Evening star., 1941-05-25
House Group
To Hear Police
And Fire Needs
Additional Funds
To Be Asked in
Defense Budget
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,

BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
Police Supt. E. w. Brown and
Chief Engineer Stephen T. Porter
of the Fire Department will discuss
emergency needs of s75,153 and
s55, 100 for the two departments with
House Appropriations Subcommittee
members tomorrow.
The supplemental items are IN
cluded in the S1,448.345 District de
fenSe" budget and the hearings are
a preliminary to drafting of the Dis
trict appropriation bill.
This defense" budget. an addi-
ton to the regular District budget,
is largely to meet extraordinary de-
mands on the various departments
resulting from the defense program.
Chairman Mahon of the subcom-
mittee does not expect to complete
the police and fire hearing tomor-
row, as he must meet with another
subcommittee on War Department
appropriations in the afternoon.
A. r. Pilkerton, auditor for the
police and firemens relief fund,
and Otto E. Fearn, superintendent
of machinery for the Fire Depart.
ment, also have been called as wit
nesses.
30 More Men Sought.
The largest police item is S5O.333
to add 80 privates and provide addi-
tional compensation for 19 men who
would be made motorcycle officers.
The regular budget figure asked was
s2,996. 500 for salaries. which included
20 additional men. Hence. this plan
would increase the force by so pri-
Yates
An additional estimate of Sl3.965
Is for purchasing and maintaining
19 motorcycles with sidecars.
The Commissioners also ask So
600 TO equip the 30 additional police
men and to install two-way radios
in patrol cars.
Of the Fire Department request,
s369 is for salaries for officers
and men of a new truck company
at No. 19 engine house, Twenty
eighth place and Pennsylvania av-
enue Sc. This is in addition to
the s2167 900 salary figure in the
regular budget.
Also asked is s175O0 for a new
aerial truck for No 19 engine house
To equip personnel of the new
truck company, $3.50 is asked.
New Fire Engine House.
Plans for new 100000 fire
engine house in the vicinity of North
Capitol and Crittenden streets on
a site owned by the District are
disclosed in proposal for transfer
Of $1,000 in the municipal architects
office for preparation Of plans and
specifications
Assurance that the subcommittee
is thoroughly in sympathy with the
Districts emergency needs. particu-
larly regarding schools, was given
by Chairman Mahon and Repre-
sentative Stephan of Nebraska,
ranking Republican member, fol-
lowing the hearing yesterday. Both
said they were impressed by the
plea of Dr. Frank w. Ballou, super
intendent of schools. for increased
facilities. and realize there is an
urgent need for new school con-
struction. especially in Anacostia.
They asked DR.. Balou TO submit a
priority list for school construction.
While pointing out that the entire
emergency school budget is impor-
tant, DR.. Ballou will submit a pre-
ferred list as requested.
"Unquestionably expansion in GER
tain areas is justified" Chairman
Mahon said last night. we realize
the extraordinary demands that are
being made upon the District not
only for schools, but for police and
fire protection. health safeguards
and all along the line. We intend
to do the best we can for the Dis
trict in this emergency. We look
with favor on most of the school
construction items"
Health Department Needs.
Next in importance to the schools,
police and fire items in the emer-
gency budget. and next to be heard
by the subcommittee, probably Tues
day, are the emergency requirements
of the Health Department. DR..
George c. Rutland, the health Off
Ger, has been invited to appear as
witness. He will be accompanied
by DR.. Daniel L. SeckingeT his as
sistant; DR.. Edgar A. Bocock, super
intendent of Gallinger Hospital, and
DR.. Daniel L. Finucane, superintend-
ent of the tuberculosis sanitarium.
The supplemental budget for the
Health Department is S257 ITO. The
largest item is Sl59,680, in addition
to the regular budgets $7l8.300 for
salaries at Gallinger. This fund
would increase the hospital staff to-
meet the large increase in patient
load. Also asked is a s50,000 in
crease in the budget figures of $685.
900 for expenses of that hospital,
due to the increased patient load.
Health Center Planned.
An additional S23,990 is for ad-
ditional staff and other expenses for
the Bureau of Medical Inspection Of
Schools, the Bureau of tuberculosis
Control and the Bureau of Venereal
Disease Control. To permit in
creaSeS IN personal and other Serv-
ices of the Bureau Of Administration,
Bureau of Vital Statistics and Hospi-
tai Permit Bureau. the Commits.
sioners have urged $500 besides the
S80,140 in the budget for general
administrative expenses of the
Health Department.
Plans for erection of a $4,000
health center in the Northwest cen.
trail area is disclosed in a recon-
mendation of $4,000 for purchase Of
a site and preparation of plans.
Other supplemental appropria-
tions requested for the Health De-
partment are $4,000 for additional
laboratory personnel and other ex-
penses, S4,700 for two new inspectors
and transportation and $4,000 to
meet an increased patient load at
the health center.