Evening star., 1945-06-06
Civic Groups Seek
Increased Funds for
Many D. {. Services

Spokesman for civic groups ap-
peared before the O'Mahoney Sub
committee of the Senate today to
urge increased funds for many serv-
ices, including the staff of Gallinger
Hospital, Fairgrounds, schools and
welfare agencies.
Additional witnesses were to be
heard later in the day as the ap-
propriations subcommittee neared
the conclusion of its hearings on
the s65,O00, 900 1916 supply bill for
the District.
An urgent plea was made for in
clusion of $4,000 to permit resump-
ton of q full program of concerts
for school children by the National
Symphony Orchestra This was
presented by Mrs. Walter Bruce
Howe, speaking for the board of
the National Symphony Orchestra
Association, and E. r. Finkenstaedt,
association president, who explained
the series was cut from IL to 4 con-
certs last year because of inability
to raise necessary sustaining fund.
Ask More Traffic Lights.
Mrs. Harold N. Marsh told the
OMahoney group it would be a
calamity" If the series had to be
abandoned or curtailed.
Mark Lansburgh and George E
Keneipp, for the Keystone Automo-
bile Club. urged approval of re-
quested extra funds for the Office
Of the traffic director to permit in
stallation of more traffic lights and
parking meters and the hiring OF
three additional engineers.
Mrs. Walter Ufford, speaking for
the District Legislative Council,
recommended funds for additional
physicians. establishment of an out
patient clinic and more attendants
for the psychiatric ward at Gal
linger Hospital. Budget Officer
Walter L. Fowler said the Commits
sioners were requesting added funds
for the psychiatric ward and for
additional help for the operation of
the hospitals large new kitchen.
Miss Helen Richards, for the Leg
islative Council, and Mrs. Ufford
suggested that the projected new re-
ceiving home for children not be
made too large"
Asks Funds for Crippled.
Other witnesses included Mrs.
Richard Jackson. who urged extra
funds for care of crippled children:
Mrs. Jennie Clark, who renewed
requests for purchase of site in
Brightwood for a playground and a
branch library, and Mrs. Florence
E. WEIGH, who asked for the en-
ployment of an additional junior
high school teacher for the instruc-
ton of handicapped and shutin
pupils.
Sympathetic consideration was
given yesterday by the O'Mahoney
subcommittee to requests by DR..
Daniel L. Seckinger, deputy health
officer, acting as head of Gallinger,
for additional employees to man the
new kitchen which will be placed in
service July /.
For this purpose, DR.. Seckinger
recommended, with the approval of
the Commissioners, an additional
$26,120. The House declined to in
clude such a sum because of the
extent of vacant positions in the
Gallinger staff, due to the man.
power shortage. Senator OMa-
honey contended yesterday that
District officials believed they could
hire the extra help If funds were
made available.
Four Times IS Large.
The wyoming Senator said the
new kitchen was four times as
large as the present inadequate
quarters, which has II employees.
The added staff, DR.. Seckinger said,
should permit the hospital to pre-
pare special diets needed for differ
ent types of patients.
The Senate subcommittee yester-
day also considered pleas for an ad-
ditional $17,800 for the Public Lii
brary for preparation of plans for
new branch libraries for Anacostia
and Pleasant Plains and for re-
modelling of the Southeastern and
Takoma Park branches, left out of
the House bill.
TRAFFIC Director william A. Van
Duzer. whose requests were sharply
cut by the House, urged inclusion
Of an additional $50. 400, for extra
assistants. traflic lights and parking
meters.