Evening star., 1936-04-05
Subcommittee May Favor
Broadening officials
Authority.
THOMAS IN FAVOR
OF BIGGER LUMP SUM
Necessity of Providing School Fa-
cilities for Children of Tempo
rary Residents Cited.
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

Trafic conditions. particularly park
ing problems in congested areas, will
be gone into in connection with the
1887 District appropriation bill. it was
announced last night by Senator
Thomas, Democrat of Oklahoma,
chairman of the Senate subcommittee
holding hearings on the measure.
The Commissioners, ne revealed,
have been requested to submit before
the hearings close what they regard
as unsolved traffic difficulties, with
indications the subcommittee may
amend the supply bill to broaden
their traffic authority, If the testi-
mony develops the need for such ac-
ti0n.
Another important development
came yesterday, when Senator Thomas
pointed out that the necessity of pro-
viding school facilities here for the
children of many temporary residents
in the Government service from other
parts of the country constitutes an
added reason why the Federal share
of District expenses should be in
creased. In the pending bill the House
cut the Federal payment down from
the budget figure Of $5,700,000 to
$2.700,000. although the S42,573,283
total Is $908, 900 above the budget
total.
School Needs Voiced.
Much of the testimony at yester-
days executive hearing dealt with re-
quests for additional school buildings
and teachers, presented by community
organizations. After receiving from
school officials an estimate that more
than one-half of the children in
the schools are sons and daughters
of Government employees, Senator
Thomas expressed the belief that
is an argument for increasing the
Federal payment" He recalled that
of the total in the pending bill, about
| 2,0OO.00 is for the schools
The Senator said there are approxi-
mately 100000 Federal employees here
and $4,000 municipal employees. Point
ing out that many of those in the
Government service are temporary
residents of Washington, he indicated
he did not think the permanent resi-
dents should be taxed for the resulting
increased requirements placed on the
school system.
A general discussion of the various
factors justifying more equitable ap-
| portionment of the total in the bill
between the Federal Government and
the local community will be presented
by civic organizations before the hear
ings close. 1t may take all this week
to complete the taking of testimony.
The subcommittee then will begin de-
liberating on changes in the House
provisions.
In considering how much should be
allowed for unemployment relief foa
the year beginning July /, it is UNDER
stood some members of the Senate
subcommittee have pointed out that if
the amount finally agreed upon now
should prove inadequate, Congress
could consider taking further action
when it returns next January. AS ia
the more immediate relief problem
for the next three months, the addi-
tional amount being sought by local
officials could be considered in last
deficiency bill which Congress will
bring out near the end of the present
session, it was said.
Definite Action Probable.
Indications yesterday were that
subcommittee members are disposed
to take definite action to improve
traffic conditions. Senator Thomas
described some phases of the traffic
situation as "unendurable." Chair
man King of the Senate District Com
mittee is cooperating in the plan to
have the District Subcommittee OF
the Appropriations Committee take
up the subject of traffic. He is an
ex-officio member of the Appropria-
tions Subcommittee.
.Al-day parking near public build
ings and in the congested business
section. Senator Thomas said. prevents
(See D. c. BILL, Page B-3.)