Evening star., 1953-09-23
Budget Hearing
Puts Emphasis
On Delinquency
Pleas for Increased
Funds Shows Worry
Over Problem

The civic worry was explicit
IN pleas for bigger operating ap-
preparations in the fields of pub
lie education. recreation and well
fare. The range of the anti
delinquency fund requests spread
from an expanded music pro-
gram in the schools to bigger
public assistance grants.
More than so business, pro-
fessional and civic groups were
represented by the turnout. In
addition, about a dozen written
statements were filed with the
city heads. The hearing lasted
all day.
Few Call for Economy.
Few voices of economy were
raised. Harry L. Merrick, preSi-
dent Of the Washington Board
of Trade, called for a 1855 budget
no higher than the current years
appropriation of STAT million.
Hudson A. LaSalle, president Of
the Manor Park Citizens AsSo-
citation, declared that the 1855
total estimates of $185.5 million
are excessive" and should be
cut to $3.50 million-"an econ
omy program instead of spend
ing program
Brig. Gen. Louis w. Prentiss,
Engineer Commissioner, warned
at the outset of the hearing that
the funds available to be spent
in 1855 will be $8.5 million less
than the 1854 total. This is due
to the inroads of pay raises re-
Gently granted or in the mill for
various groups of city govern
ment employees.
Pre-SpenderS, however, were in
the large majority at yesterdays
hearing, and much of their rec
commended expenditures were
aimed at child delinquency.
Typical views:
Edward G. Dixon, Payne PTA
THE juvenile delinquency rate
is alarming. We. feel that an
adequate budget for the school
system and the Recreation De-
partnaent is a much better way
of combating delinquency than
adequately providing for your
penal institutions.
Mrs. Edward b. Morris, Randle
Highlands Citizens Association
I'VE don't want a repetition of
triple shifts in schools. Our chill
dren should be properly pre-
pared for college if they want to
go, and they should be kept
too busy to become juvenile de-
linquents."
Ralph E. CuShman, chairman
of the Education Committee of
the Federation of Citizens Asso-
ciations-Urged construction of
a new Junior high school at
Fourth street and Mississippi
avenue Sc, and additions to
Patterson School and the new
elementary school at Ninth and
Barnaby streets Sc.
Ben Segal, president District
chapter, Americans for Demo-
cratic Action-Supporting the
Recreation Department requests.
because, Now, when the results
OF juvenile delinquency become
daily more shocking, 1t seems to
us all-important to provide the
fullest possible opportunity for
healthy leisure time activity for
our children"
Mrs. Edith BIau, chairman
Citizens Committee for Music
in District Public Schools
Thousands of dollars worth of
damage is done to District
property and the reports regu-
larly show an increase in juve-
nile delinquency, but fortunately
some experts see the relation
between these and an under
nourished educational program.
Mrs. Lloyd S. Luther, District
Mental Health Association
Speaking for more mental health
clinics. School surveys indicate
there are approximately 1000
pupils in urgent need of PSYCHE
atric treatment for serious dis
turbances. In any campaign for
prevention and control of juve-
nile delinquency, increased men
tai health clinics are of first
rate Importance"
Mrs. Leah Lachenbruch, Social
Work Joint Committee on Com
munity ProblemS-Fourteen ad-
ditional workers for the Well
fare Department child welfare
division are needed to give in
dividual attention to the reha-
bilitation of families who have
children temporarily committed
to institutions. This has proven
one of the best and most eco
nomical means of preventing the
spread of juvenile delinquency"
Mrs. Joseph DessOff, Jewish
Social Service Agency-"IS it any
wonder that children in public
assistance families so often turn
to delinquency. either from frus-
tration or need to vent their
feelings" when an occasional
treat" is impossible on public
assistance?
Paul Cherney, United Com
munity Services-"Delinquency
prevention must begin early q. j..
Invariably in all these cases
there is a family problem in
volved. These cases should
receive attention when the early
symptoms appear in the first
grades of school,"
L. Seth Schnitman, president,
Arkansas Avenue Community
ASSociation-A field house at
the Hamilton Street Playground
would provide, under ade-
quate guidance, one of the more
positive means for curbing
juvenile delinquency"
NENn phiIivA Sanip NIn,,oIoI