Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-13
CONFEREES SEEK
D. c. BILL ACCORD
Senate and House Members
to Seek Agreement to Be
Named at Once.

Conferees will be appointed by the
House and Senate today or tomorrow 10
round out the differences IN the DIS.
trict appropriation bill for the next
fiscal year, which passed the senate
Yesterday afternoon with many impor.
tant changes, including the raising OF
the Federal contribution from $4,000
to $4,000, 900.
When the bill passed the House
month ago, 1t carried total OF $40, $685.
lit, with Uncle Sans share remaining
at the SO, 900 900 that has been provided
during the past five years. The Senate
brought the total of the bill down to
ia, 4So.455 and lifted Uncle sans lump
sum part to $4,000, 900, thereby seek
ing to reduce to some extent the gap
which has been growing wider during
the past few years between the Federal
and District ratio in maintaining the
National Capital
While there are a number Of other
important differences to be adjusted In
conference, local citizens will await
with keen expectation the final verdict
of the conference on the division OF
cost.
Center Land Purchase Difference.
For the purchase of land in the
Municipal Center, the House allowed
s., 000, 900, and the Senate cut 1t down
to 100000, on the theory that II
there Is not to be loan to spread the
cost of the development over a period
of years, the current expenditures
should be made at slower rate. This
must be settled by the conference.
Then there is the question of water
rates. The Senate adopted the Howell
amendment reducing the increased rates
to be charged consumers of water and
providing that the remainder of the
additional revenue needed by the Water
Department, 1924, 500, be taken from
the general taxation on property as q
whole in compensation for the FIRE pro-
lection furnished by the Water Depart
ment.
The action Of the Senate yesterday
In voting, A to 40, to retain the 5000, 900
appropriation for establishment Of the
new farmers market in the southwest
section near the waterfront definitely
settles that question, since the House
took the same action.
Senator Capper, Republican, OF Kan
sas, and Frazier, Republican, Of North
Dakota, led movement to eliminate
the market appropriation on the ground
that establishment of the Farmers 10
cation should await O definite decision
with regard to the future of Center
Market Senator Glass. Democrat, of
Virginia, upheld the action Of Congress
last year In authorizing the Southwest
site. and on the roll call he was sus-
tanned, 2 to /.
Teacher Question Is Up.
The conferees also must settle the
kindergarten teacher situation. The
House provided that large group of
kindergarten teachers should be trans
ferred to the first four grades Of the
elementary schools as vacancies occur,
instead of appointing new teachers to
the system. The Senate struck this
out, provided for the present number
Of kindergarten teachers and for 80 new
teachers In the other grades.
The $4,000 item for conducting q
| study of the power needs Of the city
with view to establishing municipal
ly owned plant, Is definitely in the bill,
having been approved by both branches.
Other changes made in the Senate
and subject to settlement in confer
| ence were:
Insertion of s25o,oo for a subway to
abolish the Chestnut street grade cross
ing; the striking out of the House item
of $l35, 900 to rebuild and widen the
Monroe street viaduct in Brookland;
the adding of 100000 to conduct a
war on mosquitoes; increases In salaries
in nearly all municipal Offices; for Is
additional policemen and funds with
which to continue rental Of the House
Of Detention; elimination Of the re-
uuirement in the House bill that appli-
cants Tor the police force must have
eighth-trade education.
With regard to street improvements
and me school building program, the
Senate struck out some House projects
and inserted others.
In comparison to the -, 420. ASS total
approved by the Senate, the appropria-
lions for the present fiscal year
amounted to $41, 4s7,615.