Evening star., 1938-02-02

Without a thouqht for the 1
be bad for the nert sir Deeks
today, Mr.. Shane Groundhog plt
ID. C, Bill
Continued From First Page)
House leaders forced q delay in the
vote on his motion.
Recommittment Not Likely.
The bill, however, is in form for
final passage. No further changes can
be made unless it is recommitted to
the Appropriations Committee. And
that is not likely.
AS it now stands. the measure calls
for appropriations totaling s45,O75. 1872.
or $751; less than recommended by
the Appropriations Committee. The
change is due primarily to elimination
Of the s765,000 street lighting item.
and several additional appropriations
approved on the House floor.
These include $4,000 to finance an
investigation of administration of pub
lie relief funds, and the same amount
for employment of an expert to
analyze various plans for reorganiza-
ton OF the municipal government The
other additions are $1,000 to restore
the present salary of $1,000 a year to
Mrs. Josephine Pittman Prescott, di-
| rector 0f tho p,roou ~ N,,re;or -
the Health Department which the bill
proposed to cut to $4,000. and a $4,000
increase in the fund recommended for
relief of the needy blind.
Diversion CHARGED.
The S765.000 street lighting fund
was removed largely at the insistence
of Representative Nichols. Democrat,
OF Oklahoma, who contended the bills
proposal to saddle this expense on mo-
torists by charging it to the gasoline
tax fund would constitute diversion
This item undoubtedly will be restored
by the Senate. but If charged against
the general revenues Of the District,
instead Of the gas tax fund. will raise
ohAC oAtlSApdtCO puuHct
deficit in the coming fiscal year to
$2.647,5O0.
The House engaged in a protracted
debate and became involved in several
parliamentary entanglements during
the efforts Of Mr.. Nichols to save mo-
torists the expense of bearing the
street lighting bill. He argued such a
plan would constitute diversion of the
gasoline tax fund. and quoted a deci-
sion Of Thomas H. Mcdonald, chief of
the Bureau Of Public Roads, to sup
port it.
As result. he declared. the District
faced the loss of s750.O00 in Federal
highway aid funds. Chairman Cart
wright of the House Roads Committee
also warned that the plan clearly"
constituted diversion, and said its ap-
proval by Congress would "open the
doors" to the 48 States to divert gaso-
line tax revenues.
Relief Increase Beaten.
Mr.. Dirksen made his motion for re-
committal Of the bill after losing his
fight to have the public assistance ap-
preparation increased from 5000, 900 to
81 900 900. An amendment he offered
to raise the fund was defeated, 81
to 81.
Mr.. Dirksen and the members who
supported his amendment presented
graphic descriptions of mass starva-
ton in washington due to present
inadequate relief funds, and Repre-
sentative Lewis. Democrat, of Mary
land pointed out that unemployed en-
ployables now are not even given "a
crust Of bread"
Others who supported Mr.. Dirksen
included Representatives Bigelow of
Ohio and Voorhis of California, both
Democrats.
Mr. Voorhis pointed out $4,000 per-
sons in Washington are registered
for employment without q job in
sight" and declared:
Don't condemn for starvation those
whom America offers no opportunity
for employment"
Practice Christianity"
Mr.. Bigelow said. 1T Is time for
Congress to practice Christianity"
and Mr.. Dirksen declared:
You can write it down in the
books that the people Of the District
want this increase. And they will
pay for most Of it out of their own
pockets"
Chairman Collins of the Appropria-
tions Subcommittee which framed the
bill argued, however, only "a few
social workers" wanted increased re-
lief funds, and that the rank and
nle' Of citizens did not.
Chairmsn Palmisano of the Dis
trict Legislative Committee continued
his attack on the bill by raising, at
every opportunity, point Of order
against various provisions he regarded
as legislation. Twice he was VIC
torious. and in doing so, saved the
Capital Transit Co. $4,000 it would
have been required to pay for relo-
cation OF its tracks under Dupont
Circle when an underpass is con-
structed in accordance with plans
authorized in the bill.
Fighting for "Principle."
Representative Palmisano said he
was not interested in the transit COM
pany. but was fighting for a "prin-
ciple." The Appropriations Commit
tee. he contended, should not attempt
to write legislation into an appropria-
ton bill. since his committee is
charged with all District legislative
functions.
i The other provision removed on
Mr.. Palmisauos point Of order VA