Evening star., 1939-06-05
BY J. A. OLEARY.

BY j. A. OIEARY.
The Senate today unanimously ap-
proved the increase from $4,000. 900
to s7,750000 in the Federal share
OF the cost of upkeep and develop
ment of the National Capital as it
began consideration of the s49,522.-
985 District appropriation bill for
the year beginning July /. Chair
man King announced a meeting Of
the Senate District Committee for
2 o'clock Wednesday to consider a
variety OF other measures.
AT the same time, Senator King
indicated he will raise no objection
to the Appropriation Committee in
crease IN the Federal payment for
the coming year, which enabled the
committee to make provision for a
more adequate school building pro-
gram, and increased funds for re-
Ilef, child welfare, police and health
protection.
OvertOn Bill to Be Discussed.
The Wednesday meeting will give
the District Committee its first on.
portunlty to discuss the Overton
Dill, to re-estabGsh a definite ratio
OF Federal obligation toward the
upkeep and development of the Ma
tlonal Capital, since a special sub
committee headed by Senator Over
ton. Democrat, of Louisiana ap-
proved the measure two months ago.
Whereas the increased lump sum
IN the pending supply bill is tenn
porary for one year only, as all lump
| sums have been since the 6O-4O ra.
to was departed from in 1925, the
oVerton bill would restore a perma-
nent ratio, with the Federal share
based on the percentage of the land
acreage Of the District required for
national purposes.
Az present this acreage would be
approximately 20 per cent of the
city area, which. applied to the
general fund requirements. would
make the FEDERAL share 100000.
Believed Fair Solution.
senator Overton believes this
formula offers a fair solution of a
long pending problem. He has
pointed out that it would make
possible automatic adjustment of
the ratio, with mathematical ex-
actness and without the differences
OF opinion that would arise if val,1-
atlon was used instead of land area.
ASKED If he thought the Overton
Dill might be considered Wednesday
Senator King pointed out his COM
mlttee has rule of not considering
pending legislation until the Budget
Bureau has reported. Such a report
mas not come in on the Overton bill
1t was under the leadership of
Senator Overton that the District
appropriations Subcommittee recon-
mended an increase in the temporary
lump sum for the coming year. This
action is entirely independent of the
| OVerton bill, which must come
through the District Legislativ
Committee, since it would be per-
manent law.
Senator King said he hopes to
obtain action Wednesday on all
measures the committee is in favor
OF bringing out at this session, with
the exception of local taxation and
reorganization which are still under
consideration in the House.
Fight Develops.
A fight developed. however, over
the committees action in cutting
81 900 each from the salaries Of
Health Officer Rutland and his first
assistant, DR.. Seckinger.
Senator La Toilette CHALLENGED
| the committees action. In response
to his questions, Senator Overton,
in charge Of the bill, explained the
cuts were made on motion of Senator
Glass, Democrat, of Virginia. chair
man of the Appropriations Com
| mittee.
In the absence of Senator Glass,
who has been i'll, Senator McKellar.
Democrat. of Tennessee, ranking
member of the committee, urged the
Senate to stand by the chairmans
action, and announced that at the
request of Senator Glass he will Of
| fer a further amendment to reduce
the salaries of the chief resident
| physicians at Gallinger Hospital.
Senator Overton. discussing the
reduction in DR. Ruhlands salary to
$500, said that back of it is the
statement to the committee that the
predecessor of the present health
officer received that amount.
Senator La Toilette charged the
reduction was not an economy move
but a disciplinary measure against
the health officer as result of the
recent controversy over management
of Gallinger Hospital between the
(See D. C. BILL, Page A-14)