Evening star., 1941-12-05
Defense Work
For District Cut
ToS2,500,000
Many Projects Left
Out for Present to
Speed House Action

Special legislation to enable the
District to share in the sl50,000 900
Lanham Act appropriation for de-
tense public works was agreed on
at a Capitol Hill conference to-
day, but it was decided to reduce
the authorization from $4,000 900
to s2,50O00 in order to eliminate
controversial projects and speed
action by the House.
The Randolph bill, thus amend
ed. was ready for House action
either late today or Monday. when
District legislation is scheduled to
be considered.
The conference today was between
the House Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds. Chairman
Randolph of the House District
Committee. Chairman Hunter OF
the Subcommittee on Fiscal Re
lauons. Allen JohnstOne, general
counsel of the Federal Works Ad-
miniStration, the Commissioners
and other District officials. An
agreement was reached for the
Public Buildings and Grounds Com
mittee which passed the community
facilities bill to cooperate with the
District Committee in passage Of
the bill for the District.
Specific projects included in the
81, ,580.0 900 authorization are con-
sidered distinctly essential to de-
fense needs.
The Projects Asked.
Water projects totaling sl.l02, $50,
sewer projects totaling S846750. Fire
Department projects totaling s228,-
600 and a sewer treatment plant at
the District Training School near
Lauren costing s85,300. These prof.
ects were specifically approved for
Works Agency.
Mr.. Johnstone said that all these
come within the authorization as
defense projects. He explained that
the water projects, being revenue
producing. will be made with some
provision for partial return OF the
loan. The other projects will be
grants to the District from the Fed
eral Government.
1t was repeatedly emphasized by
Chairman Lanham of the Public
Buildings Committee and by other
speakers that the action today was
to insure prompt action in the
House without controversy because
these items are distinctly essential
defense needs from which the Dis
trict as a community will receive
no direct benefit. School buildings,
health projects and other items con-
templated under the s6.000,000
might have provoked
discussion and delay.
other Proposals Not Prejudiced.
Chairman Lanham and other
speakers repeatedly stated that this
action was taken without prejudice
to any other projects that have
arisen as a result of the defense
influx.
The Public Buildings Committee
invited the District Committee and
the District officials to come before
them soon again with the program
for other essential projects.
The F. w. A. had previously ear
marked $4,000 900 for these District
projects as soon as legislation is
passed permitting the District to
incur a grant or loan. The Dis
trict now has no authority to issue
bonds for a loan or grant, Rich
mond Keech, the corporation coun-
sci. told the committee.
Mr.. Randolph and Commissioner
Young thanked the Public Buildings
Committee and gave assurance they
would cooperate closely regarding
further projects.
School Fund Sought.
Walter Fowler, the District budget
officer, sought to include $213,95O
for an eight-room elementary school
at Nichols avenue and Atlantic
street Sc, needed to serve eXclu-
sively a new community of defense
workers. This project has received
the approval of the general counsel
for the F. w. A. Administration as
coming within the authorization of
the Sl50.000,000 Lanham Commu-
nifty Facilities Act. The conference,
however, agreed that prompt action
would be better assured by omitting
that item at this time
Representatives McGregor of Ohio,
Harris of Virginia. Downs of Con-
necticut and Elliott of California CO.
operated with Chairman Lanham in
giving the District Representatives
a sympathetic hearing.
Representative Harris insisted that
since these projects were so vital to
the defense program that the Dis
trict should not be subject to a loan
but should receive them under a
direct grant as in other communi-
ties, including his own district.
Representative Downs also said
that the Public Buildings Commit
tee Of which he is a member. in
order to be consistent with the ac-
ton taken today. must later approve
the other items on the Districts list
Of urgently needed public works.
After discussion of the District
projects the committee resumed con-
sideration of a bill authorizing an
increase from Sl50,000000 to $780,
100000 in the appropriation for pub
lie works projects. After hearing
Mr.. Johnstone review expenditure
of the first 81 100000, the committee
deferred action until Tuesday. Only
about $4,000, 900 Of the original $780,
100000 remains, and F. w. A. prom
ised to advance that to the District
as soon as Congress gives its ap-
proval.