Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-17
Measure Sent
Committee;
Little Time Left
BY GRACE BASSETT
Star stan Writer

A bill to increase pensions
Of District policemen, firemen
and thier widows and children
today stands q slim chance Of
escaping the same kind Of
deathblow it dealt last year In
Senate House conference.
A Senate subcommittee has
reported the House passed
measure, without recommen-
dalton, to the full District
committee.
The committee expects to
hold only one more meeting
this session on all bills sub.
mitted by its subcommittee.
That meeting probably will be
after 10 days and close to con-
gressional adjournment.
If the committee approves
the House bill, officers who re.
tired before August 1, 1855,
and members Of their families
may expect a Is per cent boost
in pension pay. The commit
tee Is bound to give weight.
however, to the District Com
missioners' argument that only
widows and children should be
granted added benefits.
City's Protest Recalled
Commissioners protested In
hearings on both sides Of Con-
gress that the had no money
to pay 1860 retirement costs
of $1.3 million for the men.
$4,000 for the widows and
500, 900 for the children. Along
with Representative Auchin-
Gloss. Republican of New Jer-
sey, the commissioners warned
that the bill, if passed, UNI
doubtedly would lead to a Dis
trict tax increase.
The pension bill was spon-
sored by House District Com
mittee Chairman Mcmillan. It
was passed by the House last
year. The Senate then voted
increases only for widows ana
children. The measure could
not be rescued only for widows
and children. The measure
could not be rescused before
adjournment from a Senate
House conference.
The bill is in a much better
position this year since this
Congress may carry over UNI
finished business to the next
session.
Other Bills Reported
Other bills sent the full Dis
trict Committee by a subcom-
mittee headed by Senator
Frear, Democrat of Delaware,
would.
Free 106 Federal officials
from District income taxes, at
a tax loss of an estimated
$28, 900 annually. The Howe
has cleared legislation exempt
ing rs presidential appointeeS
from the tax. at an estimated
loss of $4,000.
Increase retirement benefits
of Charles Benter, director OF
the Police Band. Also passed
by the House, this bill would
permit him to retire as a CAP
tain in the Police Department.
Now, he would receive retire.
ment under civil service rather
than as a member of the force.
In an informal meeting in
the Senate cloakroom, the
Frear subcommittee also locked
UP, at least for this session.
three other bills. Members de-
cided against action on pro-
posals to assign city lawyers to
defend court suits against Dis
trict employees and to require
the city to buy risk insurance
for its employees. The Commits
sioners have promised to give
Congress next year a torts
claims bill. similar to Federal
law, to eliminate District Gov
eminent immunity in such
court actions up to q fixed
amount.
Also pigeonholed was a bill.
submitted and then withdrawn
blythe Commissioners, to ap-
point special policemen to
guard specified Federal agen-
cies. Policing has been worked
out administratively with the
General Services AdminiStra.
ton, committee aides said.