Evening star., 1952-06-26
Economy-Minded
House Group Cuts
Funds for District

new salaries, he added.
Part of the requested 100000
was earmarked by the city heads
to defray expenses of establishing
their all-important citizens ad-
viSory council, Gen. Robinson said.
Our only hope is in the SEN
ate," he said.
In its discussion of the reorgan-
ization issues the committee did
not suggest its denial of the extra
fund would prevent reorganiza-
ton.
Committee Explains Action.
The report said the reorganiza-
ton plan. now before Congress,
presumably would become effec-
tive. It added that "the actual
adjustments of administrative
organization should normally oc-
cur within the appropriations
available without the necessity of
further imponderables."
1t said it had denied the $780,
600 "for lack of adequate and
substantial Justification"
1t stressed that District officials
had said the money was needed
for contingencies which may arise
and that this indicated a wide
variety of purposes existed. How
ever, it said the request indicated
the entire extra amount would be
spent for nerSnnnel
"The committee strongly feels"
the report said, that analysis of
the effects of an administrative
reorganization should receed its
presentation and that the request
made at this time is comparable
to the horse following the cart"
Defense Funds Slashed.
For civil defense for the new
fiscal year the Commissioners.
with Federal budget approval,
made an insistent appeal for
$725 900. The committee recon-
mended only 100000, or only a.
little more than 13 per cent of
the request.
The committee report, drafted
by the District subcommittee
headed by Representative Bates,
Democrat. of Kentucky. took Of
tense at some of the language used
by District officials in seeking to
justify their proposed outlay.
The committee put it's findings
In these words:
ut was testified that the es-
Sence of an effective civil defense
program is an active core of paid
personnel and a host of interested
local volunteers.
ut also was testified that cur
rently public interest is not as
great as might be desired, and,
further, that increased appropria-
tions would secure the desired in
crease in public interest.
"The justification. statement
concluded with the threat that
it can be classed as criminal neg
Igence to ignore it (any chance
OF attack to the extent of with
holding the funds -.
This committee Is firmly op-
posed to the concept that freely
flowing monies from governmental
treasures can produce enlighten-
ment for the general public. Fur
ther, the committee is convinced
that the hysteria-producing pub
1icity attendant upon appropri-
alton requests in these nerve
6training days causes more poten-
tial panic damage than it pro-
duceS interested awareneSs of dan
ger.
In making it's recommended !
tions, the committee does not in
tend to minimize what is veryl
real threat to the well-being of
all citizens The funds that are
provided are intended to do that
very thing which was described
as the essence of the program,
namely, assure a small staff which,
doggedly devoted to it's purpose,
can accomplish much good in Gre
ating fundamental public aware
ness"
Rent Funds Provided.
For District rent control, pre-
sumably to be extended for at |
least part of another year, the
committee recommended $125, 900.
Tho "Reminiscences LoI oel~ar |
$1S8, 8,750, on a full-year basis.
The committee also recon-
mended 1897 900, the full sum
asked by the District, for the
compensation and retirement
fund.
But District officials were taken
sharply to task for not having
submitted these deficiency re-
quests earlier.
The committee is amazed at
the apparent lack of reasonable
judgment on the part of respon-
sible officials" the report said, "in
deferring to this late date the
presentation of a deficiency re-
quest. the necessity for which must
have been obvious from the obli-
cation data of the first two fiscal
quarters"
The committee recommended
that an additinal $92,613 for pay
ments to non-proflt private hospi-
tails for the care in this fiscal year
Of District INDECENT patients. The
committee contended there was no
contractural or legal basis for
claiming this amount, but it
agreed moral obligation un-
doubtedly existed. 1t added that
the Commissioners would be wise
to review their budgetary tech
niques in handling this item and
"raise their sights more in line
with reality"
Other Items Approved.
Other items approved by the
committee include:
l. An outlay of $25, 900 to serve
as an initial working capital fund
to carry out a centralized public
fakn