Evening star., 1947-03-20
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by the Federal Government for park
purposes here. The subcommittee
also wants to look into any further
arrangement under which the Dis
trict Government has to pay certain
maintenance costs for the Federally-
owned park system in the city.
A long-standing controversy be-
tween the District Recreation Board
and the National Capital Parks on
jurisdiction over numerous park
facilities came up at today'S hear
ing when Representative Bates asked
Mr.. Christensen whether District
residents paid fees for park priv
neges operated by private enter
prises."
Explains Contract With GSI.
Mr.. Christensen replied that this
"opens a very big and controversial
subject" He went on to explain
how the Interior Department has a
contract with Government Services
for operation of many park facilities
as well as cafeterias in Federal
Buildings.
Several subcommittee members
expressed surprise when Mr.. Chris
tiansen explained system of using
several park swimming pools. The
recreation superintendent said that
during the summer his department
uses several pools in the mornings
while Government Services takes
charge Of the same pools and
charges fees to the public in the
afternoon.
When Senator Cain asked Mr..
Christensen why the District Gov
ernment has made no headway in
Its effort to obtain Jurisdiction of
park facilities now run by Govern
ment Services, Representative Smith
Democrat, of Virginia interrupted
with, "It's the same old story-no
Federal bureau ever wants to give
up something 1t has"
Superintendent Christensen told
the subcommittee that the Recrea-
tion Boards expenditures had in
creased from $379. 1888 in 1912 to $685.
100 in the requested budget for 1948.
He attributed the increase princi-
pally to salary increases and addi-
tional operations because OF the
population increase in recent years.
S4,6O0,0 900 Needed in Years.
He called attention to the boards
long-range recreational program.
This, he said, would require $4,600,-
600 for construction of recreational
facilities during the next six years.
Mr.. Bates produced survey figures
indicating that the District spends
a larger per cent of its tax dollar on
recreation than do 13 other cities
of comparable size. Mr.. Christian
sen, however, disputed the compari-
son because, he said, 1t apparently
included the National Zoo and other
National Park facilities, which the
District does not control.
Alan w. Payne, chairman of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board,
was the next District official to de-
fend department expenditures dur
ing the last 10 years. He reported
that expenditures by his agency
amounted to $4,000 in 1887, and
would be $4,000 in the proposed
1948 budget Most of this resulted
from salary increases and additional
employees. He explained that eight
employees were hired several years
ago when a corresponding number
of policemen were returned to the
regular Metropolitan Police force.
Strong ID. C. Cease" Admitted.
Yesterdays sessions of the joint
committee heard several District Of
ficials defend increased expenditures
in recent years and committee
spokesmen expressed themselves
afterward as believing the officials
made a strong case"
The committee members said they
were impressed by the Districts
"extraterritorial" services for which
1t receives no reimbursement.
Mr.. Bates advocated larger Fed
eral payment to the District to help
avert the deficit threat, but he an
Chairman Cain said that until they
obtain further information on rising
costs in District government opera
tions in recent years, they will not
make up their minds about the size
of the Federal payment or any pend
ing percentage formula proposal.
They also are reserving Judge
want fbnv said on specific bills in