Evening star., 1944-06-17
0'kahoney Indicates
Generous Treatment
On District Funds
Hearings Are Concluded
On Record Measure to
AIIot City $6o, ,00o, 900
BY DON S. WARREN

Hearings on the Districts 1945
budget were concluded yesterday by
the OMahoney subcommittee of the
Senate District Committee, with in
dications that generous treatment
would be given to requests for in
creased funds for many services.
The record-breaking measure
which would total more than $685.
100000 If all requests of the Com
missioners were approved, is ex-
pected to be put before the Senate
for action early next week.
While the Senate group has dis
played a generous attitude, Senator
O'Mahoney, Democrat, of Wyoming,
subcommittee chairman, yesterday
indicated some fund pleas were
lost causes. Notable among these
was that for 100000 or more for
acquisition of the Villa Rosa
mansion for continuation aS the
Children's Museum.
Unauthorized" Project.
While testimony was being given
yesterday by Miss Matilda Young
museum director, Senator OMa-
honey broke in several times to
assert his committee had no au-
thority to act since Congress had
not authorized such project
Louis Gutenberg, counsel for MIR.
and Mrs. Samuel Fig, purchasers
of the Villa Rosa, asserted the own
ers had no desire to sell the prop
erty.
Yesterdays hearing was marked
by Senator O'Mahoney's assertion
that an increased salary for the
superintendent of Gallinger hos
pital should be fixed by statutory
provision. He suggested the pres
ent base pay of $500 should be
raised to somewhere between $500
and $4,000 per annum.
The post has been vacant since
early this. year, when DR.. Edgar A.
Bocock resigned after custer de-
mands were made by . Senate in
vestigating committee headed by
Senator Holman, Republican; of
Oregon.
Rutland Explains Pay Factor.
Health Ofiicer George G. Ruhland
Yesterday told the committee the
District had found it impossible to
find a qualified new superintendent
at pay beginning at $500. Mean
while, the post has been held by
Deputy Health Officer Daniel l..
Seckinger.
Harry S. Wender, president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
praised Senator Overton, Democrat,
OF Louisiana, for his renewed fight
for a higher Federal payment to-
ward National Capital expenses.
Mrs. Walter S. Ufford and other
civic leaders urged appropriations
for the housekeeping aids service
and funds for establishment of a
separate psychiatric service under
the Juvenile Court. while supporting
plans for a mental hygiene unit in
the District Health Department.
washington I. Cleveland, manager
OF the District of Columbia branch
Of the American Automobile ASsoci-
a&ion, urged that at least $4,000 be-
provided for the, @traflic light fund
for changes and, improvements OIL
existing lighting signals.
Mrs. j. E. Clark asked funds for
purchase of a site for a library,
playground and community center
house IN the Brightwood area and
Mrs. Florence E, Welch urged in
creased funds for teachers for
handicapped shut-in children, as. did
Mrs. jamie Darden.
Mrs. C. w. Wright and Mrs.
Luther Gulick urged increased
funds for District welfare services.
Walter F. Wasson, first vice presi-
dent of the Citizens Association,
asked that action be taken to pre-
vent granting of free educational
service Of the District to pupils of
nonresident parents.