Evening star., 1938-03-16
SENATE ACTION
F. ON D. c. BILL NEAR
Agreement Setting Sum at
$4,000 May Come
Up Tomorrow.

w VIIlVIt VSvv
The Senate probably will act to-
morrow on the conference report on
the 1889 District appropriation bill,
which carried approximately $47,0OO,-
900 when the last few differences were
adjusted by House and Senate man.
ayers late yesterday.
This fixes the deficit to be met by
new taxation at about $3,7O0,00O, q
problem now being considered by the
House District Committee This esti-
mate of the deficit takes into account
the prediction of municipal officials
that the business privilege tax will
fall 100000 short of producing the
revenue expected from it this year.
After several days of negotiation
the conferees agreed on a highway
construction program including the
following: A new Pennsylvania Ave-
nue. Bridge across the Anacostia River,
Thomas Circle traffic underpass. K
street grade separation project at Rock
Creek-Potomac Parkway and a modi-
fled plan for improving traffic condi-
| tions on that park drive by building
$l25,0O0 new tunnel under Massa-
chusetts avenue NV.
Tunnel Replaces Bridge.
The aforementioned project was in
lieu Of bridge across Massachusetts
avenue at this point, which would
have cost s460,OOO The proposed
tunnel underneath the avenue would
fit into bridge plan later.
The Dupont Circle traffic underpass
was eliminated. along with a list of
new street paving items the Senate
had included. This leaves a balance
of 100000 in the highway fund for
the following year.
The unemployment relief fund re-
mains at the original House figure
Of 100000. The Senate's amend
ment for an immediate investiga-
ton Of relief was adopted, but the
date for filing the report was ex-
tended from May / to August l.,
which means no further action by
Congress is likely until next January,
since adjournment is expected by
June.
The conferees did not change the
House provision which prohibits re-
lief officials from spending more than
one-tWelfth of the fund each month.
AS soon as the conference report is
adopted Senator Thomas of Oklahoma
and Representative Collins of Missis-
sippi, the subcommittee chairmen in
charge of the bill, will appoint the
\ expert to make the relief survey.
Sidney R. Katz, representing the
Washington branch of the c. I. O., said
his group was "aghast' at reports
the study of relief needs might not be
completed before next January. De-
claring thousands of relief clients here
will suffer SLOW starvation" if the
present relief program is adhered to,
he urged that Congress. if the study
is to be held over, empower Public As
sistance Division officials to spend the
100000 available without regard to
a monthly limitation
Library Plans Restored.
The conference agreement restores
the House item of 100000 to prepare
plans for new Public Library Build
ing. with part of the municipal
center area designated as the site.
No provision was sought, however, for
starting the building at this time.
The House yielded to the Senate
on elimination OF the plan to acquire
Homeopathic Hospital for use as a
health center and convalescent home.
The reappropriation of $l65.O00 from
the health center fund Of last year,
which was to have been used for that
purpose, becomes saving toward re-
ducing the deficit.
The House succeeded in having the
National Training School for Girls
closed. The colored inmates will 90
to the Industrial Home School for
Colored at Blue Plains and the white
inmates to the Industrial Home School
for White Children on Wisconsin
avenue.
A compromise was reached on the
Children's Receiving Home. 1t will
remain open until January /. BY
that time the conferees hope the old
Police Court Building will have been
remodeled for the Womanss Bureau
Of the, Police Department. and chill
dren requiring temporary care will be
quartered there.
Separate Vote on Meters.
The conferees reached a tacit agree
ment in favor of the Senate amend
ment for a tryout of automobile
parking meters, but the amendment
requires separate vote when the
conference report reaches the House.
The Senate yielded to the House by
eliminating sl5o.ooo for purchase Of
a site for National Guard armory.
The House succeeded In prohibit
ing operation by the Highway De-
partment of its own testing labora-
tory.
The Senate increase of so in the
size Of the police force to combat
crime conditions was cut to 10, which,
with already allowed by the House,
makes II additional men.
The House provision for a survey
of the city's power needs with a
view to establishing municipal serv-
ice was stricken out.
The House provision allowing $4,000
for study Of reorganization Of the
District government was approved, but
the fund divided equally between the
House and Senate District Commit
tees. Under the House bill the fund
was for the House committee only.
The Senate lost In its efforts to ear
mark $25,000 Of the Gallinger Hos
pital appropriation for employment
of more nurses. Instead the House
plal to engage five resident physi-
clans was adopted.
The cost Of street lighting, $765, 900,
remains Under the general fund and
accounts for substantial part Of the