Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-03


for consideration by the Dis
trict Judiciary Subcommittee
on June IA.
The Hospital Center Act eX-
tension proposed by Senator
Beall, Republican of Maryland,
is the second proposed amend
ment to this District law to
win Senate attention this ses-
sion.
Action Slated
The first allowed the Greater
Southeast Washington Hospital
sponsors to receive about $685.
900 in Federal funds to help
complete their proposed 305-
bed institution. The Senate au-
thorized this grant, 80 per cent
of which would be repaid by the
District, by extending to the
end of the congressional ses-
sion the Hospital Act. Other
wise the law expires June 80.
The House has yet to act on
this bill.
The second hospital bill
would stretch the Hospital Act
to June 1868, primarily to al
low building now in the plan
ming stages at the Washington
Hospital Center. Center Off
Gals have told Senate commit
teemen they probably cannot
prepare detailed proposals for
needed construction before
Congress quits. The hearing
gives them a chance to defend
their needs.
The Senate session also will
focus on Welfare Secretary
Ribicoff's idea that the Federal
Government should share hos
pital costs with private insti-
tutions in the Washington
area, not just in the District
alone. City taxpayers should
be freed from the obligation
under current law to pay 80
per cent of the Federal half,
Secretary Ribicoff has said.
Local Shortages
: The increase borrowing au-
thority sought by the Com
missioners would give the city
the kind Of operating debt
Congress forbids without spe-
cial congressional permission.
The current city budget of
1898 million includes the last
chunk Of SITS million worth of
borrowing authorized for the
flrst time a few years ago for
general operating expenses and
public works.
Local shortages of school,
health and welfare facilities
necessitate a doubling of the
loan authorization immedi-
ately, Walter N. Tobriner, pres
ident of the Board Of Commits
sioners. wrote the Senate Dis
trict Committee.
Passage Of the borrowing bill
this session would permit
budget planners to write bor-
rowing into the money bill for
the year to begin July l. 1868.
This budget win be drafted in
the fall.
The Municipal Court legisla-
ton, proposed by a committee
of local lawyers and judges,
Jurisdiction over cases involv-
ing damages up to $780, 900. The
limit now is $1,000.
Wider Powers
The court also would be CIV
en- a new name-the District of
Columbia Court Of General
Sessions. Its subpoena powers
would be broadened to include |
nearby suburbs.
4 4 *%
A number of other District
measures are on the three-hear-
ing schedules, including pro-
posed Incorporation Of the
Metropolitan Police Relief As
ISOLATION, amendments to the
life insurance law, special prop
erty tax exceptions, adjust
ments of motor vehicle liens,
a change in commitment and
discharge procedures at the
District Training School for re-
tarded children, permission for
police to dispose of seized prop
erty, and amendments of in
heritance laws.
Tomorrow, House District
subcommittee will hear wit
nesseS on bill to let c. Darwin
Stolzenbach sit on the National
Capital Planning Commission.
Mr.. Stolzenbach is the presi-
dentially appointed admins
traitor of the National Capital
Transportation Agency.
Highway Hearings
Chairman Mcmillan of the
House District Committee, in
PRODUCED the Stolzenbach bill,
which as yet has no companion
Senate version.
On Tuesday and Wednesday,
another House District sub
committee will hold hearings
~