Evening star., 1945-05-25
be concluded before hearings begin
a year hence on the 1947 budget.
More Aggressive Attitude Urged.

10. A more aggressive" attitude
was recommended for members of
the Public Utilities Commission as
to regulation of rates of utility con-
Germs. Its budget requests were re-
duced by only minor amount, but
the committee said:
while the committee realizes the
complexity and magnitude of the
problems continually before this
body, 1t is nonetheless of the opin-
ion that more aggressive attitude
might be adopted, especially in re-
gard to a more thorough analysis OF
public utility rates with view of
satisfying both themselves and the
public that the rates are just and
proper"
In addition to these proposals, the
committee removed the old S35, 900
limitation funds which may be used
for annual stepups in pay due to
civil service rea1location. This was
partly result of protests made by
Chairman Randolph of the House
District Committee that some de-
served increases were denied only
because of the arbitrary limitation
on revenue usuage.
One feature of the bill, regarded
as important by budget officials, au-
thorizes the Commissioners to in
vest in United States Government
securities any part of the general
fund, highway fund, water fund or
trust funds not needed to meet ex-
penses during current fiscal year.
They are authorized to deposit the
interest from such an investment
to the credit of the fund from
which the investment was made,
and Ito sell or exchange such Sc
curities for other Government Sc
curities, and deposit the proceeds to
the credit of the appropriate fuad." +"
AS of April 30, the District had
in the Treasury s21 900, 900, of which
s17,000,000 was from the general
fund and the balance from special
funds. Budget officials estimated
that the bill might enable the Dis
triet to collect 100000 of interest
a year.
Study in Refuse Asked.
Concerned over the growing costs
of collection of garbage and trash,
the committee urged that study be
made OF placing the refuse collec-
ton service on fee basis.
The bill also authorizes $403 900
more for construction of an addi-
tional city incinerator and 1902 TOO
for construction of a new refuse
transfer station, near New Jersey
avenue and K street Sc, and $12 500
for plans for a garage and shop
building at West Virginia avenue
and Mount Olivet road NE, to re-
place the present Southeast repair
shop.
AS previously indicated, the COM
mittee included in the bill items of
$500, 900 for construction of a new
pediatrics building at Gallinger Mu-
nicipal Hospital, and $4,000 for
new and enlarged laboratory there.
Also there are items of $4,000 each
for an incinerator and for a new
residence for the hospital super
intendent.
Taking note of reports indicating
that many persons able to pay whole
or part costs have not been billed
high enough for Gallinger service,
the committee wrote in new Ian
guage to forbid use OF Gallinger
funds for free care of other than
INDECENT persons. Exceptions al
lowed are emergency cases and the
diagnosis of tuberculosis.
School Funds Provided.
Despite slashes made in the school
construction program, the bill would
provide funds:
For furnishing and equipping the
Davis Elementary School, an addi-
ton to the Kimball Shool and a new
elementary school at Fifteenth and
Hamlin strets NE.
For continuing construction Of
new vocational high school to re-