Evening star., 1935-01-19
DISTRICT REP0SES
SUPPLY BILL HOPE
IN SENATE ACTION
More Sympathetic Attitude
Toward SO Legislation
Is Expected.
MEASURE UNCHANGED
IN PASSAGE BY HOUSE
Three Attempts to Boost School,
Police and Fire Funds Are
Unsuccessful.

To the Senate, Washington looked
today for more sympathetic treat
ment of the 1886 District supply bill
after the House passed it yesterday
without adding cent to the $39, ,3os,-
4O4 total recommended by the Anpro-
priations Committee. In fact, the
House refused to change figure or a
letter in the entire 8l-page bill.
Hearings on the measure are ex-
pected to start next week before the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
headed by Senator Thomas, Democrat,
of Oklahoma. He said he would call
the hearings at the convenience of the
Commissioners.
Amendments Voted Down.
Three unsuccessful attempts were
made in the House to increase the ap-
preparations for the public schools and
Police and Fire Departments. Amend
mentS designed to provide $87,540 to
continue the character education
course in the schools during the COM
ing fiscal year, and increase the police
force with IS privates were voted
down in rapid succession Another
amendment to provide $4,000 for two
additional hose wagons met a similar
fate.
The fight for the character educa-
tion item was led by Representative
Otter, Republican, of Pennsylvania,
member of the Appropriations Sub
committee which framed the bill. He
was supported by Representative Dirk
sen, Republican, of Illinois, men,
Der of the House District Committee.
Police Changes.
Representative Randolph, Demo-
crat, of West Virginia, who has just
been named chairman of a subcom-
mittee of the House District Commit
tee to investigate the crime situation
In washington, championed the in
crease in the police force.
Opposition to the changes came
chiefly from Representative Cannon,
Democrat. of Missouri, who had charge
Of the bill, and Representative Blan-
ton. Democrat of Texas. They fought
each of the three proposed amend
ments vigorously.
provides sl,000,0OO less than the
amount recommended by the Budget
Bureau and fixes the Federal Obliga-
tion to the District at S5,70000O.
The Federal payment, however, may
be changed in the Senate as a result
of the tax study being made by
Treasury experts at the direction of
President Roosevelt.
Prolonged Debate. w.
Differs first amendment to insert
in the bill an item of $4,000 for the
salary of the assistant superintendent
in charge of character education pre-
cipitated a prolonged debate.
Otter appealed for restoration of
the character education items on the
ground DR.. Frank w. Ballou, super
intendeht of schools, was an out
standing educator and knew the value
OF this new feature in the curricula
of the public schools. He said the
House should follow DR.. Ballou's "rea-
sonable suggestions"
Blanton declared no public schools
were treated any better" than those
IN the District. He said the schools
here are about the best equipped and
have the best teachers of any in the
United States. He pointed out the
superintendent receives a salary of
$4,000 a year, which is far in excess
OF the compensation paid professors
at leading colleges.
Blanton also declared he believed
DR.. Ballou to be as good a superin-
tendent of schools as could be found,
but at the same time he thought the
superintendent was being overpaid.
Police Increase Fails.
The amendment of Representative
to increase the appropria-
tion of the Police Department by
S66,500 to provide the IS additional
men was next voted down, 43 to 40.
Again action was preceded by an
animated debate, with the opposition
led by Cannon and Blanton. Repre-
sentative Bulwinkle, Democrat, Of
North Carolina, supported Randolph's
amendment and declared traffic con-
d1tions in Washington are so serious
additional officers are needed.
Cannon explained his subcommittee
had made thorough investigation
and found the additional funds are
not needed because crime conditions
here are far less serious than in the
average American city and the per
capita number of policemen is
greater.
Cannon also insisted that the police
force had been increased by 65 men in
the last year.
Bulwinkle told Cannon during the
discussion he was not interested in
the crime situation in Washington
but in traffic safety. He declared that
If the appropriation for additional
men would save only one life in the
coming fiscal year, Congress should