Evening star., 1951-01-10
Dual Pay Bill May
Halt RecreationaI
Use Of D. T.. Schools

Inc DlSJrlcL RecreatlOn Board
is worried about possible passage
by Congress of a bill that would
eliminate the use of 158 school
buildings in the city for recrea-
ton and for PTA, civic and civil
defense meetings.
Milo Christensen, recreation
superintendent, yesterday present.
ed to board members report out
lining the serious" situation that
would face recreation if the bill
becomes law. The bill in ques-
ton is one that would revise the
Federal dual compensation law.
Unless the Recreation Board
were exempted from such a law,
it would not be able to hire the
janitors and engineers to operate
the schools it uses at nights. The
result would be the collapse of
that important phase of the recre-
alton program.
Exempted Since Founding.
Mr. Christensen explained the
Recreation Department has been
exempt from the dual compensa-
ton law since the board was Gre
ated.
However, a revision of the law
was passed by the Senate and the
House in the last Congress. The
House-passed bill was amended at
the last minute at the request of
the Recreation Board so the local
pody would be exempt. Then the
two bills were lost by the adjourn
ment of Congress.
1t is expected the bill will be
re-introduced in the new Con-
gress and that's what has the
Recreation Board worried. Harry
S. Wender, board chairman, said
he wants the public to understand
clearly the danger facing the city's
recreation program.
Here's how the situation would
arise:
The Recreation Board uses
school buildings for it's recrea-
tional program. The custodial
force, employees of the Board of
Education, also work for the
Recreation Board when the build
ings are used for recreation and
are on the recreation payroll also.
Would Set $4,000 Limit.
Under the bills that almost be-
came law, no Federal or District
Government employe hired at a
rate of pay exceeding $4,000
a year could get the compensation
from more than one Government
job. At present the limit is $4,000.
For example, a school engineer
working for the Board of Educa-
ton at a rate Of $121 an hour is
paid that same rate when he
works for the Recreation Board.
That makes his potential annual
pay for the two jobs $5,033.6O.
figured on the basis of 2,080 hours
OF work year, in accordance
with Civil Service regulations.
Therefore, he couldn't be hired
by the Recreation Board.
Actually, in practice, that engi-
neer may work only a few hours
a year for the Recreation De-
partment. A man working at
the rate of $1.37 an hour, as is
the case of an engineer at the
Eaton School, put in II hours
during 1850 for the Recreation
Board and earned $16.44.
But, his potential income is
figured on the basis of the full
2,080 hours. And he would be
disqualified under the revised law.
Would Halt Teacher Help.
Very few of the custodial en-
ployes get less than $1.21 an
hour. So, if the Recreation
Board were not exempt from the
law, it could not use the 500
schol custodians it now employs
part time. 1t could not hire some
40 school teachers in the summer
for its camping program and as
lifeguards. These teachers earn
about $3.50 each during the sum-
mer.
Mr.. Wender said the Recreation
Board plans to appear before the
House and Senate Civil Service
Committees when the new bill is
introduced and present the boards
case.
In another action yesterday, the
board indorsed an American Red
Cross proposal that recreation
workers be trained in flrst-aid.
Mrs. o. G. Hankins was named
chairman of special Board Com
mittee to work with Mr.. Chris
tiansen on details of the program.
3 Playground Projects Approved.
The board also revealed that
the National Production Authority
has given approval to three play
ground projects involving $50, 1000.
Such construction projects need
NPA approval now.
The Kelly Miller Playground
will get paved multiple use area
and a boundary fence at $4,000.
The Harrison Playground will get
$4,000 to start development. This