Evening star., 1942-09-16
Alexandria
Stands PAT on
Plumber Tests
Workers Accused of
Refusing in Order
To Get Better Poy


last night to uphold fts
plumbing code and to require
plumbers employed on the Metro
politan Life Insurance Co.'S Park
fairfax development to take the ex-
animation specified by the code. II
City Manager Carl Budwesky re-
ported to council that the men, en1-
ployed by j. L. Murphy, plumbing
contractor on the project, had re-
fused to take the examination on
the grounds that their membership
in the union was sufficient guarar1-
tee of their efficiency. N
Mr.. Budwesky charged that the
men were refusing to take the ex-
animation in order to be disquali-
fled from working in Alexandria 50
that they could leave the Parkfair-
fax job on which they are not paid
overtime and go to the DEFENSE
Homes Corp. project in Arlington,
where they would receive higher
wages because of o>ertime. il
No Tests In Arlington
Arlington County does not re-
dll cAdilllldblOIi, dtlA aAoHaoAAT
fication is the only way in which
they could change from one job to
the other under union regulations.
Mr.. Budwesky said. The pay was
reported to be $40 a week in Alex
andria and $104 in Arlington.
Council instructed Mr.. Budwesky
to convey its decision to represent
atives of the plumbing contractor at
once
Robert G. Whitton, superintend-
ent of the Alexandria Hospital. in
formed the Council that the formal
offer of $4,000 for construction OF
an addition had been received by
the hospital from the Federal Works
Agency.
Mr.. Whitton asked that the mat
ter Of closing the alley between
Duke and Columbus streets, to which
there has been objection by resi-
dents, be held over for future
meeting.
Owner Files Protest.
Mrs. Ann Washington Blanken-
horn. owner of 805 Duke street. filed
written protest to the closing OF
the alley.
Mr.. Budwesky discussed the ques-
ton Of a recreation project for the
city and stated that before the city
made formal application for Fed
eral funds a survey should be made
by some one with full knowledge of
recreation problems He added that
the War and Navy Departments had
Indicated that they would back the
city In q request for recreation
funds.
The council empowered Mr.. Bud
wesky to spend up to 1000 for such
a survey.
The council received a request
from the School Board at a joint
meeting to make up the balance of
the SIC, 900 promised by the Federal
Government and counted on in the
current school budget. Leroy S.
Bendheim, chairman of the School
Board, reported the Federal Works
Agency paid only $23,173 of the
promised ALLEGATION leaving deficit
OF $6,827 in the school budget OF
$332, 900.
Mr.. Bendheim said it was only aft
er considerable negotiation that the
S23, ,173 was received, as the Federal
Works Agency believed the city was
receiving enough money in addi-
.tional taxes to educate the children
OF defense workers. He added that
the board hao written to representa-
tlves In Congress asking for their
help in obtaining the funds.
Council Defers Action.
Mr.. Budwesky pointed out that
the city does not receive enough rev.
enue from the Government
defense housing projects to supply
their residents with necessary facili-
ties apart from schools, and Mayor
wilkins added that the city was los-
ing large sums in taxes from prop
erty condemned by the Government.
The council deferred action pend-
ing further application to the Fed.
eral Works Agency for the remain.
der Of the ALLEGATION.
The school board brought up thu
! HAaIIeT Oh Scnool Tor the Park
fairfax apartment development,
stating that the Metropolitan Life
insurance Co. had provided land
for the school and had promised the
city $50,000 to erect it. The council
favored permanent rather than
a temporary school and asked the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. to
apply to the War Production Board
for priorities for such a construc-
ton.
Mr.. Budwesky reported to the
school board and council that he
had made no progress in his attempt
to secure land for playground facil-
ities at the Parker-Grey and the
Maury Schools.