Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-03-04

the disallowance Of three new positions
provided in the estimates.
Funds for the surveyors Office also
were cut $6,740. the reduction prevent
ing the employment of an assistant
engineer, an assistant engineering field
aid and two apprentice engineering
field aids.
An appropriation is recommended
for the first time. however, for ad-
ministration of the unemployment
compensation act. The amount fixed
is $3.50
The appropriations recommended for
street and road improvement and re-
pair total $2.6l9,080. an increase Of
S246.000 over the budget estimates.
OF the total recommended. $2,339, 480
is payable from the gasoline tax fund
and $4,000 from the general rev.
enues of the District.
A number Of items in the estimates
for the operation of the new sewage
disposal plant at Blue Plains were
eliminated by the committee on the
ground that the original figures were
excessive. The total reduction on the
sewage disposal plant items is $33.l92.
Although the recommended appro-
priation for the street lighting was
trimmed $4,000 the committee said
street lights could be operated on a
full-time basis in the coming fiscal
year due to the recent reduction in
electric rates.
For the public schools the commit
tee recommended an appropriation of
$12,179,772, which is Sl13,027 more
than provided in the budget estimates.
However, by elimination OF the char
acter education item, the committee
saved 1860, the amount that would
have been necessary to pay the SAL
aries of an assistant superintendent
in charge, IL clerks and % research
assistants and counselors.
Explaining the elimination of the
character education item, the COM
mittee said:
THE committee has held exhaustive
hearings on this question and on the
subject Of the teaching or advocating
communism in the public schools,
which the hearings will disclose Is in
separately connected Herewith. In
connection with the House hearings
on character education in the 1896
appropriation bill the superintendent
of schools testified page AID that
what we are trying to do is to set up
a new philosophy of education-'
And on page 482 of the same hear.
ing he stated further: I do not see
how any one could expect to start out
with this experiment involving more
than $50 teachers, whose philosophy
has got to be changed fundamental
ly-
Subcommittee Views.
1.-THE committee cannot subscribe to
this principle advocated by the SUPER
intendent Of schools. The subcom-
mittee was of the unanimous opinion
that the Board of Education should
take immediate steps to eliminate from
the schools all communistic books and
magazines. We therefore recommend
the elimination Of all funds for char
acter education"
Police fund Cut $l6, $50.
The Police Department. did not fare
SO well. Its budget-approved total of
1926, $40 was cut by $16,660. One of
the items eliminated would have given
Lieut.. Rhoda Milliken, in command
of the Woman's Bureau, the rank of
captain and provided for the appoint
ment of two additional sergeants. The
committee. however, allowed $10,700
for automatic promotions, and funds
for some new equipment, including q
prison van and an armored cruiser.
The Fire Department, on the other
hand, was granted an increase of $44,-
500 over budget estimates to provide
new equipment. This equipment will
consist Of two aerial hook and ladder
trucks, combination hose wagon and
a pumping engine.
In granting the increase the COM
mittee explained: 1.-THE budget esti-
mates for this purpose (new equip
ment) provide for one aerial hook and
ladder truck, three combination hose
wagons, and one pumping engine at
cost of $47,5o0. Inquiry by the COM
mittee has disclosed that several pieces
Of fire equipment now in service are
from IS toll years old. During the
hearings the committee was advised
by the chief Of the Fire Department
that the replacement Of this equip
ment was absolutely necessary to fur
nish proper IRE protection"
Health Department Cuts.
Cuts made in the appropriation for
the Health Department included SIS
for two smoke inspectors. . stenog-
rapher at 8, 800, and So, 400 for tuber.
culosis and venereal disease clinics.
The sum recommended for tubercu-