The Washington times., 1921-03-06
Act penslOnlng District y

The Civil Service retirement act
represents q landmark In the history
OF the Federal workers-it 10 the cul-
minAtion OF q night that had Its
genesis almost a generation ago. IL
went into effect last August. and 10
now In operation. Although the an
nuities paid under IL are not such a.
to induce any superannuated worker
to retire as long as he Is able to keep
at the daily grind, IL Is a step In the
right direction. and has stabilised
conditions In Washington TO q degree
that few observers realize. Many
faithful employees now feel that they
have some protection vouchsafed
them in their coming days OF help
lossness-
TEACHERS RETIREMENT
The teachers retirement act is q
similar measure OF a really construc-
tive type, and combined with the in
crease OF teachers pay granted by
Congress has materially Improved the
local school situation.
A storm of controversy has RACED
around the Ball rent act since the
hrst day II was placed upon the
statute books IN October, 1919. Its
fate now lies in the hands Of the
United States Supreme Court. Should
1t be declared constitutional II VIII
result in one of the most tangled
realty situations ever seen In the
United States. At the present time
the Rent Commission Is functioning,
in the face of an adverse decision
from the lower courts. but IL unable
to enforce it's decisions.
The District Commissioners are now
applying the coming act to the city
with the plan of projecting realty
values as far as possible. Certain
districts are to be kept exclusively
residential in character and are not
to be invaded by business structures.
The Municipal Court act takes out
Of the jurisdiction Of the District
Supreme Court all civil cases involv-
ing less than $1,000, and Will nave
the effect of breaking the congestion
in the docket Of the latter court
Is possible that under the terms OF
the measure one or tswo extra judges
will be required.
The Congress also has passed q
standard weights and measures bill,
fixing weight Of a loaf OF bread. pro-
tibiting the sale of ice, coal. or
charcoal in any manner except by
weight, and providing inspection Tor
all scales and measuring devices.
QUESTIONS LEFT OVER.
Congress, however. has not COM
pleted its task with regard to the
District of Columbia Among The
questions held in allegiance are these:
The future taxation policy for the
District-whether the half-and- half
plan shall be continued. or the SO-40
plan, or an entirely new one.
The reorganization Of the Federal
departments.
The reclassifcation of the salaries
OF Government employees.
The Johnson-Nolan minimum wage
bill.
Provision for the construction CT
new school buildings.
The measure providing for a mer-
ger of the Capital Traction Com
pany and the Washington Railway
and Electric Company.
The Dillingham; traffic bill.
The measure adjusting salaries IN
the Patent Office.
All OF these problems remain to be
dealt with. As for taxation, only two
meetings OF the House and Senate
committees have been held in six
months and II Aeems to be the set
tied policy of the conferees not to
press the matter at the present timc.
Both House and Sens'a are ready to
continue the 60-40 pla- or an indefin-
lite period. unless there is a change In
the present outlook.
1t may be accepted as a certainty
that the Senate will continually keep
up the fight for the restoration OF the
half-and half plan and will never con-
sent for any ratio in the fscal balance
, between the Federal Government and
the District OF Columbia less favor
able to the city than the one now In
vogue.
The House appears to be willing