Evening star., 1938-02-01
MOVE: BY D|RKSEN
TO ADD 81 POLICE
BLOCKED IN HOUSE
Amendment Beaten, al to
18, After Schultz Suggests
Clerks Go on Beats.
CONFIDENTIAL FUND
SURVIVES ATTACK
Bitter Dispute Expected Over
100000 Public Assistance and
Street Lighting Change.
By JAMES E. CHINN.

A move by Representative Dirksen,
Republican, of Illinois, to add 81 men,
bers to the Metropolitan Police De-
partment to combat crime conditions
was definitely blocked in the House
today as it resumed consideration of
the 1881 District appropriation bill
An amendment offered by Repre-
sentative Dirksen, to add s65,45O to
the Police Departments appropriation
for the 81 additional officers-l cap
tain, 2 lieutenants, sergeants and
25 privates-Was rejected, Al to 49,
Mr.. Dirksen argued that if Police
Supt Ernest W. Brown is given 81
additional men he could be held re-
sponsible for crime conditions, but not
under existing circumstances. He said
he had just been informed by 1t.
Frank A. Varney. president of the
Policemen's Association. that a num-
Der of officers are now forced to work
overtime each day.
Schultz Leads Opposition.
Opposition to the amendment was
led by Representative Schultz, Demo-
crat, of Indiana. a member OF the
District Committee. He contended the
Police Department would have an ade-
quate staff if "A officers doing clerical
work in the precincts ARE put back on
the streets to do the work they were
| hired to do"
Mr.. Schultz said he agreed with
Chairman Collins of the District Ap-
preparations Subcommittee that
Washington is overpoliced and that
each of the Il precincts has three
officers doing clerical work. In ad-
dition, he pointed out. Is other po-
| licemen are serving on the hack in
spectlon staff.
These men look into taxicabs to
see if they are clean" he declared.
That's job any child can do"
The department also has 8 or 10
officers at headquarters. Mr. Schultz
| said handing out uniforms"
MIR. Schultz followed this attack
with an amendment to eliminate a
$4,000 item in the bill for conf
dential' fund for employment of
| undercover agents. The House. how
ever. turned down the amendment,
"a TO 9.
Other Battles in Sight.
Two more major battles are in
prospect before the House finally sends
the bill to the Senate.
Bitter disputes are expected over
the bills reduced public assistance
item of 5000 900 for the coming fiscal
year, and its proposal to saddle a
s765,o00 street lighting expense on mo-
torists
Shortly before the House resumed
consideration of the bill. Rufus S.
LuSk. president of the Washington
Taxpayers Association. bombarded
| members with kilograms urging that
not a cent be added to the present
s45.S27.322 total.
| The wires were received by Ma
| jority Leader Rayburn. Minority
Leader Smell and Chairman Collins CT
the Appropriations Subcommittee.
Mr.. Lusk pointed out that every
| dollar added to the present total
would mean increased taxes next year.
NIIiCll "OulU ilt lUU.UUU OWlVcIS Va
real and personal property.
AS anticipated, the bill sailed into
whirlpool in the House yesterday
| and made little progress in struggle
that lasted about five hours. Only IS
of the 89-page measure had been dis
posed of at the time of adjournment.
limo PnIief Arguuoenf
Prolonged arguments over the relief
situation and the fiscal relations prob
lem, coupled with the efforts of Chair
man Palmisano of the District Legis-
lative Committee to have every SEM
blance of legislation removed on points
of order, served to delay final action.
The net results of the five-hour bat
tie were:
l. Adoption of an amendment pro-
viding $4,000 for complete" investi-
cation of the administration of public
assistance funds by the District Leg
islative Committee of the House.
2. Flat refusal to increase the Fed
eral payment toward District expenses
above the present S5,O00.0 900 lump sum.
3. Elimination of a clause that will
prevent the peoples counsel, whose
Office is restored in the bill, from or
ing secretary and expert advisers.
4. Removal of the present restric-
tion prohibiting expenditure Of Dis
trict revenues for general advertising
iCoo n r. pTTI poDn A2N