Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-19
Smooth SAILING
In Senate Seen
.ForD.C.. Budget
But Dirksen Raises
Storm Warnings on
Civil Defense Funds


The Districts record budget
for the fiscal year, which begins
on July /, faces smooth sailing
through the Senate, it appeared
as hearings recessed over the
week end.
Senator Dirksen, chairman OF
the District subcommittee Of the
Senate Appropriations Commit
tee, ran up storm warnings
however, for the House-Senate
conference. which must follow
Senate passage.
The strongest battle there, he
indicated yesterday. will come
over funds for the Districts
Civil Defense Once, whose
budget was sslashed $1S3, 900 by
the House Appropriations Com
mittee.
A similar row developed last
year. he recalled, when Senate
conferees managed to get hall
Of a House cut restored.
Subject for DiscOrd.
1.-THE item was beset by q
great deal Of disagreement" the
Illinois Republican declared
land was defended with a good
deal Of vigor-which might be
regarded as a classic of under
statement"
He said spending q little
amount" for civil defense "only
scratches the surface"
"a little amount Of money
would only be thrown away" he
added. II assume there will be
a reasonably sharp discussion ir
conference"
Indications Of smooth sailine
came during another discussion
at the harrington the Fire De-
partment's request for restora.
ton Of $49,359 to cover the cost
Of a new fire engine and equip.
ment for a new station in the
Anacostia area.
Generally. he told Commits
Sioner Spencer, I'm content tt
rely on your judgment" and that
of officials who have to live with
problems Of operating the city
on a day-to-day basis.
On the civil defense issue, Mr.
Spencer declared, the Commits.
sionerS were about ready to cut
back their budget requests tt
$115,00 in view Of repeated con.
gresSional slaSheS.
Follow National Plan.
He said, however, they haC
conferred with Federal civil de-
tense officials soon after the
Presidents Conference Of Mayor:
on the problem and had request.
ed $2O8, 900 to make the District
conform with national plans.
The bid did not get past thu
District subcommittee Of the
House Appropriations Commit.
tee, headed by Representative
Wilson, Republican. Of Indiana
who has publicly indicated he
thinks the Civil Defense Office
is a boondoggle.
Where $4,000 had been al
lowed for the current year. the
House subcommittee allowed
$4,000 for next year. So Dis
trict Defense Director John E
Fondahl asked yesterday for res
toration of $133.000 to cover thu
cost of six new employees and tt
let him keep three eliminated
by the House.
Under the current budget. Mr.
Fondahl said, I'VE weren't able
to carry on a practical program
1--WE carried on the attack
warning system and a limited
public education and informa-
ton program, but not much
elSe," he said.
H-BOmb ReviSeS Plans.
Also, he pointed out, develop
ment of the possibility of hydro
gen bomb warfare has forced
civil defense officials to revis'
their plans and provide for pre-
attack evacuation of major cities
This, he said, will require al
even greater public education
program than the old plans.
Police Chief Robert ". Muir
ray asked the Senate to restort
$751; 80 for hiring 26 more civil
ian school crossing guards, ,
tow truck operator and to rem
another tow truck.
Senator DirkSen also told tn,
department to submit a bill tt
the Senate for $23, 900 to cove,
the costs of extra policing pro
vided by the District immediately
after the March / shooting il
the House gallery, in which f1v,
Representatives were wounded.
Milo F. christensen, director
of recreation, asked for restora'
ton of $14,598 to provide foul
recreation workers at as man!
recreation centerS.
COgswell Asks $4,000.
Robert F. Cogswell, director o.
the Department of Occupation
and Professions, asked for res.
toration of $39, 900 for seven en-
ployes and to avoid cutting hon
orariumS of license board mem.
berS.
Earlier the District Commits
sioners said they were asking TO,