Evening star., 1944-06-17
0'Mahoney Indicates
Generous Treatment
On District Funds
Hearings Are Concluded
On Record Measure to
AIIot City $4,000, 900
: BY DON s. WARREN.

Hearings on the Districts 194s
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
OMahoney, 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 O'Ma-
honey broke in several times te
assert his committee had no au.
thority to- act since Congress hao
not authorized such project
Louis Gutenberg, counsel for Mr.
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 we're made by Senate in
vestigating committee headed by
Senator Holman. Republican, of
Oregon. Later. DIR. Bocock was ap-
pointed superintendent of Doctors
Hospital, one Of Washington's new
est.
Rutland Explains Pay Factor.
Health Officer George C. Ruhland
yesterday told the committee the
District had found it impossible to
find 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.
He said an accountants ability is
not needed to see that with the fixed
lump -sum payment of S6,000,000 by
the United States. the Federal Gov
ernment is getting more and paying
less each year as the total of the
District budget rises. He spoke of
the tremendous amounts of free
water given by the District to Fed
eral institutions, notably the Penta-
gon, as an example of District serv-
ice.
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 mental hygiene unit in
the District Health Department.
The lead in the campaign for
housekeeping aide service was car
ried by Mrs. Harold N. Marsh, who
told the O'Mahoney subcommittee
the proposed appropriation of some
$4,000 for permanent District
service to this end would be an econ
omy since it is much cheaper to aid
needy families by providing house.