Evening star., 1939-07-15
Go Signal
Given Armory
And Library
Senate Sacrifices
All but $229, 900
School Construction

Funds to begin construction OF
Washington's long-awaited National
Guard Armory, at the end of East
Capitol street, and to start the first
unit of new Free Public Library
in the Municipal Center area, are
projects in the finally
completed 1910 local supply bill.
These and other municipal i'm
provements, including some school
construction, had been agreed to in
q partial conference report two
weeks ago, but could not become law
until the entire bill was agreed to
yesterday.
When the appropriation con-
ferees held their last meeting yes
terday the only money items still in
dispute, besides the Federal pay
ment, were relief and school build
ing increases advocated by the
Senate.
100000 for Relief.
After gaining the $4,000, 900 COM
promise on the Federal payment
the Senate yielded on its s60O,OOO
increase in the local relief fund,
leaving it at the House total of
100000. Out of school construc-
ton items amounting to 1904, $50
the Senate also agreed to drop all
but 1929 900 for the new Ketcham
School.
Senator Overton of Louisiana ex-
planned that the relief increase was
eliminated on recommendation of
the District Commissioners, con-
CURED in by Otto j. Cass, new
director Of public assistance. These
officials suggested that the relief
total be left at 100000 for the
time being. pointing out that if an
increase appears advisable later ir
the year, the request could be con-
sidered in January.
The limit of cost on the National
Guard Armory is placed at S2,700.-
600, of which this years bill makes
s5O0,00o available to prepare plans
and start the work. The Govern
ment already owns a large tract
Of land at the East Capitol street
site, which was recommended BY
the National Capital Park ane
Planning Commission as part OF
its general program for the future
development of the Anacostia Park
area. Originally the House pro.
posed a new location in the South
west section, but yielded to the
Senate.
For the first unit of the new
Public Library the bill makes avail
able $3.50 900 to complete plans and
start work, with the limit of cost
fixed at s1,118.0OO. The site is
the square bounded by Pennsylvania
avenue, C street, John Marshall
place and Sixth street NV. There
was a prior appropriation of 100000
to draw plans for the library. to
which $4,000 will be added from
the new appropriation.
Adds Is Policemen.
The bill makes provision for 25
additional policemen and contains
a modification of the original House
ban against filling vacancies in the
Fire Department this year. Under
the compromise, only the first IL
vacancies occurring cannot be filled.
Under the welfare heading, GAL
linger Hospital and the Tubercu-
losis Sanatoria are given larger
nursing forces to shorten the hours
Of duty.
In addition to the usual list of
street-paving projects, the Highway
Department is given funds to start
s550,000 new bridge to carry Mas
sachusetts avenue across Rock
Creek and the Commissioners are
authorized to prepare a survey TO,
a future bypass or parkway tc
connect with the main routes, north
and south, of adjoining States.
The bill authorized the Commits
sioners to acquire approximately 10C
acres in Prince Georges County, Md.
as a site for new National Train.
ing School for Girls, but makes nc
provision for preparation of plans
this year.
The Water Department is given
additional funds to make possible
quarterly instead of annual reading
of water meters and the preparation
of bills on a semi-annual basis.