Evening star., 1942-05-24

s are harry .. Wender, executive
f Citizens Associations; James z.
rade Committee on Recreation: Mrs.
Ethel s. Garrett. wife of q stock
broker, and Mrs. Alice c. Hunter,
president Of the Federation Of Par
ent-Teacher Associations Of the
colored schools.
Some of these have already begun
to familiarlze themselves with the
recreation facilities and problems to
be ready to aid effectively the mo-
ment their Jurisdiction becomes
legal.
1913 Budget Pending.
Problems pending include requests
for allocations by the Federal Works
Agency from Lanham funds Of q
total of $1,000 to develop play and
recreation areas for immediate use
and the 1943 recreation budget now
before the Senate.
Hearings on the budget will prob
ably open about the time the board
takes over and will be supported by
the board before the Senators as a
separate item, not part of the pub
llc schools budget as it has hereto.
fore been handled.
Supplemental estimates of soma
$4,000 have been forwarded to the
Senate group with the request that
they be added to the s280, 900 ap-
proved by the House for next year,
Another early decision to be made
by the board is the appointment
OF the superintendent of recreation
who will be its executive officer.
AT the moment no salary has been
liked for the post.
Because of his familiarity with
the present situation in the Dis
trlct as regards recreation, it was
considered probable that the board
will ask Milo F. Christensen, acting
co-ordinator of recreation, to give
up his position in the National
Park Service, from which he has
been loaned to the District, to ac-
cept the permanent post.
Mr.. Christensen took over upon
resignation of Lewis R. Barrett who
was brought here in 1885 as CO.
ordlnator for the Presidents Com
mlttee on Recreation. The salary
was set at $500 a year for the
job which was purely advisory.
Several years later with the merger
of the department of Fairgrounds
and the Community Center Depart
ment, the job became administra-
tive rather than advisory in
character and has been so ever
since Mr.. Christensen assumed
it. 1t is understood both Mr.. Chris
tlansen and District officials feel
the new job as superintendent Of
recreation, with its increased re-
sponsibilities, is worth more re-
gardlesS of who is appointed
Heightening the belief that Mr..
Christensen will be selected are
reports that the recreation staff are
strongly behind him and that the
morale of the service has been in
creased during his administration.
Provision of the proper Civil
Service classification for the various
employees of the Recreation Board
will also be among its early con-
Germs. At present these positions
are not governed and the salaries
can be upped or decreased in any
appropriation bill. The act estab-
fishing the board, however. puts
all recreation employees under the
Classification Act of 1923 under
which regular employees Of the
Commissioners are classified.
Other matters due for considera-
ton, it is said, are full-time op-
Grafton of play facilities seven days
week; extension of programs for
servicemen and closer relationships
between private facilities and the
public program.
Three Official Members.
In addition to the citizen men,
bers, the three official members are
District Budget Officer Walter L.
Fowler, Supt. of Schools Frank w.
Ballou and Supt. of National Cap
ital Parks Irving c. Root. Mr..
Root became automatically member
of the board under terms OF tho
act which specifies that one of the
members shall be the superintendent
of National Capital Parks.
DR.. Ballou was named repre-.
sentative of the Board of Educa-
ton. He was named after Mrs.
Henry Grattan Doyle. president Of
the board, indicated she could not
accept the post. Board Member G.
Melvin Sharpe, who has been in
terested in recreation for years, was
also suggested for the job, but he
Withdrew after Mrs. Philip Sidney
Smith nominated DR.. Ballou and
the board was placed in the posi-
ton of deciding publicly between
one of its own members and DR..
Ballou.
Mr.. Fowler was designated by the
Commissioners as their representa-
tive. It had been predicted Com
missioner Guy Mason, because OF
his interest in recreation, would
represent the city heads. Mr..
Mason, however, felt he could not
serve because he, as one OF the
Commissioners, will have to pass
upon the recreation budget. as well
as those of other city boards and
departments. The budget officer.
though loaded down with numerous
other responsibilities, Is expected TO
be a valuable member OF the group.
however, because of his knowledge
Of financial procedures.
Gas Card Seekers Urged