Evening star., 1946-02-28
Callahan Urges
Of Us
MorePoIicemen
House Group Told
PIun Would Aid
Returning Veterans
By Don S. Worren

Employment of 125 more men for
the Metropolitan Police Department
was recommended today by mu-
nicipal officials as the Coffee SUBJ
committee of the House Appropria-
tionS Committee resumed study of
the record-breaking 1947 District
budget, which exceeds $81, 500, 900.
The additional policemen were re-
quested by Maj. Harvey G. Gala
ham, new superintendent, whose
proposal was supported by Commits
sioners John Russell Young and
Guy Mason. The extra men and
equipment would cost more than
100000
If approved, the addition still
would leave the force so men below
the authorized strength of 1886,
budget officials brought out. The
request was added to the budget
because of the rate in which vet
Grams, former members of the de-
partment, are being discharged apd
returning to Washington. These
positions had been temporarily
dropped in the past two years only
because of the manpower shortage.
To Consider Other Estimates.
This afternoon, the Coffee Sub
committee is to consider the Fire
Department and courts estimates
and expects to begin work on the
near $4,000 budget proposals for
the Health Department and its vari-
Gus agencies.
The Health Department, with the
support of the Commissioners and
the Budget Bureau, is seeking funds
for the employment of 465 extra
employees in addition to 1887 900 for
construction of the long deferred
polyclinic, or health center, for the
lower Northwest section, at Seventh
and o streets NV. In addition. it
seeks $4,000 for drafting of plans
for another polyclinic in Anacostia.
During the morning, James H.
Flanagan, chairman of the Public
Utilities Commission, told the sub
committee the regulatory agency
thus far had not been convinced
of the need for increased taxi rates
or for the installation of meters,
but added the commissions mind
was not closed on the subject.
No Limit on Taxicabs.
1t also was brought out there is
no present legal limit on the num-
Der of taxicabs and Chairman Coffee
commented this may be necessary
eventually since chiseling and rack
eteering might develop If taxi drivers
were unable to make a decent liy-
ing.
Chairman Coffee said his group
was advised there was no problem
here beyond what might normally be
expected as to immortality in the
park areas" He added that testi-
mony discounted reports from some
quarters that drink addiction among
women in the National Capital was
higher than In other large cities.
Data submitted by police officials,
he reported. showed that Washing
tons policemen clear" a higher per-
centage of felony cases than the
average for the country. There was
some discussion of light sentences" ;"
but officials emphasized they were
making no complaints against the
courts.
On the police record of clearing
felony cases, Chairman Coffee said
this was achieved despite the
higher percentage of crackpots who
come to the National Capital to tell
the President, Congress and Federal
agencies how to solve the problems
of the world"
The police and fire budgets, not
counting the cost of the extra men
recommended today, would be lit
tie over $l0,00O,000, or an increase
of more than 100000 over this
year. This total includes the cost
of relief and retirement of police
and firemen, which next year would
rise by S375,000.