Evening star., 1924-04-20
D. C. HEADS RECEIVE
GAS TAX PROTESTS
Reciprocity Committee Registers
Vigorous Opposition to
Measure.

The protest of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations against enact
mont Of the gas-tsX tiil in its pres
ent form is now in the hands of the
District Commissioners, 1t was re-
ported last night by Jesse c. Suter.
chairman of the federation's special
| reciprocity committee, at the organi-
| zations meeting in the District build
ing.
Carrying out the instructions of the
federation to oppose any reciprocity
bill other than the original Commits
sioners' bill the committee. Mr. suter
said. had registered vigorous opposi-
tion to the present bill, which passed
the Senate and House and has now
been referred by the President to the
! Commissioners to determine local
sentiment.
The gas-tax bill as now drafted is
obnoxious" said Mr. Suter. Attack
ing its provisions, from which had
| / cen elm mated the section which
would have authorized the applica-
tion Of the 60-40 plan in cxpending
funds derived therefrom, Mr.. Suter
said the purpose OF Representative
Blantcn in striking out the provision
had been evident
Sees Plan TO withdraw Aid.
THE whole trend of the debate in
Congress over the bill" said Mr.
Suter, indicated that this is the be-
ginning Of plan to put the District
of Columbia on its own resources" ."
The whole proceeds from the tax. he
explained, would. under the bill. be
applied to street improvements under
basis whereby all the money
would be expended from the District
funds. without proportionate amount
under "a nfp,
the Federal Treasury.
We hope" concluded Mr.. Suter in
his report to the federation, that the
District Commissioners Will send the
bill back to the President with a
strong recommendation asking his
Veto
The federation adopted a resolu-
ton. submitted without recommenda- :
tion by the committee on education
as coming from the Petworth Citi-
zens' Association, which favored ap-
pointment of q business manager for
the city schools by the board of edu-
cation. There was lively debate over
the merits of the plan, George w.
Evans declaring ii would be a waste
OF money to add such an official. and
predicting that for the salary pro-
posed, SO, $50, only mediocre bust
ness man could be obtained.
A. H Gregory strongly favored ap-
pointment of such a manager by the
District Commissioners instead of the
board OF education. J. c. Yaden de-
Tended the Petworth proposal.
A report of the committee on edu-
cation. submitted by Snowden Ash
ford. outlining difference of opinion
among the constituent bodies on the
method Of appointing the board of
education ard explaining the fedora
tion had approved appointment by the
Commissioners, was referred to the
committee on law and Legislation, af-
ter lengthy debate and two votes.
This committee is studying the prob
lem of the increasing powers of the
tie, 10 to Is; the second, 16 TO IA
Zoning Features Approved.
The federation adopted two fea-
Emig, chairman of the coming com
mission; commencing the bill by
Senator King to prohibit the erection
of private and commercial buildings
more than ninety feet high in the
vicinity Of government buildings. and
recommending the zoning commission
reduce the zoning height on both
sides of Massachusetts avenue be-
tween 18th street northwest and Du-
pont Circle from ninety to sixty feet.
The federation approved of a pro-
posed anR ndment to the zoning law
which would authorize the commits
sion in emergencies to postpone ac-
tion without notice on building. per-
mits until public hearing could be
held.
Report by L. y. Henderson of the
police and fire protection committee,
protesting against the use of the
Union Station plaza for show pur-
poses, and commencing the Commits
sioners for refusing permits for such
exhibitions there, was adopted.
Upon motion of George w. Evans
the federation extended congratula-
tions TO the District Commissioners
upon their reappointment and con-
firmation.
Committees Appointed.
To cooperate with the Chamber
Of Commerce in consideration of a
testimonial dinner to the Commits
sioners upon the occasion of their as
suming office for a new term, the fol-
lowing committee was appointed: f.
B. Henderson, John A. Saul, Mr.
Evans. H. B. Ridgely. J. d. Smoot.
proposal of the Petworth Citizens
Association to amend the bylaws so
as to provide two alternate delegates
tion was formally presented and re-
ferred to q committee consisting of
James T. Yaden, Daniel Edwards,
Evan H. Tucker. William NICK. Clay
ton and Sidney Roche. 1t will prob
ably be reported out for action at the
next meeting.
Charles A. Baker, president of the
federation, sounded an appeal for
delegates to be more faithful in com
mittee work, in which he said lies
the strength or weakness of our or
ganization."
J. w Murphy favored increasing
the powers of the Commissioners in
order that through their appoint
ments the laws might be admin
istered here by bona fide" residents