Evening star., 1940-01-05
D. {. Budget
Awaits Choice
OF Chairman
House Committee
Head Urges O'NeoI
To Accept Post

Chairman Edward Taylor Of the
House Appropriations Committee to-
day urged Representative Emmet
O'Neal, Democrat, Of Kentucky.
zone Of the brightest men in Con-
gress," to take the job Of chairman
Of the District Appropriations SUBJ
committee.
Action on the District budget for
1941, set by the Budget Bureau at
$49, ABS, ,008, awaits appointment Of
a subcommittee chairman to succeed
Representative Ross Collins, Demo-
crat, of Mississippi. who resigned
at the end of the first session of the
Seventy sixth Congress, last sum-
mer.
Mr.. O'Neal, an investment banker
from Louisville, who is serving his
third term in Congress, told Mr..
Taylor that he would reach a de-
cision next week. Mr.. Taylor re.
marked this morning that, whether
the District Subcommittee had q
chairman or not, hearings on the
District appropriation bill would
have to await action on the defense,
independent Offices and other sup
ply bills affecting the executive
Offices of the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, William Duval, clerk Of
the subcommittee, is making a pre-
liminary study of the District budget.
Praised for Ability.
Chairman Taylor said that Mr..
ONeal had one "of the brightest
minds in Congress" He is "con-
scientious and honest" He is not
in robust health, but Mr.. Taylor,
who said that the appointment Of
Mr. O'Neal would be blessing for
the District, for the Appropriations
Committee and for the House of
Representatives. is urging him
strongly to take the post Mr..
O'Neals acceptance of the offer
would solve the Districts problem"
Mr.. Taylor observed.
II Mr. O'Neal in the end declines
the proposal, Mr.. Taylor will seek
another man as chairman. At the
present, Representative O'Neal is
serving on the deficiency and the
Post Office Department subcommit-
tees of the Appropriations Commit
tee. He was an active member OF
the committee in its investigation
of the w. P. A. last spring.
Mingled Reactions Voiced.
Commissioner Melvin c. Hazen
expressed satisfaction with the
treatment of the budget by the
Budget Bureau, but mingled re-
actions were voiced today by vari.
GUS District departmental chiefs.
The budget is entirely satisfac.
tory to the Commissioners" Mr..
Hazen declared. Il think the
Budget Bureau is to be compli-
mented. It's a good budget and I
only hope Congress will approve it
20 is"
Engineer Commissioner David Nc.
Coach, jr., said:
THE budget, if approved by Con-
gress as submitted. will permit the
District government to operate eff.
ciently during the coming fiscal year
without increase in taxes. The
Armory and library are desirable
improvements. But our heavy COM
mittments for these projects and
repayment of P. w. A. loans have
necessitated the postponement OF
other desirable improvement prof.
ects.'
Browns Force Held Down.
Maj. Ernest w. Brown, super
intendent of police, pointed out
that he had asked for 100 new men
and some civilian personnel. The
Commissioners cut the number Of
new officers to IS and now, he
pointed out, the budget includes
provision for no more than he has
now.
Il asked for more" he declared.
"and they gave me only what I had
last year."
Also looking for more" was Fire
Chief Stephen Porter, who said no
didn't get the Is men he asked for.
Other than that" he said. they
didn't hurt us"
Expressing himself as satisfied
in every way" Director of High
ways H. C. Whtiehurst said the
new money for his department
would help improve streets and fin
ish the already started Sousa and
Massachusetts avenue bridges.