Evening star., 1936-08-22
Proposed Estimates Call for
$114,220, Raise of
65 Per Cent.
PARKS OFFICE SEEKS
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL
Heed of Police to Check Vandal-
ism Cited-Growth of Utility
Supervision Stressed.
BY DON s. WARREN.

estimates OF tne commission, WHICH
ask provision of $114,2 an increase
of 5,22O over this year, or about IS
per cent.
The increase would allow employ
ment of 16 additional staff members,
which would permit restoration Of the
remainder of the IA workers who were
eliminated in an economy" move OF
1894, and add six others.
The proposed reorganization would
include assignment Of specialized ac-
countants and auditors to the major
utilities, the telephone, electric light
and power, gas and transit compa-
nies, so they could become familiar
with each.
The Commissioners today also re-
leased estimates of the National Capt.
tai Parks Office and the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion.
The Parks Office seeks an appro-
priation totaling s1,l72,552, an in
crease of about 20 per cent over this
year, q large part of which would be
for additional personnel held to be
needed for proper maintenance,
management and operation of parks
and recreational areas. Provision of
II additional park police also is asked.
Reimbursement Fund Asked.
The Planning Commission asks an
appropriation of S352,500, an increase
of $4,000 over this year. OF this sum
100000 would be for reimbursement
of the Federal Government for money
spent for park and playground expan-
sion under the Capper- Cramton act.
The Utilities Commission appropria-
ton was so reduced in 1884 that the
number of employees was cut from 81
to IT. Representative Blanton of
Texas was primarily responsible for
the reduction. Only four Of IA dropped
have been restored to date.
The Commission asks the appoint
ment of two engineers, an inspector of
electric meters, and a second inspec-
tor; eight accountants, two clerks and
q messenger and an investigator.
Cite Increased Duties.
In support of its proposals, the COM
mission said: "Since the creation of
the commission, Congress has placed
additional duties upon it. The prop
critics and business of utilities have
increased. The aggregate gross reve-
nue. of the companies in 1918 (when
the commission was created) was>$11,-
440, 900, whereas the gross revenue in
1885 was $46,894,195. This is illus
tfative Of the increase in responsible
tty placed upon the commission"
The Investigators principal duties
would be to study special subjects
such as accounting principles estab-
lshed by the commission and similar
data on valuations and engineering
matters.
1.-THE most important work would be
of pioneering nature" said the COM
mission. mo regulatory body should
be content to operate in routine
manner year after year."
Inadequate police supervision Of
the parks has resulted in a large
amount Of physical damage from
vandals and petty thieves, the Ma
tional Parks Office said in justifying
request for an increase from s175,-
900 to $200,716 for the park police.
The proposed IL additional police
salaries would amount to $25,7l6. An
additional $6,40O was asked for uni
forms and $6,400 for other equipment.
Police Working Overtime.
It Is now necessary for park police
TO work IL to IA hours a day, the
Commissioners were told by C. Mar
shall Finnan, superintendent Of
National Capital Parks. He pointed
parks for games, ceremonies, band
concerts and other events requiring
police supervision"
The parks Office seeks an increase
Of s122,50O for other personnel serv-
ices, to bring the total to $474,410.
OF this sum $97,320 would be for the
employment of "A additional garden
ers, mechanics and laborers.
During the last seven years the
maintenance personnel costs have de-
creased from S158 per acre to $129 and
this has been aggravated by an in
crease in costs Of necessary materials,
the office said. It is proposed to raise
the maintenance fund to $225 per acre.
The Office explained that the acreage
under its care had increased from
1850 in 1881 to 5,607 in 1896.
OF the proposed increased person.
nel appropriations, $11,700 would be
used to employ 10 additional ground
keepers and laborers, in connection
with the operation of seven large
recreational areas now completed or
being developed, which will include
tennis courts, base ball diamonds and
foot ball fields.
Engineering Need Cited.
The remainder of the added person.
mel would be seven engineers, drafts
men and surveymen, having salaries
totaling S13,480, the Office holds are
needed for making boundaries and
gathering data on the physical condi-
tion of more than $4,000, 900 worth of
property bought for park purposes
In the last six years.
Under q proposed increase from
e373,500 to $483,0 for general ex-
penses, the parks ofice proposes q
number of physical improvements to
its areas, including installation Of
new light standards along Constitu-
tion avenue from Fifteenth street to
the Potomac River, placing traffic
lights on Constitution avenue at
Eighteenth, Ninteenth, Twentieth and
Twenty-first streets, new light posts
and electric services for the Ellipse,
lighting Of Piney Branch Parkway.
Bingham drive extension to Nebraska
avenue, Fort drive from Wisconsin