Evening star., 1942-05-17
Wafer Rate Rise
Can BeAvoiided,
McCarran Says
Senator to Confer
With Officials on
Investigation

Chairman McCarran of the Sen
ate District Committee predicted
last night it will be found pos
sible to avoid increasing water rates
here. as he prepared to confer to-
morrow morning with Frederick H.
Weed Of the Federal Power Com
missions engineering staff, who will
conduct the Senate water investi-
cation.
Il think I can see ways by which
savings can be made to insure
against any increased charge for wa
ter" Senator McCarran said.
He said officials of the water sys-
tenn also would be invited to join
in the conference at 10 am. to-
morrow, at which he expects to out
line the scope of the inquiry.
Senator McCarran obtained Sem
ate authority for the inquiry when
the heavy demands placed on the
system by wartime expansion Of
Government activities began to give
rise to suggestions for rate in
creaseS.
All Federal Water Free.
The inquiry is expected to show,
among other things, the extent to
which improvements to the system
and other expenses are traceable
to Federal requirements. This is
an important phase of the problem
in view of the fact that the Federal
Government receives all of its wa
ter free, and that for long period
Of years the entire cost of upkeep
and development of the system has
been paid for directly by the pri-
vate users.
Although the Federal Government
makes an annual lump-sum pay
ment toward the general expenses
of the District, no part of this goes
toward water supply, since that de-
partment is financed separately, out
of collections from private water
users.
While it is not expected the in
quiry can be completed before the
pending District appropriation bill
becomes law for the fiscal year
beginning July /, Senator McCar-
ran has expressed the hope that
no steps will be taken to increase
water rates until the findings of
his committee are available.
Housing Action Expected.
Further developments also may
come in the Senate this week to-
ward meeting the wartime housing
needs of Washington. An appro-
priations subcommittee, headed by
Senator McKellar, Democrat, OF
Tennessee, is awaiting an oppor-
tunity to meet and decide whether
to restore the $40, 500 900 the House
cut from the $4,000, 900 budget es-
innate for housing the Govern
ment's emergency workers.
BY cutting the total to S29 500, 900,
the House provided only for dormi-
tory space for $4,000 single persons.
eliminating funds for 1000 family
units for workers with families.
A Senate subcommittee will re-
sumo hearings at 10 am. Tuesday
on bill providing for the abolition
of the coroner's Office. Coroner A.
Magruder Macdonald and repre-
sentatives of citizens associations
are expected to appear before the
Senate group at Tuesdays hearing.
Would Abolish Inquests.
In addition to eliminating the
coroner's Office, the measure before
the Senate subcommittee would
abolish inquests and coroner's
juries. A medical examiner and
two assistants would take over the
coroner's present duties.
The House District Committee is
scheduled to consider four meas
ures at meeting tomorrow morn
ing. These are bill to provide
$4,000 a year salaries for the three
members of the District Boxing
Commission, a bill to incorporate
the United Philippine War Vete-
rams in the District, bill by Repre-
sentative Byron of Maryland to re-
name Conduit road from the Dis
trict line to Great Falls, Md, Mac
Arthur boulevard, and bill author
izing the Commissioners to COM
promise inheritance and estate
taxes where conflicting claims arise
as to domicile.
In connection with the first meas
ure, the committee will consider
recommendations of the District
Commissioners that members of the
Boxing Commission should receive
not more than $40 each meeting,
with limit of $500 a year.