Evening star., 1925-12-07
COMMITTEE TO END TURMOIL
In FISCAL RELATIONS is ASKED
Recommendation Heads Report of Commissioners
Given to Congress Today-Wider Powers
Are Asked for City Heads.

Are ASkcu Il
Continued from First Page)
This means that If when the work l:
started it is found that one street VII
cost slightly more than the estimate
and another street less than was eStl
mated. the adjustment can be made
In addition to the important ques
tons emphasized by the Commission
erS in their report for the last nSca
year, they have under consideration
a number OF proposed pieces OF iegls
lation which Congress will he asked u
consider as the session proceeds. A
present they are waiting for the
recommendations of the Citizens Ad
visory Council before putting thi:
Legislative program into final form
Some of these matters, such as the
public welfare bill, were before the
last Congress, while others are new
propositions.
The chief recommendation in thai
part of the Commissioners report
dealing with the free public library
system is that Congress revise the IL
brary organic law to insure adequate
growth and improvement OF the IL
brary service.
Bill Already Drafted.
A bill has been drafted to cover
these needed amendments to the Ii
brary law and is one of the legislative
matters now before the Commission
ers. A number of civic organizations
including the advisory council, nave
approved the contemplated revision
of the library law.
The bill would provide legislative
foundation for the establishments OF
branch libraries in various parts oil
the city. definitely authorize the set
ting up of branches in public school
buildings, carry authority for the ac'
ceptance of gifts for library develop
ment and would make definite pro
vision for other library functions.
The library trustees appeal to Con
gress to appropriate in deficiency
bill as soon as possible the amount
necessary to open the children'S room
in the new Mount Pleasant branch IL
brary for the balance of this fiscal
year. The splendid equipment and
carefully chosen stock of books IN
that room are standing idle because
the current appropriation act did not
provide funds for personnel.
Building Program outlined.
The trustees call to the attention
of the legislators a five-year building
and development plan prepared by Ii
brary officials, calling for new branch
buildings in the northeast, George
town and on Connecticut avenue and
for the gradual opening of 2l branches
in public school buildings.
Discussing library conditions gen
orally, the report continues:
The past year has been one OF
great activity at the main library anC
branches The library circulated into
Washington homes and offices l,O92,
533 volumes and 1858 mounted PIC
lures. or / ,205, ,lS6 pieces. In the cen
trail reference room 9,277 questions
were recorded, including 761 telephone
calls, and a very large number OF
questions We're answered at the infor
nation desk in the lobby. Request:
for information on technical and in
dustrial subjects were handled in the
industrial division.
"The children'S department, lnclud
ing the central children's room, the
schools division, and Southeastern and
Takoma Park children's rooms, show:
circulation of 536,906 volumes fol
the year, which is 49 per cent of the
total library circulation. The chill
dren's department has developed as
far as it can with the present person
mel, equipment, and space available
for it. The librarian in his annua
report called attention to the fact thai
100 per cent of the total funds of the
District were spent for charities anc
corrections, while only OF per cen'
was spent on the libraries of the Dis
trict, and stresses the Importance o.
good reading in the development OF
child's mental ability and character
That classroom library work has be
come firmly established with the grad
ed School-teacherS is shown by tht
fact that last year 61,9S7 volume:
were circulated from 602 classroom:
in 1873 schools, the total circulation
being 295, 1856. According to this plar
claSsrooms upon request are supplet
with book collections carefully chosel
to correspond to the age and specla
interests of each class.
Service Extended.
'This service is being carried oveI
to the junior high schools as they ma
terialize: for many years the Public
Library has met the demands of senlo
high school librarians for supplement
arv reading. The Takoma Park
Southeastern, and Mount Pleasan
branches are steadily increasing thei
book stocks. registration, and clrcula
ton, and directing their efforts t
meet the special needs of their com
munities. Close cooperation betweel
the schools and branches is seen.
Eleven recommendations of DireC
tor Eldridge for improving traffic con
ditons In Washington are passed on t
Congress in the report. A bill is ex
t1I hn
later for the necessary amendment
to the law. Mr.. Eldridge's recon
mendations are:
Repeal of the section which woul'
require more than 100000 persons t
renew their operators permits ar
nually beginning next March. MI
Eldridge believes that if he is clothe
with ample authority to suspend an
revoke permits for cause 1t would b
useless to require all motorists to re
| new their cards yearly.
That the director be given broade
power to suspend permits after heal
! ing and pending trial Of the driver, a
we'll as more discretion in revokin
permits.
Would Define ReckIessness.
| An amendment to define more cleal
| ly the present definition of rockies
| driving 1t is probable the forthcon
| ing bill will recommend two separat
| charges under this heading-reckles
| driving and careless driving.
J Enactment of a law requiring tha
| a certificate of title go with ever
automobile in the District-an effecitv
weapon in preventing sale of stole
| cars.
A suggestion that all funds receive
| from the sale of tags and operate
permits. amounting to 100000 a yea1
be constituted a revolving fund fC
use in installing traffic lights and fo
other traffic bureau expenses.
4. A request for authority to suspen
the permits of drivers unable