Evening star., 1952-02-20

today by the Associoted Press with per
mission Of the Sunpopers.
mounting the dais. The spectators
are hushed, expectant.
The air throbs with excitement.
This is a budget hearing-the
States fiscal future is at stake.
Waiting tensely to one side,
chain smoking and sponging their
brows, are the heads Of every
State bureau. Each is surrounded
by hysterical comforters. his
assistants-they look like. the fam
lilies Of men about to be hanged.
Member Radiates Confidence.
Committee members begin to
file in, confident, nonchalant.
They look like they've done a lot
of hanging.
Goldstein (jovially, to audience)
Here's the distinguished gentle
man from Prince Georges, folks,
very able man, the Senator from
Prince Georges!" (Senator Fletch-
er, rim-faced, sinks into a chair. }
Goldstein-"And here's the able,
distinguished Senator from the
fine county Of Talbot. Quite a
ladies' man, the Senator from
Talbot" Barring his teeth, Sena-
tor Shehan couciles himself cas-
uallyD
| Goldstein-"And now the able
distinguished, popular Senator
from the great county of Howard.
Hard-working, tool" (Senator Sy-
bert places himself. The rest fol-
low-Barton, Kimble, Adkins and
others, until finally Phoebus. last
to arrive, is installed.)
Able and Distinguished.
Goldstein-"and the able, dis
tinguished. popular, hard-work-
ing, uh, able, distinguished Sen
ator from Somerset! Quite a
ladies' Che glances at the
gray-haired newcomer and pulls
himself up.) There now!" Cleans
back, beams at the crowd.)
The hearing begins. Depart
ment chiefs, held erect by their
aides, pass in turn. They have
banded for mutual protection
there is a certain similarity in
their statements. @
Mr.. Poorbaugh director, De-
partment Of Information)-"My
budget is modest to the point of
inadequacy."
Mr.. Small chairman, Racing
Commission) - MY budget is
rather conservative.
Mr.. Ewald chairman, Civil De-
fense Council-"My budget is
the minimum essential amount" ("
Budget Squeezed Dry.
Mr.. Shipley chairman, Division
Of Parole and Probation)-"My
budget has been squeezed dry"
The committeeman subject the
passing bureaucrats to merciless
inquisition, stripping their secrets
bare to the bone.
"Goldstein-"Have some of this
good spring water, Mr.. Poorbaugh,
Sir. Comes from way out in Ale
gany County this week, Sir. Mr..
Kimble, Allegany's great Senator,
brought it with him."
Phoebus-"May I ask a question,
Mr.. Chairman"
Goldstein - ''It would be an
honor and privilege to have you
ask question, Senator Phoebus. /"
Phoebus - "This $350,0OO. Mr..
Small. Pause. Mr.. Small has
been explaining the $780, 900 in
detail for some minutes. and has
just cohcluded.) S.,
Mr.. Small-"Yes, Senator?"
Phoebus-"Well what
mean to say is well-how
bout it?"
Witnesses Wilt.
Relentlessly the questioning
continues. Witnesses wilt. Tenn
pers rise. Senator Barton savagely
lpuffs his old corncob. Senator
Adkins intently watches mis-
budget book, tracing the figures
with a blistered finger.
Barton-"Mr. Chairman, I'd like
to"
Goldstein Go right ahead.
Senator Barton, sir. We certainly
want you to be enlightened all
right
Barton-"As say, Mr.. Davis
(State Employment Commits
Sioner)-"
Mr.. Davis-"That's a broad
statement. Senator Barton. When
you get down to the facts, doubt
that very much"
Barton-"You said
Mr.. Davis-"I didn't say any
such thing!"
IGoldstein-'No gentlemen, let's
don't have any personality argu-
ment, now
| Mr.. Davis-''Do I have to repeat
q