The Washington times., 1922-12-31
DEVELOPMENTS
Of IMPORTANCE
CROWDMONTHS
Actions of Congress, Courts,
and Utilities Body Hold Great
Significance for Capital
PHONE RATES REDUCED
Light Costs Also Lowered; New
High School to Relieve
Congestion Is Nearly Ready

Enactment of important legis-
lation, the handing down of sew
eral public utility decisions and
the ruling of the courts holding
the minimum wage law unconsti-
tutional were among the high
lights in the history of the Dis
trict Government for 1922.
The court decision holding the
minimum wage law invalid was the
most recent event in District af-
fairs. A final order signed by JUS
tice Adolph Hoehling of the District
Supreme Court week ago. tempor-
arily abolished the minium wage
board of the District and enjoined
the members Of that body from car
rying on the work provided in the
act.
APPEAL is NOTED.
Corporation Counsel Francis II.
Stephens, has noted an appeal and
the case again goes before the
Court of Appeals. The Court Of Ap'
peals is expected to sustain the de.
cision of the District courts and the
case will then be carried to the
United States Supreme Court.
Among the important bills en-.
acted by Congress affecting the Dis
trict was one providing that a cash
balance of $3,OO0,000 must be in the
Treasury to the credit of the city
by 1927.
Officials Of the District contend
that a $5,O00,O00 surplus now in
hn
trict, while Congress holds that the
surplus Is a myth A commit
tee has been appointed to investi.
gate the ownership of the surplus
and should it be credited to the
District II will be held as an opera
ting cash basis for the city and
result in lower taxes for the five
year period ending in 1927.
RATES REDUCED.
Another important bill was one
providing that assessments on real
estate and tangible personal pro-
perty beginning July /. 1922, shall
be listed at full value for the pur.
poses of taxation" Heretofore, taxes
were estimated on two-thirds value
Of property.
The Public Utilities Commission
held several hearings during the
year. Following hearing of the
rates charged by the Potomac
Electric Power Company they
ordered the rate reduced to and
s7.1OO cents per kilowatt hour.
At the request of the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone Company,
the commission ordered reduc
tion in the rate of unlimited
phones.
Hearings also were held on the
establishment and extension of bus
lines. The Commission granted
permission to the Washington
Railway and Electric Company to
establish a cross town bus line
from Petworth to Mt. Pleasant as
we'll as the establishment Of a bus
line from Eighteenth and Columbia
road to Wisconsin avenue and
Macomb street.
SCHOOL NEAR COMPLETION.
The Public Utilities Commission
issued orders regarding the distri
button of coal. With the cooper
alton of local coal dealers a price
of S16.50 a ton was set by the
commission.
The closing year witnessed the
finishing touches being put on the
new Eastern High School, Seven
teenth and East Capitol streets. The
school will be ready for occupancy
shortly after the New Year and will
aid in relieving the crowded condi-
tions Of other high schools.
The difference Of policy and re-
eulting friction between the Board
Of Children's Guardians and the In.
dustrial High School resulted in the
Commissioners recommending to
Congress that all charitable and
agencies, should be co-ordinated
under the direction of the Commits.
sioners.
The first buildings at GallinCer
Hospital were completed during the
year These buildings are caring
for persons held for observation and
treatment because of mental condi-
tions. In their annual report the
Commissioners asked that additional
buildings be erected until all the
patients at the Washington Asylum
Hospital are provided for.
SUBURBS POLICED.
During the year fourteen building
operations were in progress. These
operations included the psvcopathic
group of buildings, powerhouse and
domestic buildings for the Gallinger
Memorial Hospital: the remodeling
Of the Phelps School, four.room ad.
ditions to the Monroe and Deanwood
schools. a twelve.room addition to
the wheatley School. eight.room ad.
ditions to the John Eaton and Mott
schools, an eight-room school build
ing known as the Richard Kings.
man School, an eight-room addition
10 the Buchanan School and an
eight.room school building to re.
place the Bell School.
Under an order Of May 10. 1922,
q bureau Of information was created
for the convenience Of the public
who VISIT in tho District building.
The scope Of the bureau II not re.
stricted to municipal affairs, but
covers many subjects relating to &c.
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