Evening star., 1934-12-20
Leaders May Be Called
Tomorrow to Recommend
improvements.
STREET CITES NEED
FOR s3,O00,O00 RELIEF
Subcommittee Considers Tuber-
culosis Hospital, Training School
and Home for Aged.

Continuation of the existing water
rates of $685. for 10000 cubic feet is
, provided in the 1886 District budget,
il was learned today as the House
Appropriations subcommittee pre-
pared to consider the estimates of the
Water Department
The rates were slashed July ! last
from S8.75 and the metered allow
ance raised from $500 to 10000 cubic
feet. The reduction, coupled with the
increased allowance, was estimated to
save water rent payers approximately
100000 year.
The Water Department, it is un-
derstood. urged that the reduced rate
oe continued through the coming fis-
cal year and the Budget Bureau ap-
proved it. Indications are the sub
committee also will follow the Water
Departments recommendations.
The Water Departments estimates
are the last to be taken up by the sub
committee in connection with the
hearings on the 1886 budget and
Chairman Cannon expects to reach
them before the end of the day. If
this program is followed, representa-
titveS of civic and business organiza-
tions will be given an opportunity to-
morrow and Saturday to present their
requests for public improvements.
Hearings Requested.
Already about a dozen organizations
have asked for time. These include
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions and the Washington Board of
Trades Bridge Committee.
The subcommittee at its initial ses-
sion today completed consideration of
the important public welfare estimates
and made arrangements to devote the
afternoon to those of the District
Militia, National Capitol parks, Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission, National Geological Park
and finally the Water Department.
The emergency relief program for
1896, a major item in the welfare esti-
mates, was discussed in detail by
Commissioner George E. Allen and
Elwood Street, director of public well
fare The Commissioners sought So
100000 to carry out the relief work in
the coming fiscal year. but the Budget
Bureau reduced the figure to S2,000,-
600, the same as appropriated for the
current fiscal year.
Street is said to have given the sub
committee a vivid picture of the relief
situation in the District, showing more
than 10000 families are now on the
relief rolls, and Allen pointed out that
more than 100000 is needed in the
l.
present program.
Other estimates in the welfare bud
get taken up by the subcommittee in
cluded those of the tuberculosis Hos
pital, Gallinger Municipal Hospital,
District Training School, Industrial
Home School. Home for the Aged and
Infirm and st. Elizabeth'S Hospital.
Capt M. M. Barnard, general sup
erintendent of District penal institu-
tions; Wilbur La Roe, jr.. a member
of the Parole Board, and Justice AL
preme Court, appeared before the
subcommittee late yesterday and were
questioned about the various activities.
Wheat Defends Jurors.
SdpO. DdIIldlu dlSU ulSco du dp-
preparation to complete the walled
inclosure at the District Reformatory
at Lorton, Va, while La Roe is under
stood to have requested funds for
the Parole Board.
Justice Wheat was questioned about
the District jury system and is re-
ported to have told the subcommittee
he believed the type of persons Sc
lected for jury service here are of
as high caliber as anywhere in the
country.
In connection with conditions at
Lorton, Capt. Barnard was asked
about reports that prisoners were be-
ing allowed to come to Washington on
pleasure trips, and that several had
been caught at the institution operat-
ing still. Barnard is understood to
have replied that he learned certain
favored prisoners several years ago
were permitted to visit Washington,
but he had stopped that practice long
ago. The story about the still, he
said, obviously grew out of an attempt
Of several prisoners to concoct a drink
out of fruit juices which had been
concealed in jar to await fermenta-
ton.