Evening star., 1934-04-20

1 yCdlO, dAlQ Wy lAAiC AiOt SANNNAAAA6 /
$4,000" Cd. C. code, p. 240.
section 622).
trict Of Columbia for the extension Of
its sewer system, and 10 per cent Of
$148,650 for some Of the parks that
have always been supported jointly
by the Federal Government and the
District government-a total deduc-
ton from the S5,700,000 Of sl,335, ,705.
In other words. under this bill, with
this amendment, we are allowing the
same contribution that We allowed
last year of S5,700,000. When the
Public Works Board made the allot-
ment of sl,759,500 for sewers they
entered an order on their minutes
that their action be reported TO the
two Appropriation Committees Of
Congress, that Congress might deter
mine what part Of these allotments
the District should be required to pay.
We only ask that the District pay
what every other city throughout the
Union pays under the national re-
covery act under similar circum-
stances; and why not? do not want
to do an injustice to the District. II
s5,700,000 is right as contribution.
let us stick to it, and We are sticking
to it when the Public Wotks Board
makes a grant wherein the District
is to get 80 per cent free from the
United States and pay TO per cent
themselves. Let US make the District
live up to their proportionate share
like every other city. Therefore this
amendment is right and should be
adopted.
Cannon and Blanton Lead Fight.
Another change eliminated a legis-
lative provision which would have
prevented the Police Department
from having more than one assist
ant superintendent. There are two
now, and a vacancy in the third has
remained untitled since the promotion
of Mai. Ernest W. Brown to the su-
perintendency.
The fight against changes in the
bill was led by Blanton and Can
non, and despite an unusually small
attendance in the House it was
marked at times by extreme bitter
ness. At one time Blanton was re-
buked by Speaker Rainey for using
Objectionable language and impugn-
ing the motives of Representative Dit
ter, Republican Of Pennsylvania, who
led a valiant, but unsuccessful, battle
to restore many of the cuts made in
the original budget estimates.
Several other times Blanton ex-
changed bitter words with members
of his own party, including Chairman
Norton of the House District Com
mittee, and nearly came to blows
with Representative Cochran, Demo-
crat, of Missouri Both Mrs. Norton
and Cochran called attention to the
small attendance. Cochran said he
hoped the Senate would take notice
of the small attendance and the fact
Democratic cloak room to vote on
amendments they knew nothing about.
Cochran had previously endeavored
to have the House restore the 43 per
cent cut made in the personnel items
Of the Public Utilities Commission.
He declared that unless an increase
was granted the commission would be
crippled and placed at the mercy OF
private corporations.
Other Amendments Killed.
The other amendments that we're
voted down in rapid succession were
designed to:
Restore s50,900 cut from the esi-
mate of the Alcohol Beverage Control
Board; provide $4,000 for an engi-
neering survey preparatory to replac-
ing Chain Bridge; restore the num-
cipal lighting estimates to 1887 400;
withhold the dog tax from dogs used
to lead the blind; furnish education
aids to orphans Of World War vet
erans; restore $4,000 for replacing
equipment at the Shaw Junior High
School: restore $4,000 cut from the
fuel estimates of the public schools;
restore $4,000 to the Fire Depart
ment for purchase of new equipment;
restore estimates for the Jail to ST.
1923 to eliminate the seven day week;
increase the appropriations for the
Lorton Reformatory; restore s3,744
cut from the tuberculosis Hospital,
and provide s15o.oo0 for completion
Of the purchase of a site for the pro-
posed new Jefferson Junior High
School.
Cochran was Joined in his fight for
restoration of the funds cut from the
estimates Of the Utilities Commission
by Representative Harlan, Democrat,
of Ohio.
Harlan said the reduction would
destroy an agency that would be the
means of saving residents Of the Dis
trict many thousands of dollars.
"Manifestly." he declared. "if this
arbitrary reduction is not designed to
emasculate the commission, the nat
ural result of this act will be to
emasculate the commission and bring
on very palpable argument for pub
lie ownership. and this looks to me
like the purpose Of 1t.
THE job of the Utilities Commits
sion is to employ expert men, en-
gineers, auditors and lawyers to su-
pervise the work. I have not time
to 60 into the many things they have
done, but they have saved the citizens
OF the District many thousand dol
lars. Taking just one item, last year
there were mistakes in the accounts
Of the lighting company discovered by
the Utilities Commission that pro-
duced refunds of s65 900 to the citi-
zens of the District. Now, when you
are hamstringing and emasculating
the Utilities Commission of this Dis
trict, you are simply destroying an
agency that will mean the saving of
great many thousand dollars in
taxes and great savings to the people
of the District themselves. AS another
item. there was $4,000 held by the
gas company. When a citizen of the
District signs for gas he has to make
a deposit and these deposits we're held
by the gas company here for years.
"They paid no interest on this de-
posit and yet were getting the benefit
of interest from its use. The auditor
of the Utilities Commission disclosed
this and returned this interest to the