Evening star., 1936-08-20
]. c. WELFARE UNIT
SEEKS $11,%1,792
80 APPROPRIATION
40 Per Cent Increase Over
Current Funds Asked
by Board.
INCREASED PERSONNEL
REQUIREMENTS CITED
Construction Money Requests Also
Account for Portion Of
Estimate Boost.
BY DON s. WARREN.

The Commissioners problem Of
framing an economical budget Tor the
next fiscal year was further comph-
Gated today when they found the
Board of Public Welfare estimated
S11.381,792 would be needed for Dis
trict welfare, penal and hospital oper-
alton for 1938-an increase of 40 per
cent over current appropriations.
An increase of S3,267.442 over cur
rent funds of $8,114,350 for these
agencies was proposed, although the
Commissioners had instructed all de-
partments to hew to "strict economy, "
80 the Commissioners, themselves
would not have to make such deep
cuts.
Many of the agencies plead the need
Of greater maintenance and operation
funds and increased personnel. Con-
siderable sums are sought for con-
struction work, notably at the Work
house and Reformatory. the District
Training School for Predetermined, al
Laurel, Md, and at the tuberculosis
Sanatoria. at Glenn Dale, Md.
End of Overtime Sought.
Furthermore, some 465 additional
employees must be hired, at a cost OF
more than $552,000, the Board argued
If the present staffs are to be given
the 26-day annual leave provided by
Congress, and if they are placed on
the standard hours of labor. of SO to
A hours a week, as suggested In
survey instituted at congressional
suggestion.
The welfare agencies generally sub
mitted estimates to provide both for
the annual leave and the standard
work week, in full agreement with
the move to end overtime work.
For the workhouse and reforma-
tory, the Board seeks 131 additional
employees, at cost OF $l96,540 over
and above the standard hours and
leave proposals. OF this number, 1oo
would be additional guards for the
penal institutions, which Capt M. M
Barnard holds to be necessary for
proper safety of operations.
Need of expansion of housing facili-
ties and utility services at the work.
house and reformatory also are
stressed in requests for $528.000 for
buildings.
Training School Asks S7S3,876.
The District Training School pro-
poses the greatest proportionate in.
crease in its funds. 1t seeks $7S3,876
as against $l90,O2O granted for this
year, an increase of more than 300
per cent. The Board proposes to spend
about s50O,O00 for a building expan-
sion program.
Use of the old tuberculosis Hospi-
tai at Fourteenth and Upshur streets
as an adjunct of Gallinger Municipal
Hospital, for the care OF obstetrical
cases, is proposed by the board. The
building is to be vacated about Janu-
ary 1 with the opening of the new
adult tuberculosis sanatorium at Glenn
Dale, Md.
There now are two definite bids for
the property. The Board of Education
sought use of the property as site for
q new Wilson Teachers College. The
welfare board asked for S51,320 for
the operation Of the building as an
obstetrical ward and for renovation
of the building. If this were done, it
argued, it would save the spending Of
100000 for a necessary new ward at
Gallinger. Last year the board pro-
posed acquisition of Columbia Hospi-
tai for Women as an obstetrical ward,
but the plan fell through. The board
stated the obstetrical ward at CALM
ger is the most seriously crowded of
all, that beds now must be placed in
corridors.
S2,765,S40 for Public Aid.
For public assistance, the board
asks S2,765 $40, an increase of $827.-
575 over the 81 ,938, ,265 for this year.
OF the total, 81. 300 900 would be spent
for emergency relief, as against ST.
600000 appropriated for this year.
For relief of the needy blind there
would be $4,000, the same as for
this year. but the board asks SAIL $40
for care of the aged, as against 1884,
265 for this year.
The welfare estimates were the sec
ond set made public. The Board of
Education sought total of SIT 7,525,-
619, an increase Of $5,030,6 or 40
per cent, over this year. The two, to-
gether, called for a boost of some $8,-
100000 over current appropriations.
The welfare board seeks the en-
ployment of IA additional workers at
q cost Of $23,500, nine to be social
workers and three to be dictaphone
operators, and two clerks. Eight OF
the social workers would be assigned
to the child welfare division to cut
down the case load on its staff men,
bers approximately to the accepted
standard.
Because Of an expected increase in
the cost Of care Of wards Of the divi-
sion in boarding homes. an increase
from $3.50, 900 to $296,000 for the pur-
pose Is asked.
Five More Employees Sought.
Five additional employees are sought
for the Receiving Home for Children,
at a cost of 5000 to give the staff Of
that agency a 44-hour week.
At the Jail nine additional workers
would be needed to apply standard
hours of labor and four others to pro-
vide the 26-day annual leave, the total
additional salary cost being $l9,320.
The guards now work 56-hour week.
If the additional men were not pro-
vided the guards could be given 51a-
day week only by having them work
o 10-hour day. the board said.
Anticipating continued increase
In the population of the prisons. the
board asks 5000 to continue con-
struction Of the walled group" in
cluding construction of an additional
cell block. x7l 600 for continuing con.