Evening star., 1942-02-06

Reflects Impact
0fWar on DC.
Additional $685. ,so3
Requested for Rest
Of Fiscal Yeor
By DON. S. WARREN.

BY DON. S. WARREN.
The effect of the war effort on
District government operations was
reflected sharply today in the first
deficiency bill reported to the House.
1t provides for expenditure of $685.
803 additional for the remainder OF
the current fiscal year.
Among high lights are:
Plans drafted by the Commission
ers for abandonment Of the much
criticized Home for Aged and Inflrm
at Blue Plains and for erection OF
a modern Sl,500,000 building at
Glenn Dale, Md, were laid on the
shelf, because of priorities restric-
tions and similar problems, but the
Appropriations Committee recon-
mended an outlay of 100000 to i'm
prove facilities at Blue Plains.
An estimate of $4,000 to supple
ment previous appropriations for
construction and equipment OF a
new Receiving Home for Children
was disallowed, the committee
stating in its opinion 1t will not be
nossible to obtain priorities for the
equipment and supplies. Therefore,
rental for continuance in the present
makeshift quarters was PROVIDED.
Funds for Police.
Funds were included for the carry
employment of 95 additional mem
bers of the Metropolitan Ponce
Force, these to be in addition TO the
extra 100 approved by Congress at
the last session because OF wartime
conditions here.
Also. the committee recommends
funds for pay Of 81 extra guaroS,
engaged to protect the water supply
system: for construction OF an ele-
waited water tank in Southeast
washington, in the vicinity OF Ala
bama and Massachusetts, avenues
Sc, and minor sums for some otner
municipal services.
One of the major items related
to the war program is the recon-
mended outlay now of $4,000 Tor
completion of construction OF the
new s2 700 900 National Guard Arm
ory. which has been speeded az
request of Federal officials to pro-
vide space for war workers.
Price Limitations Raised.
At the urgent request OF the Com
missioners the committee increased
from $3.50 to $3.50 the limit on the
nrice which may be paid by the
district for purchase of passenger
vehicles, and raised from Sl,7Oo ID
81 800 the price limit on field wagons
to be bought for the surveyors once;
District purchasing officers 1ouno
they were getting no bids for We
hicles under the lower-price nml-
tations.
The District fund included in the
first deficiency bill was 1898, ,803,
which is sl6O,633 lower than estl-
mates recommended by the Budget
bureau and the Commissioners.
However, the first deficiency, Dill
does not include any OF the large
increases recently recommended py
Health Officer George c. Ruhlano.
These are being studied at the
District Building and soon Will oe
sent to the Budget Bureau ana
Congress for consideration in a sec
ond deficiency bill. DR.. Rutland re-
quests s412,OO0 for expansion OF
health services in the last four
months of the fiscal year ana an
increase of s712.000 for the new
fiscal year beginning July l.
sss,0s5 Item Dropped.
About half the items the Appro-
nriations Committee eliminated In
the first deficiency bill were dropped
at the Commissioners suggestion.
These items totaled s8S,00o ana
concerned the electrical department
purchasing division, District once
of Civilian Defense and scnool
building equipment.
For the Home for Aged the Com
missioners requested Sl27,4oo anu
the Appropriations Committee rec
commended $106,000.
The amount recommended. tne
committee said, includes 35 aool-
tional employees on a four-montn
basis and makes provision for addl-
tional food for the same period.
The additional employees include
three nurses. I6 hospital attendants,
three supervisors of dormitory and
dining room attendants, two night
watchmen, one mechanic and lo
ward and dining room attend
| ants.
THE total staff at Blue Plains
with this additional force will be lO6,
including all classes of employees, or
on average of one for every six IN
mates.
No Elaborate Changes.
"The amount allowed for repairs
and improvements (s48,000) con-
templates no elaborate changes.
More sanitary and additional
plumbing. some new kitchen equip
ment. painting, repairs to floors'
repairs to plastering, fire alarm sys-
tenn and so forth in the minimum
amount to place the buildings In q
more habitable condition, are rec
commended"
other District government items
included in the bill were:
For the recorder of deeds Tor pay
ment of rent for its present quarters,
awaiting completion of the agencys
new home, $3.50; for the Depart
ment of Weights, Measures ana
Markets, for contingencies. $3.50:
for the District Minimum Wage ana
Industrial Safety Board. $500; for
the District employees compensa-
ton fund, $1,000; for printing and
binding for District agencies. $500;
for the Metropolitan Police Depart
ment, $3.50 for miscellaneous ex-
penses and $7,125 for uniforms,
these items being in addition to
| $50, 800 for the additional 95 police
men; for the public school system,
an increase in the cost limitation
from $4,000 to $500 for a new roof
for the auditorium of the Francis
Junior High Schcool, and $4,000
more for purchases Of school build
ing and playground sits already au-
thorized: for the Fire Department.
$7,700 to pay for fuel; for the Board
of Public Welfare, $2,750 for main
tenance of the present Receiving