Evening star., 1949-08-20
Funds for SesquiHingeI
On Senate, With Faint
Hope Of Approval |

nope OF Approval
A faint hope OF Senate action
was all that remained for the
Freedom Fair today, following ac-
ton of the House yesterday in
killing a $3,000,000 appropria-
ton for the District projected ses-
quicentennial celebration.
The House deleted the item on
q roll call vote of $50 to 129 dur
ing consideration of a supple
mental appropriation bill. The
bill was passed later on voice
vote. with $4,748.246 in funds for
other District activities intact, in
eluding money for retroactive pay
raises for city workers.
The appropriation measure now
goes to the Senate. where the
money for the Freedom Fair could
be restored. The upper chamber
placed a $2,000,000 item for the
celebration in a previous money
bill, but 1t was knocked out In
Senate-House conference.
Barron Statement.
Carter T. Barron, executive vice
chairman of the National Capita.
Sesquicentennial Com m iss o n
crossed off the chance Of new helr
from the Senate, however, in 9
statement issued last night. Mr.
Barron said:
THE action of the House o1
Representatives in deleting the
item of $4,000, 900 for the National
Capital Sesquicentennial celebra-
ton from the deficiency appro-
priation bill will necessarily end
our plans for the Freedom Fair
on which, with the constant en-
couragement of President Tru-
man, dozens of citizens of Wash
ington had been working without
any recompense other than the
thought that they were perform
ing a fine public service.
1--WE had hoped to have the
Freedom Fair dynamically illus
trate the forces of our democratic
way of life, which have made
Washington the great Capital of
the Nation. which stands at the
forefront of the free nations of
the world.
1T is now too late in this
session of Congress to seek any
other legislation affecting the
work of the Sesquicentennial
Commission. What sort of COM
memoration of the 150th ami
versary of the establishment Of
the seat of Government in Wash
ington can be held without funds
it is too early to say. But to all
those who have worked so dill
gently for the Freedom Fair, I
wish to extend the thanks Of the
commission"
Endorsed by Committee.
On two previous occasions, the
House Appropriations Committee
had refused to include money for
the Sesqufcentennial Commission
In appropriation bills. Yesterday,
however, the item came to the
House floor with the Endorsement
of the committee, after a special
appeal by President Truman.
Economy advocates prevailed in
the move to delete it, initiated by
Representative Wheeler. Demo-
Of Georgia. The voterto strike out
the 100000 came despite pleas
by Representative Rabaut of
Michigan and Smith of Virginia,
Democrats, and Horan Of Wash
ington, Republican. Mr.. Koran is
a member of the commission.
This will be a money-making
proposition insofar as the Federal
Government is concerned" Mr..
Rabaut said. He pointed out that
commission officials expected to
realize substantial profit from
admission charges and concession
leases, but required money for the
initial expenses of constructing
buildings.
Site Draws Opposition.
The proposed site of the expo
sition - park land east of the
Armory was opposed yesterday
by some members of the District
Recreation Board, on the ground
1t would cut into needed recreation
areas. But Mr.. Rabaut COM
mented:
1T would be worth something
to the District of Columbia to
clean up that place down there" "
The proposed buildings would
include several of permanent con-
struction which would give the
Capital $10,000.0o0 in permanent
buildings for a $3,000,000 invest
menu, ne declared.
Mr.. Rabaut chided opponents OF
the appropriation. He suggested
that the real reason for their OBJ
lection was that they "didn t
want to be disturbed in their Off
ces by some of the people from
their home districts" coming here
to visit the fair.
Mr.. Smith prefaced his state
ment by saying:
II don't think any of my COL
leagues here will accuse me of
being a wild spendthrift of Gov
ernment funds"
Established Commission.