Evening star., 1939-02-16
Trend 10 Econolmy
Is Reflected in
Legislative Bill
House Committee Cuts
$1,000, 900 From
Appropriation

Continuing it's economy drive, the
House Appropriations Committee to-
day recommended an appropriation
of only $21,5es, 1923 to run the legis-
lative establishment for the next
fiscal year. This is $2,689. .623 less
than the budget estimates and more
than s612,000 below current appro-
priations
The subcommittee ON charge of
the legislative budget had "re-
luctantly included" an item of
$685., 900 to reconstruct the roofs of
the Senate and House wings of the
Capitol, but the item was disal-
lowed by the full Appropriations
Committee at an executive session
today.
Chairman Rebaut of the subcom-
mittee informed the House, how
ever, that the roof item would be
provided in deficiency bill at this
session. He said further engineer
ing studies are to be made, mean
while.
A consulting engineer employed
to inspect the 85-year-old roofs had
assured the committee there was
no immediate danger, but warned
that in the event Of a heavy snow
fall like that which caused the
Knickerbocker Theater disaster, II
would advise Congress to take a
recess"
Stationery Allowance Up.
The only other change in the bill
as drafted by the subcommittee was
an increase in the stationery allow
ance for each House member from
$125 to 5000.
The committee reduced by $685.
600 the appropriations for the Gov
ernment Printing Office for printing
the Congressional Record and for
other congressional work. This ac-
ton was based on statement last
year by the public printer that such
a saving could be effected by print
ing the Record in three columns
instead of two.
The measure provides So, ,353, ,454-
more than SGT 900 below current ap-
propriations-for the Senate, and
$8,3l5,798 for the House, a de-
crease of $290, 800 under current ap-
preparations. The architect of the
Capitol would be provided 81, ,491 ,906,
an increase of $698 067 over current
appropriations, but a decrease of
$1,101,8l under budget estimates.
Tho NNyoyoitfon he
down on request for 100000 for
installation of a moving sidewalk"
in the subway linking the Capitol
and the two House Office buildings,
explaining it was mot impressed
with the feasibility of the system
of conveyance proposed and consid-
ers the cost excessive
Repair Requests Rejected.
The measure also carried $3O94,-
ATS for the Library of Congress: So
685, 900 for the Government Print
ing Office, and $106,455 for the
Botanic Gardens
Most of the savings resulted from
rejection of requests by the Capitol
architect for funds to repair the
terraces, sidewalks and make other
improvements on the Capitol
grounds. An estimate of $345 $50
for repairs to the terraces had been
made to the committee.
The measure would create five
new positions for the House-a
chief messenger at a salary of
S2,240, two additional stenographers
for committees. an additional House
page and clerk in the Office of
the House clerk.
The committee allowed an in
crease over current appropriations
OF s42,950 for the Capitol Building,
the largest item of which is $31 900
for the quadrennial painting of the
dome and central portion of the
building. Increases totaling $1,000
for the Capitol grounds included
Sl,450 for new bandstand. Three
new positions were allowed for the
House Omce Building.
Other high lights of the commit
tees recommendations:
Provision Of 10 employees to operate
tbs 'air-conditioning equipment: an
expenditure of $4,000 for the Botanic
Gardens to purchase collection of
rare acacia plants; 100000 to staff
the new Library of Congress annex.
At hearings on the appropriation
bill, 1t was revealed that DR.. Herbert
Putnam, who will complete 40 years
tenure as librarian of Congress on
April S. stated he expected to
relinquish his duties as active
librarian before another budget is
submitted to Congress. Under a
recent act Of Congress, he will be-
come librarian emeritus.