Evening star., 1947-04-09
Vocational Unit
Warned 10 Heed
DeficiencyLaw
Bridges Threatens Joil
For Agency Counsel
Advising Violation

Members OF the Senate Appro-
prjations Committee today warned
officials Of the Once OF Vocational
Rehabilitation that someone might
60 to Jail if the anti-deficiency law
continued to be ignored.
Michael j. Shortley, director of
the agency, appealed to the De-
ficiency Subcommittee to restore an
item OF $1,734.000 sought by the
agency, but denied by the House,
for grants to the States for voca-
tional rehabilitation programs.
Testimony developed that because
State programs had expanded faster
than had been anticipated, the Fed
eral agency was short OF money to
met its obligations.
Tydings Hits Deficiencies.
Mr.. Shortley submitted an opinion
by Jack B. Tate, the agency's coun-
sci. to the effect that because of
congressional mandate for Federal
grants to the States for the program,
this service was not subject to the
anti-deficiency law.
Senator Tydings, Democrat, of
Maryland said he was highly in
favor of the rehabilitation program,
but added I'VE are getting little
sick and tired of having to meet
here every year to consider deficiency
requests which arise because Gov
ernment agencies spend more money
than Congress has appropriated.
He said Congress may have to
amend the law II the States fail to
estimate closer on what Federal
funds they will need. He protested
the impossibility of keeping order in
Federal financing under present
procedures.
Jailing Seen Possible.
mittee Chairman Bridges
sharply warned that If such q de-
ficiency were encountered again
next year, you are not going to
get It," "If necessary, we will put
your counsel in JAIL" he added.
Mr.. Shortley said his agency had
underestimated the speed with
which the State programs would
expand. He cited reports to show
there had been 81 per cent in
crease in medical examinations and
a IS per cent increase in hospitah-
zation.
Other spokesmen for the agency
gave assurances the situation would
not be repeated next year.
Charles E. Burbridge, administra-
tive superintendent of FTeedmens
Hospital here, appealed for an addi-
tional $4,000 above what the House
had granted for the institution.
Survey Need Is Cited.
He said the sum, was needed to-
hire expert consultants to make a
detailed survey of the needs OF
modernizing the hospital plant and
facilities and to study reorgani-
zation of it's services. The need, he
said, was hfghlighted by the recent
outbreak of infant diarrhea Mt
Freedmen's.
Senator Tydings recalled the COM |
prehensive survey of all Washington
hospitals made several years ago
and wondered il another survey
report would merely be one to gath
er dust He said he would rather
appropriate funds to correct faults
already known to exist
DIR. Otis L. Anderson, OF the hos
pital division of the United States
Public Health Service, agreed that
the United States Public Health
Service could make the proposed
survey without cost. but said this
would require a year because the
agency meanwhile would have to
carry on its regular work
Fleming Asks 20 Millions.
Maj. Gen. Philip B. Fleming, Fed
eral Works Administrator, appealed |
to the committee to grant $4,000
600 for progision of Government sur
plus buildings and equipment needed
by colleges in the veterans educa-
ton program.
The House had disallowed this re- !
quest, saying the GI education pro-
gram probably had reached the peak
enrolment. 1t contended also the
Works Administration had used only
= portion of the $4,000 900 already |
appropriated.
FWA officials denied the peak
enrolment had yet been reached,
reporting there were 5000, 900 vet
Grams certified for the program who
had not yet exercised their rights.
They also said much needed class
rooms and equipment could be pro-
vided by the beginning of the fall
school term if the $40 200, 900 were
made available now.
Senator Morse, Republican, of
Oregon, urged the committee to
grant funds for publication of a
three-volume history of the War
Labor Board. This information, he
said, would be of great importance
in the event another emergency