Evening star., 1937-03-30

treasurer Of the United States in
the water fund.
Another innovation is provided by
the committee to carry out the re-
organization program it initiated. An
appropriation of $4,000 is allocated
for a survey for an examinatio of
municipal activities to determine what
further changes and consultations
can be made in the interest of eff
cheney and economy. The committee
said ''it feels that there is overlapping
Of duties and lack of modern pro-
cedure which should be corrected and
that general survey of these activi-
ties will result in large savings in
the tax system would ultimately re-
suit in considerable increase in
taxes collected"
Allows Some Improvements.
Although the committee cut the
Budget Bureau estimates, it did allow
comparatively few capital improve
ments. These included the long pro-
posed health center. for which $780,
900 is provided, and some urgently
needed school house accommoda tions.
The principal projects authorized are
a combination Thomas Jefferson
memorial high school and library
new senior high chool at Fifth and
Sheridan streets and new building
for the Lenox Vocational School.
The long fight of civic and business
organizations in Southeast for a new
bridge to. replace the Pennsylvania
avenue span across the Anacostia
River was lost again. Instead OF pro-
viding funds for a new bridge, the
bill carries an appropriation of $40, 900
to make repairs-repairs, the COM
mittee said, which should make it
serviceable for another few years.
The plea of Police Supt. Ernest w.
Brown for additional policemen was
answered with ar appropriation for
salaries for Is more, but the COM
mittee severely scolded those on the
force for lack of courtesy, and said
responsible officials should do some
thing to stop it. The committee also
criticized the department for de-
voting too much attention to enforce
ment Of petty offenses, such as park
ing violations, and said officers could
devote their time more profitably to
investigating more serious viola
tons
Fights Bondsmen System
Some Of the other things the COM
mittee did, rather Unexpectedly, was
to eliminate the salary for the office
Of peoples counsel, which has been
vacant since November /, and pro-
vide for bonding commissioner in
the Office Of the corporation counsel.
The object OF the bonding commits
sioner would be to break up the
lucrative practice Of professional
bondsmen who ply their trade around
police precinct stations. Fees taken
In by the bonding commissioner
would occrue to the benefit Of the
District. His job would pay $4,000
year and he would have a staff Of
assistants.
Especially critical of health condi-
tions in Washington and its CORE
spondingly high mortality rate, the
committee allowed a substantial in
crease in funds for the Health De-
partment to combat disease and in
sanitary conditions. And in view OF
the department increased RESPONSE
billties in taking over supervision OF
Gallinger Hospital and the tubercu-
lOSiS Sanatoria, 1t provided An in.
crease in pay for DR.. George C. Ruh-
land, health officer, and his assistant,
Daniel L. Seckinger.
The committee likewise provided an
increase of $l6,880 in the Health De-
partment's funds, with specific in
structions that this money be used
to put into effect an inspection of all
public establishments and employees
where food is sold or served. Such an