Evening star., 1950-01-24
House Group Studies
D. {. Funds Bill Pleas
As Hearings Close
By Don S. Warren

T Sas"SS SsSSS
By Don S. Warren
A five-man subcommittee of the
House today faced the task of
writing a District spending bill
for the next fiscal year, with con-
fiicting testimony from city off,
cials and residents ringing in
their ears.
Representative Bates, Demo-
crat, of Kentucky, heading the
subcommittee, said the first busi-
ness will be a study of the record
of the hearings. These ended late
yesterday with the second day of
testimony by citizens. District Of
f1cials had been heard earlier In
closed sessions.
Many of the citizens pleas were
for more funds for the city's
crowded schools. Asked for his
reaction to this, Chairman Bates
said:
I'VE are impressed with the
needs of the entire District"
In this he was supported by
Representative Furcolo. Democrat,
of Massachusetts,. a subcommittee
associate.
Hasn't "Seen Surplus"
Chairman Bates, asked about
possible additions to the Com
missioners' budget of $119,0O0,-
600. which Is estimated to leave
a 1851 surplus of nearly $4,000
600, said: "We haven't seen the
surplus yet" He added: 1--WE can
work with only what we have"
Mr.. Bates said he hopes the sub
committee can finish preparing the
bill before the end of this week.
The document then will go to an
executive committee of the full
House Appropriations Committee.
II approved there, it will pecome
a part Of the "one-package" supply
bill for all Government Agencies
which is to be sent to the House
for consideration under this years
new budget-making plan.
The problem of the city S private
hospitals In caring for charity
patients Of the District was
pointedly brought before the sub
committee yesterday by Henry D.
Hamilton, spokesman for the Dis
trict's Hospital Council. He said
the Commissioners proposal for
$700, 900 for this purpose is totally
inadequate" and asked for an
additional $350.000.
Higher Maximum Asked.
In this connection he asked
that the maximum rate paid the
voluntary hospitals by the Dis
trict be increased from SO to $14.80
per day for ward care and that
the payment for clinic visits be in
creased from 50 to 2.S5 a day.
Mr.. Hamilton said the private
hospitals would be faced with a
dilemma should Congress fail to
appropriate funds sufficient to pay
for the medical charities. One
alternative. he said, would be tc
raise their rates for paying pa
tients-saying this, in effect, would
be q tax on sick people"
Called Extravagant Luxury.
A contention that the present
National Guard setup is an ex-
travagant luxury was made by Col
Charles M. Myers. retired instruc-
tor. Later 1t. Col. Robert F
Cocklin, chief of staff of the Dis
trict Guard defended the budget
plan to have full-time service oil
both the commanding general ano
the adjutant general of the Guard
which had been protested by Col
Myers. In addition to It's mission
as a reserve component of the
Army, Col. Cocklin said, the
Guard has strong local defense
mission"
Glen e. Mclaughlin, for tn.
Connecticut Avenue Citizens AS.
sociation, pleaded for $500,000 fol
a branch library for his area.
Funds for another proposed
branch library were requested by
Mrs. E. B. Morris of the Fort Davi.
Citizens Association, who cham.
pioned the need for a new branch
for Anacostia.
The need of a new Hine Junior
High building again was stressed
by Michael j. Lane, speaking fol
the Capitol Hill Lions Club. HI
urged $500,000 to start construc.
ton and $4,000 to complete
purchase Of land for It's recreation
areaS.
| Jerome B. Mckee, president OF
the Federation of Business Men.
Associations, while asking fol
more funds for a number of city
departments, urged the Bates sub.
committee to sponsor repeal of the
District income tax and the tax or
personal property.
Alan Poyne Reoppointee
Heed of ABC Bourd
The Commissioners today re-
appointed Alan w. Payne as chair
man of the Alcoholic Beverag,
Control Board for a term of fou
years, effective February 8.
| Mr. pavrae mas ara,,ni,afad Ia fL,