Evening star., 1941-06-22
Police Increase
May Be Settled
Tomorrow
PorIey on D. c. Fund
Bill May Decide Fote
OF w. P. A. Workers
Ry 7. A. OIEARY,

BY J. A. OLEARY.
The fate of 1000 District W. P. A.
workers facing loss of their jobs next
month, and proposed increase in
the police force to protect Washing
tons enlarged population, are major
questions that may be settled at a
conference at pm. tomorrow be-
tween the Commissioners and the
Senate Subcommittee on the District
Appropriation Bill
Chairman Overton called the
conference after closing hearings
late yesterday on the $50 SAT 900
measure which is virtually certain
to be increased to take care of some
of the needs presented by District
officials and citizens during the
last few days.
More than a score of spokesmen
for civic groups went before the sub
committee in the final hours to ask
for miscellaneous increases for
schools, health, recreation, and po-
lice services.
How far the subcommittee decides
to go in meeting the problem of
the so per cent w. P. A. cut just
ordered by national headquarters,
will have an important bearing on
the extent of other increases.
Restoration of S850.000 Asked.
The House cut $1,05l 500 from the
budget estimates by miscellaneous
reductions and figured that the
bill it passed would leave the city
with a general revenue surplus of
$828,O00 at the end of next year,
after allowing for unforeseen def
ciencies during the year.
In the course of the Senate hear
ingS the Commissioners have asked
for restoration of approximately
$3.50, 900 of the House cut. This fig
ure, however, does not include any
provision for the w. P A. problem
which has come to a head in recent
days.
1t appears. therefore, that the
Senate has before it the alternative
of increasing the bill by not more
than about sSO0.0OO and keeping
within the present $4,000 900 Federal
payment and tax structure, or going
beyond that increase and creating
the need for additional revenue.
Chairman Overton indicated he
wanted to ascertain the sentiment
of the other subcommittee members
before reaching any conclusion on
this basic question.
List of Projects Prepared.
The Commissioners over the week
end will prepare revised list of
supplemental projects not considered
in the House bill for possible in
clusion-- in the event the Senate
group should decide on a larger in
crease
Decisions probably will be made
quickly after tomorrow's meeting,
since the bill must go through the
Senate and have differences with
the House ironed out by July /.
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox. COM
manding the District National
Guard, went before the subcommit-
tee to ask for s154,698 to help estab-
lish the new observation air squad
ron here. He testified the S243 900
he now has from w. P. A. and the
War Department is not enough to
complete the necessary hangar on
the proposed air field at Beltsville.
and if the District does not provide
the balance the Guard is in danger
of losing Federal recognition for the
new observation unit. Included in
the item is s21, 700 for maintenance.
In answer to questions by Senator
OMahoney. Democrat. of Wyoming,
Gen. Cox said the Commissioners
did not indorse the item.
More Nurses Urged at Gallinger.
Mrs. Ruth Lester Buchanan and
Mrs. Walter S. Ufford told of "the
desperate need for more nurses and
orderlies" at Gallinger Hospital, and
to urge restoration of the provision
for tablishment Of the food stamp
plan here. Mrs. Uffold also told how
various municipal agencies utilizing
w. P. A workers would be affected
by the w. P. A. curtailment
The Senate is virtually certain
to restore the food stamp plan,
which went out on a point of order
in the House.
The hearings brought out the
fact that a number of District well
fare institutions and engineering
agencies would need more money
for personnel if they are deprived
of w. P. A. workers.
Senator Overton is giving some
thought to the possibility of giving
the Commissioners a general appro-
priation with authority to re-employ
at w. P. A. wages the workers who
are facing separation from the w.
P. A. rolls.
Crime Situation Discussed.
AS the hearings drew to close
Senators Overton, OMahoney and
Maloney, Democrat, of Connecticut
discussed Informally the crime situ-
alton, and whether the proposed in
crease Of 100 patrolmen is all that
is needed. The Senators indicated
an interest in finding out how many
men have to be withdrawn from
patrolling beats for special details.
j. B. Wyckoff of the Washington
Housing Association, Endorsed the
request pending before the sub
committee for appointment of a
special consultant for the landlord
tenant branch of Municipal Court
to assist in working out problems of
low-income renters.
Mrs. Warren A. Gardner of the
Neighborhood Councils urged more
funds for public health nurses.
Mrs. Odetta O'Hara, of the Asso-
citation for Education of Handi-
capped and Shut-in Children, told
of the need for more teachers for
this work. She said 80 teachers