Evening star., 1937-02-26
District Supply Bill Action
on Playground Change
Also Likely.
BUILDING PROPOSAL
OF BROWN MAY WIN
Increased Efficiency and Effective.
ness of Metropolitan and Parks
Departments Aim.
BY JAMES E. CHM,

SOQSOllQdJlOIl Ol Illc IucIl OpOlltdll
and Park police departments, and
abolition of the municipal playground
department and transfer of its ac-
tivities to the community center de-
partment of the public schools are
among the proposals under serious
consideration today by the House Sub
committee on Appropriations in charge
of the 1888 District supply bill.
The subcommittee, it is understood,
Is planning also to provide funds IN
the appropriation bill to bring closer
to a realization Police Supt. Ernest
w. Browns hope for a new police de-
partment building. An item is to be
included, it was reported, to finance
preparation of plans for the building.
Evidence has been given the SUD-
committee, it was learned, that con-
solidation of the Metropolitan ana
Park police forces, which has been ad-
vocated for years, would result in IN
creased efficiency and effectiveness OF
both departments. Likewise, 1t has
been told that placing all public play
grounds under direct supervision OF the
community center department would
be an economical move and preclude
overlapping of authority.
Chairman Collins of the subcommlt-
tee admits he believes both plans
would be in the interest of better ad-
ministration and increased efficiency
as well as economy
Supervision Arrangement.
Under the present Set-up," ne said,
IF a child plays in a school building
he is under supervision of the COM
munity center department. If he
plays on a playground he is under
supervision of the municipal play
ground department. I can't under
stand the necessity for such an ar
rangement."
Collins made the statement after the
subcommittee had questioned Miss
Sibyl Baker, supervisor of municipal
Fairgrounds, about the activities under
her control.
Reports of the study of merging the
Park Police force with the Metropoli-
tan Police Department followed the
appearance before the subcommittee
Of Police Supt. Brown.
Much of Mai. Browns testimony was
"off the record" Aside from the pro-
posed consolidation of the two police
forces, it is understood to have con-
cerned various activities of the Metro
politan Department in connection with
law enforcement.
"a suggestion was made to Maj.
Brown, it is understood, that police
are paying too much attention to
minor infractions Of police and traffic
regulations.
Maj. Brown repeatedly made favor
able impression on the subcommittee,
and indications are that the budget
recommendation for an increase of
25 in the motor patrol force will be
approved.
Chairman Collins indicated he be-
Ieved the department is now under
manned, as is the police force in nearly
all American cities, but that funds will
not be available in the coming fiscal
year to give Maj. Brown the additional
number of officers he regards as nee
essary. The proposed increase in the
motor patrol force, however, he de-
clared, should be of material aid to
the department, since officers assigned
to such details will be able to cover
o larger territory than the foot
patrolmen.
Relief Figure May Remain.
Although the subcommittee has not
yet reached the emergency relief item
OF 81 ,450 600 in the budget, it is under
stood this figure is not to be increased
The relief problem, however, is to be
discussed thoroughly when the esti-
mates of the Board of Public Welfare
are considered, probably tomorrow.
An effort is being made by Chair
man Collins to complete hearings on
the budget estimates before the close
OF the week so the subcommittee next
week can devote its attention to the
new fiscal relations plan recommended
In the report of J. L. Jacobs, Chicago
efficiency engineer.
Jacobs telegraphed Collins he would
return to Washington next week to
explain his complicated three-point
formula to the subcommittee. Is is
expected he will be called before the
subcommittee either Tuesday or
Wednesday.
Representative Kennedy, Democrat
Of Maryland, chairman of a special
subcommittee of the House District
Committee, which is making an indie
pendent study Of the new fiscal rela-
tions plan, also plans to call Jacobs
before his group the latter part of
next week.
In preparation for the hearings
Kennedy said he would ask Collins to
permit his subcommittee to sit with
the appropriations subcommittee when
Jacobs testifies. Kennedy is particu-
1srly anxious for his subcommittee
70 get the reaction of Collins sub
committee.