Evening star., 1936-06-12
CITY HEADS TURN
TOPRES|OENTf FOR
DC. B|lL'SRESCUE
Commissioners Throw Open
Support to Senate
Measure.
THOMAS CONFERENCE
PLANNED NEXT WEEK
Great Damage to Capital Feared
il Continuing Resolution
Is Substituted.

Throwing their open and unqusl lified
support TO passage of the 1887 Dis
rrict budget bill as adopted by the
Senate. the Commissioners today
looked 70 President Roosevelt for ef-
tective aid 10 prevent severe damage
10 District operations which would
result from substitution of q con-
tinuing resolution.
Surveying the damage that would
come from wreckipg of rhe regular
supply bill for the National Capital.
the Commissioner planned first to
confer early next week, probs Div Mon
day. with Senator Thomas Of Okla
homs, who was in cha rye of Uhe bill
on the Senate side.
They will be guided by MS views.
but It was clear the aid of the White
House will be sought 10 end the i'm
pa sse crested by refusal OF House
managers 10 ssree TO Federal pay
ment toward National Capital ex-
oenses Of more than So 700. 900.
IS. .1a0.eee 10 Senate Bill.
The Senate bill carries this rrem al
IS. 700 900. the same figure sppropri-
sLed for The current f1scsl year. snd
which was recommended for inclusion
IN the 1887 bill by both the Budget
Bureau snd the President.
The plan for White House inuerven-
lion probably would be request for
an audience with the President 10 be
arranged by Senator Thomas. if ne is
in accord with that move. The dele
CATION 10 the White House would in
ciIoe Senator Thomas and the Com
mfssioners.
Senator Thomas has proved over a
long period that he is true friend OF
the District. as indicated by his fair
plsy on the fiscal relations problem. -
ss1d Commissioner Hazen.
We are grstified over his deter
mined stand 10 prevent a further re-
duction in the Federal responsibility
toward maintenance and development
of the Nstionsi Capital. We will abide
oy his views.
Substs ntise Las Ignored.
Substantive law still provides rhat
the National Capital costs be divided
$3.50 between the municips lity and
the Federal Government. This has
been progressively chopped down as
The annual battle over the payment re-
ours between Senate and House con-
ferees on the bill.
Heretofore year after wear. the
Senate managers have given ground in
the interests OF getting 3 regular bill
through The congressional machinery.
This issue, in sll fairness, should be
definitely settled this time"
Calculations made by Mai. Daniel
J. Donovan District budget officer,
showed tnst improvement projects
valued at nearly S7O0O.0OO would
be lost If The regular bill fails
since q continuing resolution would
throw the District operations on q
bare subsistence basis.
To make ma tiers worse. plans for
sn increased attack on disease,
crime. Jrsff1c ills and inspection serv-
ices would suffer because no increases
in personnel would be allowed. Needed
additional school teachers would be
denied and Ghe unemployment situa-
zion would be made more severe due
TO loss OF many jobs which would be
available under the proposed city con-
programs, for new schools,
the Petworth Branch Library. sewer,
water and street extensions
Citizens 10 Visit White BonAe.
A citizens delegation plsnned
meanwhile TO visit the White House
and Congress to demand passage of
the bill
Headed by Thomas r. Lodge presi-
dent Of the Federation of Citizens
the group anticipates
q petition to the White
House and every member Of Congress
Lodge said the visits await COM
pletion of printing Of the petition, a
copy OF which will be dispatched to
the President by telegraph.