Evening star., 1922-12-17
HOUSE MEMBERS HIT
PARSIM0NY IN PLANS
FOR "CITY BEAUTIFUL" i"

Proper care of the streets in the
National Capital, the extension of
streets and the construction of new
streets to meet growing demands as
the city spreads out are considered
essential and real economies by lead
ers In the House, especially those who
are best informed regarding the real
situation and needs here.
Chairman Madden Of the House ap-
propriations committee says he
stands back for no man in his pride .
IN the capital and his zeal to see it
made more and more beautiful, and
promises to exercise a liberal policy
in deciding upon the appropriations
Tor upkeep and Improvement of the
streets.
Parsimony Is Opposed.
Representative Fred N. Zihlman,
republican, Of Maryland, representing
abutting Maryland territory, which
has excellent improved highways
leading up to the District line, has
taken an especial interest in the
street question and discusses 1t from
certain knowledge.
Representative Roy G. Fitzgerald
OF Ohio, member of the legislative
committee on District affairs, dis
cussed particularly the duty of Con-
gress to see that streets are provided
for homo owners in newly built-up
sections. which he said are 100 per
cent populated on both sides of mud
roads,"
These members of the House are
quoted as representative of the opin-
ions expressed by scores of their COL
leagues, all of whom unanimously de-
clare that there must be no parsimony
or false economy shown in making
appropriations to give Washington
good streets.
Street Work Falls or.
Representative Zihlman said:
There Is no civic improvement SO
essential to the welfare of the capital
highways. 1t is. therefore, strange
to note that. although there has been
gradual increase in current cx-
penses in almost every branch o. :he
District government. there has been
a gradual falling off in this impor-
year there has been about 40 per cent
less work done than was carried on
in 1913 and about 45 per cent less
than In 1917 and 1918.
1T Is difficult to understand Just
why. with the District developing and
tions Of the city being developed,
there should have been this remark
able decrease in new paving as COM
pared with former years. when the
annual budget Of the District was
only about one-half what 1t is today,
U. 9. Pays But 70 Per Cent.
This decrease Is all the more re-
markable when It is considered that
under existing law. whenever the
roadway of any street, avenue or
road in the District of Columbia is
paved with sheet asphalt, asphalt
block. granite block, vitrifed block,
macadam or other form Of pavement,
half the cost thereof. to the width
Of forty feet, is assessed against the
abutting property: The remaining
cost Is borne by the District Of Co.
lumbia and the federal government,
50 per cent by the District and 40
per cont by the federal government.
50 that only 20 per cent OF the cost
Of new paving Is borne by the fed
eral government.
Prior to 1914 the cost Of laying
new roadway pavements and resurf-
acing old pavements was borne as an
expense Of the District Of Columbia
In the same manner as other ex-
penses. Therefore. we hnd the ex-
pense Of government in the District
has Increased in the past ten years
fully 100 per cent. while the amount
Of paving: IL between 40 and IS per
c1uit less than was carried on In 1914.
whom the entire cost was borne by
the District. and one-half the ex-
1suses was paid by the federal gov