Evening star., 1942-04-09
Defense Needs
Delay Action on
Fairfax Budget
Committees Meet -
On Wednesday to
Report on Costs
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
FAIRFAX, Va, April 9.-Follow-
ing an all-day public hearing on the
1923 budget, the Fairfax County
Board Of Supervisors yesterday post
poned final action pending q report
from civilian defense officials on
needs for their program.
Chairman G. Wallace Carper said
members of the board felt it would
be impracticable to adopt a budget
until it gets civilian defense recon-
mendations. Chairman of the va
rious defense subcommittee are
scheduled to meet Wednesday eve
ming to report their suggestions.
Originally, $4,000 was mentioned
as necessary for the civilian defense
program.
Four Items Discussed.
The hearing yesterday drew dis
cuSSion on only four budget items
the county public library system,
capitalization for indigents, civilian
defense needs and school needs.
Capt. John F. Bethune, chairman
Of the county public library trustees,
declared it may be necessary to sus-
pend the public library service alto
gether unless the supervisors are
able to increase the tentative item Of
s2,500.
Capt. Bethune pointed out that
matching funds from the. Federal
Government for library work may
be cut of entirely, and in that event
the budget proposal would be in
sufficient to continue the program.
Capt. Bethune urged an increase to
Sc 900.
Because Of the difficulty of secur-
ing eligible personnel Capt. Bethune
said it had been necessary for Miss
Dorothea c. Asher, librarian, to
operate the "bookmobile" most Of
last year with the assistance of sew
eral girls employed in the library.
Others who urged retention of the
library project were w. A. Moon Of
the State Library Department, Mrs.
F. w. Robinson of Herndon and w.
Lindsay Carne of Fairfax, both
members Of the county library
trustees, and various representa-
tives Of community Libraries.
Defense Study Urged.
In speaking on the budget item
for civilian defense, former Delegate
John c. Mackall Of Mclean urged
careful study of needs before
adopting figure.
George B. Robey andbL, S, Travis
expressed similar views, with all
speakers declaring they did not want
their remarks to be-eonstrued asnn.
patriotic. -, Als
While no general opposition was
voiced to the tentative school
budget. several speakers declared
more funds are needed for proper
administration of the school system,
and recommendation was made that
greater levy should be laid for
schools in Falls Church, Mount YER
non and Providence districts, where
there is greatest demand for school
facilities.
Supervisor Andrew w. Clarke de-
clared under the present setup
farmers actually bear the greatest
burden for schools. while the per-
sons living in the more thickly set
tied sections derive the greatest
benefit. Mr.. Travis asserted small
property owners do not pay their
way now.
Increase for Teachers.
Division Supt. w. T. Woodson an
nounced that an increase in funds
from the State. augmented by a
slight boost in county funds, will
make possible a salary increase of
approximately 5000 per teacher next
session.
w. Alvord Sherman. member Of
the School Board, declared that in
preparing the school budget it had
been necessary to omit a number
of items considered absolutely
needed, but for which sufficient rev.
enue could not be foreseen next
year.
w. w. Bradford of Mclean and
DR.. Robert A Osborne of Chester
brook urged a stepup in teachers
salaries to meet increasing living
costs and to prevent many good
teachers from leaving.