition to have police
personnel operate water craft, doing
away with a civil force costing $3.50.
Fire Department.
No change is proposed in the per-
sonnet of the Fire Department. The
number is 500. A reduction of $31 300
is made under the head of 'miscella-
neous," $4,000 of which is due to two
special items carried in the current
appropriation act, and varying lesser
Der of heads, including IS 900 for fuel,
suggested by the Fire Department. For
permanent improvements the commit
tee is proposing $1b,65 in excess of
the budget recommendation, account
ed for by the fact that the site which
it was proposed to acquire under the
appropriation carried in the current
appropriation act upon which to build
a new engine house in the vicinity of
Sixteenth street and Piney Branch
road northwest could not be used for
the purpose intended because the
deeds precluded the use of any of the
property for other than residential
purposes. and what appears to be the
only other available site in that i'm
mediate territory which may be ac-
quired under the price limitation i'm
posed in the current appropriation
act cannot be purchased for the sum
now available. 1t is understood that
the additional sum proposed will per-
NIT of the acquisition of this site.
The appropriation supplemented Is
now available.
Health Department.
The committee is proposing to in
crease the budget estimates for the
Health Department by $18,6S0. An ad-
ditional inspector, at $3.50 per an
mum, is provided for in consequence
of the act of July 3. 1926, entitled IAN
act to regulate the manufacture. rem
ovation and sale of mattresses IN the
District Of Columbia" An increase
of Sc, 900 is proposed for the treat
ment Of INDECENT persons suffering
from social diseases, pursuant to an
appeal to the committee by the Social
Hygiene Society of the District of Co
lumbia, and. lastly, the appropriation
for maintaining child hygiene serv-
ice has been increased from $33, 900
to $4,000 in order that this very
worthy activity may be better able to
carry on the splendid work 1t is do
ing. The additional sum will permit
of the establishment of an additional
child-welfare station and an increase
of three in the number of visiting
nurses.
Police Court.
The estimates include an item of
Sc, 900 for preliminary studies on plans
and specifications for the new Police
Court building, AUTHORIZED by the act
of July 3, 1925 (44 Stat. 90D. The
committee understands that an esti-
mate for the construction of this
building has but recently been trans
mitted to the Bureau Of the Budget.
AS to the treatment 1t will receive
there the committee is not advised.
It's tendency, Mr.. Funk said. would
seem to justify the elimination of the
item for plans and specifications, so
that If the estimate for the building
comes along the two may be consider
ed together.
Purchase of Land.
In the current appropriation act
provision was made, exclusive Of the
National Park and Planning Com
mission and the Anacostia Park prof.
ect, for the acquisition of IL parcels
of land for specifically named uses,
N,.io 30