Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-03-04
DRAST|CLUMP -SUM
SLASH PROvOKES'
DEBATE IN HOUSE,
Cut of U. S. Obligation to
100000 Astounds City
Heads and Taxpayers.
HIGHER TAXES THREATEN
UNLESS BILL is ALTERED
Blanton, Proud of Measure, Eff
fects Reductions in Many of
Districts Vital Agencies.
BY JAMES E. CHM.


The House today resumed general
debate on the 1887 District appro-
priation bill "a measure that as
founded the Commissioners and con-
fronted taxpayers with the Specter OF
increased taxation in the coming fiscal
year.
Heralded in advance by Chairman
Blanton of the Appropriations Sub
committee as the best" supply bill
ever written for the Capital, the meas
ure as reported to the House, a care
full analysis shows. will unbalance the
financial ledgers to such an extent that
RED ink will have to be used for the
first time in years, unless radical ad-
justments are made by either the
House or Senate.
Throughout the bill the Blanton in
f1uence is pronounced. The Federal
obligation toward the expenses of the
District, which the Texan frequently
commended has been too high, is cut
from s5,7o0,000 to s2.700, 900. the low
est in history. Substantive law, still
unrepealed, fixed the Federal share at
40 per cent of the total appropriation,
Welfare Funds Cut.
Other glazing instances of Blan-
tons obvious handiwork are repre-
scented in elimination of an item of
$78660 for continuation of the char
acter education experiment in the pub
lie schools, cut in the recommended
appropriations for the Health Depart
ment and public welfare and new
provision which would prevent any
District official or employe receiving
$4,000 year or more from holding
''outside' positions.
Ever since the origin of character
education, Blanton has fought an APP
preparation for its introduction in the
schools. Recently he clashed with a
group of doctors seeking increased
funds for the protection of public
health, and a few days later went on
the floor of the House to criticize physi-
clans on the District pay roll who
also engage in private practice.
AS soon as the Commissioners
learned what the Blanton subcommit-
tee had turned out for the 1887 appro-
prlation bill, they went into executive
session and decided to appeal to the
more sympathetic Senate Subcommit-
tee on Appropriations to repair the
damage. The major plea will be to
raise the Federal obligation to at least
S5700,000, the same amount as pro-
vided for the current fiscal year.
UNFAIR" Says Copeland.
The House subcommittee drastic
cut in the Federal contribution was
described today as below the limit
of fairness" by Senator Copeland.
Democrat. of New York.
Senator Thomas. Democrat. of Okla
homa. as chairman of the subcom-
mittee that will handle the bill in
the Senate, withheld comment on
the House provisions until the meas
ure is considered by his committee,
which is expected to hold hearings
soon after the bill passes the House.
Senator Copeland. who has had long
service both on the Senate District
Committee and the Appropriations
Subcommittee, said:
II am sorry about the reduction in
the Federal payment and I regard it
as below the limit of fairness. regret
also the elimination of character edu-
cation in the schools and the holding
down of funds for public health and
hospital facilities"
Items Juggled.
AS reported to the House yesterday.
the bill carries appropriations totaling
$42,573,283, exclusive of permanent
tSee SUPPLY BILL, Page A.