Evening star., 1951-10-23
Citizens Stress
We|fareFunds
In Budget
D. 6. Heads Also
Hear Pleas for U. S.
Payment Increase
By Horriet Griffiths

by horriet 0riffifhs
The Commissioners were armed
today with the views of some sc
spokesman, as they prepared te
draw up a proposed city budget
for the fiscal year 1858.
They are faced, at the start
with department heads estimates
totaling $14l.174.480, aside from
the separate highway and water
funds, some $29 million higher
than the expected revenues.
A repeated plea at yesterdays
public hearing on the new budget
was for an increased Federal pay
ment toward the city's costs. The
spokesmen also voiced support for
large variety of municipal serv-
ices.
Russell w. Schneider, speaking
for the United Community Serv-
ices OF Washington, urged the
Commissioners to indorse the s20,-
677,006 budget proposal of the
~S1&0 Vi QDltC welfare.
$4,000 Involved.
He pointed out there are "a. 900
persons. aged. ill or handicapped
and dependent children who must
look to the board for support and
care.
Grants by the public assistance
division now are 10 per cent below
the cost OF living for April, 1850.
ne noted. In large part because
OF sta1 shortages, persons and
families in need must wait from
f1ve to seven weeks before receiv-
ing financial help, he said.
This delay is principally re-
sponsible for shifting the Districts
welfare burden from public funds
to already inadequate private
funds. placing an undue burden
on Community Chest agencies, he
declared.
A statement Of Alexander B.
Hawes for UCS urged the city
heads to go much further than the
modest requests for capital outlay
made by the board.
Judging from the past, the CITY
heads were advised. if the pay-as-
you-go system Of financing con-
tinues to be followed. "it is doubt
ful whether the District will ever
be properly equipped to meet its
public welfare responsibilities In
the institutional field"
Among others urging adequate
funds for public welfare was John
Corsor. president of Family and
Child Services Of Washington.
Hospitals Ask More.
Walter N. Tobriner. president
OF the Hospital Council of the
National Capital Area, spoke for
an increase Of funds for payment
OF contract hospitals caring for
the Districts INDECENT patients
from 100000 this year to S847. 500
next year.
He pointed out that last years
appropriation failed to cover the
services, even though they were
third less than tt ose provided
in fiscal 1850. He recalled that
$45.00o deficiency in 1851 and
a $4,000 deficiency in 1850 re-
main unpaid.
Contract rates, he noted, are
more than Is per cent less than
Gallinger Hospitals cost. He
cited a necessity for raising the
contract rates to equal the cost
at Gallinger. Even then, he add
ed, the rates still would be much
below the actual costs of the hos
pitals, which the District auditor
has certified to range from $1,000
to $20.68 for fiscal 1850.
Hope that legislation can be
enacted for use of tax funds to
reimburse the Instructive Visiting
Nurse Society for its work among
the District INDECENT was expressed
in the statement of Mrs. Leonard
a. BLOCK, president.
1900 Visits a Month.
She estimated an average of
1900 visits a month are made by
the society to persons receiving
support from the welfare depart
ment. Cost to the society of each
visit is $2.25, she said. No charge
Is made to the District.
Visits to patients referred from
Gallinger Hospital increased from
30,393 in 1850 to 1854 in 1851,
from January through September,
according to tabulation.
Largely because of a recent in
crease in nurses salaries, the So
ciety is presently operating with
an annual deficit of $4,000 in
view, Mrs. Block stated.
Health Center Sought,
A statement of the League of
Women Voters stressed services
most likely to save future ex.
penditures, including provision of
additional teachers, a Northwest
health center and adequate funds
for relief and additional workers
In protective services.
1t also requested consideration
for making better use of present
schools, possibly by bus trans
portation or use of buildings as
needed by all children, regardless
Of color.
A. L. Jagoe, jr., director of youth
welfare, Junior Chamber of Com
merce, recommended that funds
be provided for more recreationall
facilities and adequate staffs forI
the children's institutions. the
plan to move the Industrial Home
School to rural location be ex-I
pedited and that enough money
be supplied for public assistance
grants to be made on the basis
OF realistic food standards.
Among those suggesting that
the Commissioners seek authority
to borrow money to meet Capital
oi1fJov r,oads xx,o G &t,e VIZ 81, ;,.~