Evening star., 1944-05-04
Budget Hearing
Hits District
TrafficLights
Van Duzer Questioned
Closely on Need
For $4,000
BY DON S. WARREN.

ber of traffic lights received un.
favorable comment from member.
of the House District Appropriations
Subcommittee as hearings on the
1945 District budget neared an end
Representative Coffee, Democrat
OF Washington, the subcommittee
chairman, said Traffic Director Will
liam A. Van Duzer was questioned
closely on the need for an addi-
tional appropriation of approx.
mately $4,000 for installation o1
more traffic-control signals. The
subcommittee noted favorably, how
ever, reports that the Districts
traffic fatality record was relatively
low, Mr.. Coffee added.
While granting that traffic lights
at some places are essential, Mr.
Coffee said he and other members
suggested there seemed to be no rea-
son why many more lights should
not be turned off after II pm.
Urges ArteriaI Highways.
District traffic and highway OIL
cials also were urged by the subcom-
mittee, Mr.. Coffee said, to speed
plans for provision for designation
OF more arterial highways.
Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, director
OF highways, told the subcommittee
that his division is preparing an
elaborate program for traffic arter-
les which will be ready soon. 1t was
indicated requests for funds will be
made as soon as the materials sit
uation permits.
The new South Capitol Street
Bridge project also was discussed
with District officials voicing hope
priorities could be obtained for
completion of the substructure.
Statements in justification for
fund requests were received for the
central garage, the electrical divi-
sion and the street and bridge d.
vision of the project for replacing
the Fourteenth Street Bridge in
cluding formal statement relating
to the type of span or spans to be
erected.
VIII COnSluer sewers.
Mr.. Coffee said the group was told
the old Fourteenth Street Bridge is
in bad, but not dangerous, condi-
ton. Later today, the subcommit-
tee was to consider budget requests
for the sewer, water, refuse and trees
and parkings division, the National
Capital Parks Office and the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Three controversial matters were
involved in testimony yesterday be-
fore the Coffee subcommittee: Fire
safety regulations and enforcement:
complaints against operation of Dis
trict penal institutions, and the ad-
ministrative setup for District well
fare institutions.
A conviction the District has lack
ed proper enforcement procedure for
It's fire safety rules was voiced
later yesterday by Mr.. Coffee after
the subcommittee had inquired
closely into the causes Of the fatali-
ty OF the fire in the rooming house
at 81 Randolph street NV.
Earlier yesterday the subcom-
mittee had questioned Welfare
Director FAY l.. Huff on complaints
recently made about his admins
tration Of the Lorton Reformatory
by Controller General Lindsay c.
Warren and he is to be recalled
later for further testimony.
Welfare Setup Aired.
During yesterdays session, also
the subcommittee considered the
relationship between the Board of
Public Welfare and the District
Commissioners, question already
subject to hearings before the
DAlesandro subcommittee of the
House District Committee.
Mr.. Coffee said there was reason
to doubt whether a volunteer, non.
paid welfare board was the best
arrangement and that the sub.
committee was not satisfied welfare
board members had demonstrated
sufficient interest" in their work
and responsibilities. He made an
exception of A. j. Driscoll, whom he
commended for his frequent per-
sonal inspections of agencies and
institutions under the control OF
the welfare board.
Some Engineer Department re-
quests were considered yesterday
and Mr.. Coffee irdicated the SUBJ
committee regarded favorably the
plans of the city heads to replace
the old elevators" in the District
Building.
The only hitch indicated was
whether the District could obtain
necessary priorities for new ma.
chinery.