Evening star., 1938-03-02
SENATORS WEIGH
NEW BRIDGE ITEM
AND UNDERPASSES
Subcommittee Is Expected
to Complete District
Bill Today.
MANY CHANGES MADE
IN HOUSE MEASURE
$500 Voted for Relief Inquiry.
Diversion of Gas Tax for
Lighting Rejected.

With number of changes in the
1889 District supply bill already agreed
upon, including provision for an i'm
mediate inquiry by experts to deter
mine the extent of the city's relief
needs, the Senate Appropriations Sub
committee was expected to complete
its revision of the measure this after
noon.
The subcommittee left for decision
today the question of whether to ap-
prove traffic underpasses at Dupont
and Thomas Circles, and whether to
restore the S65OOOO omitted by the
House for beginning new Pennsyl-
vania avenue bridge
In place of the House item of $4,000
for a relief investigation by the House
District Committee, the Senate SUBJ
committee voted to allow $500 for
survey to be made under the direc-
ton of an independent expert. ap-
pointed by the chairmen of the House
and Senate Appropriations Commit
tees, Representative Taylor of Colorado
and Senator Glass of Virginia.
S9UU,UUU Item Retained.
Meanwhile, the relief fund will be
left at the House figure of 100000,
but it is intended to have the survey
completed in time to place additional
funds in the last deficiency bill, if it
Is shown to be needed.
AS predicted earlier, the s765,OOO
street lighting item was placed in the
general revenue fund, where a S2,000.-
600 deficit to be met by new taxes
already existed. The subcommittee
also restored number OF cuts the
House made in budget estimates
throughout the bill, so that the deficit
may run around S3O00.000 when the
bill is enacted. This will depend, how
ever. not only on final Senate action,
but on the number of changes made
later in conference.
Balance Left for Bridge.
BY keeping street lighting out of the
highway fund. in recognition of the
argument it would constitute diver
sion, the subcommittee has left in
the highway fund balance more
than sufficient to provide for the Penn
SylVanla avenue brldge.
The subcommittee restored funds for
continued operation of the National
Training School for Girls and the
Children's Receiving Home. which the
House bill would have closed. The
House proposed sending the training
school inmates to Lorton. and the
children to the House of Detention
The funds for maintenance of sum-
mer Fairgrounds in school yards was
transferred back to the Municipal
Fairgrounds Department. instead Of
the Community Center office.
The subcommittee also is reported
to have eliminated the House item
designating part of the municipal
center area as site for future erec-
tion of a new Public Library building,
and the 100000 for preparation of
plans
If the subcommittee completes work
today, the bill may be reported to the
Senate by the Appropriations Com
mittee tomorrow or Friday.
The Senate group also struck out
the House item for purchase of Home
opathic Hospital for use as health
center instead of building a new one
in the same section of the city. Both
the hospital and library items, how
ever, would have a change for resto-
ration in conference, even if the
Senate leaves them out. The sub
committee restored some of the reduc-
tions the House made in public school
and health funds.