Evening star., 1941-04-27
0verton Bill
Delay Of Two
Weeks Studied
Decision Pondered
On Asking House to
Act Tomorrow


ing a formula for measuring the
amount of the annual Federal pay
ment toward municipal expenses
here may take place tomorrow or
may be delayed two weeks.
Chairman Randolph of the Dis
trict Committee was undecided last
night whether to ask the House to
act on the measure tomorrow, which
is District day, or wait until the
first District day next month, which
falls on May u.
A move has been made by Repre-
sentative Hunter, Democrat, of Ohio,
who sponsored the bill in the
House, to seek special rule so it
would be given a preferred status
on the calendar and allow its con-
sideration on a day other than Dis
trict day. Representative Randolph,
however, indicated he believed the
'better strategy would be to have
1t considered on regular District
day. -..
"I am perfectly willing to delay
House action on the bill for two
weeks If Mr.. Hunter or other men,
bers of the committee want to try
and have it called up under a spe-
ciaI rule" he declared. But have
been assured by Majority Leader
Mccormack that District legislation
on the calendar will have as much
time as needed tomorrow. A decl-
sion will be reached between now
and then as to what to do"
Wants Presidents Views
Representative Hunter, it is under
stood, would prefer two weeks de-
lay, in event a special rule is not
sought for consideration of the bill,
to give President Roosevelt an op-
portunity to explain his views on
the measure to House leaders. The
President indicated about three
weeks ago he would approve the
Overton formula if amended to re-
quire that expenditures out Of regu-
lar District appropriations for capi-
tai improvements, including high
ways and water extensions, at least
equal the amount of the Federal
payment. The suggested amend
ment was added to the bill by the
House District Committee Thursday
before it favorably reported the
measure.
The Overton formula would fix
the Federal share of municipal eX-
penseS on the basis of the ratio of
Federally owned acreage here to the
total land area, with certain deduc-
tions. It's adoption, it is estimated,
would raise the present Federal pay
ment from S6.000,000 to approx
mately SO 100000 in the coming fiscal
year beginning July /, and aid the
District in solving the acute finan-
cial problem growing out of its un-
precedented expansion resulting
from the influx of thousands of ma
tional defense workers. Representa-
tive Hunter has estimated the Dis
trict will need an additional $10,-
100000 a year to provide new schools,
water, police, fire and other mu-
nicipal services in the newly de-
veloped areas occupied by defense
workers the Federal Government
has called to Washington.
The latest convert" to the Over
ton plan in the House is Repre-
sentative Shafer, Republican, of
Michigan. a member of the District
Committee, who announced last
night he would take the floor" to
urge its approval.
Collects Data on Formula.
st am convinced if members OF
the House are given the facts" he
declared" they will support the
formula regardless of party affilia-
tions. l am collecting data with re-
gard to the formula and hope to
make a complete factual statement
to the House.
'I hope consideration of it on the
floor will be postponed so members
NAV inform themselves as to its
fairness and equity in solving the
fiscal relations problems between the
Federal and District governments"
Meanwhile, Representative D'Ales-
andre, Democrat, of Maryland, an
other member of the District Com
mittee. inserted in the Congressional
Record under extension OF re-
marks" a statement indorsing the
Overton formula, pointing out its
adoption would make possible need
ed improvements in the welfare in
stitutions in which he is particularly
interested. AS chairman OF the
Public Health, Hospitals and Chari-
ties Subcommittee of the District
Committee, he directed last year an
Investigation of the conditions at
these institutions, chiefly those at
the Home for the Aged and 1nflrm
at Blue Plains.
Comment on Report.
The Record includes the subcom-
mittees report on the result OF that
investigation, together with the fol-
lowing comment:
"Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the
Special Subcommittee on Public
Health. Hospitals and Charities of
the District of Columbia to investi-
gate the public welfare institutions
I am happy today because the Dis
trlCt OF COluIllDld OOiillllClcc duOPU-
ed a favorable report which will
take care of not only all OF the
welfare institutions that are badly
in need of Improvements, but also
the central library, sewer system,
Gallinger Hospital, Georgetown
Hospital, health centers, public well
fare center, which would be COM
bination of the various institutions,
such as Blue Plains, and so forth,
Improvement in the tuberculosis
sanatorium, incinerator, new west
wing of the Municipal Center, con-
solidation of the old eight-room
schools some of which are now over
10 years old, Wilson Teachers Col
lege, Abbott Vocational School and
the water supply.
IT understand the Federal con-
tribution would be approximately
$1,000, 900, or about 81 per cent of
the general fund, but the amend
ment suggested by President Roose-
welt provides that out of the total
amount appropriated by the regular
annual District of Columbia appro-
priation bill for each fiscal year,