Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-03
SEEKS TO EXTEND
LIFE Of D. c. PROBE
Zihlman Calls Emergency
Meeting of Committee To.
morrow at 10.

Chairman Zihlman Of the House
District committee, has called an
emergency meeting of the full com
mittee for tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock. An effort will be made to
find some way of continuing the life
Of the Gibson subcommittee. which
has been investigating the municipal
administration, the life of which
subcommittee automatically expires
tomorrow when Congress closes.
The committee also expects to act
favorably upon the Shipstead bill,
which has passed the Senate. in
order that IL may become law with
the close Of the present session. This
measure requires that q permit for
any building over 30 feet I'm height
within 200 feet of any public build
ing, park or parkway must have the
approval of the Fine Arts Commits
sion. An amendment provides that
nothing I'm the bill shall be con-
strued az preventing buildings to the
height of SIS feet being erected
around La Fayette Park.
Eidridge Awaits Advice.
The fate of the current $3.50. 600
traffic signal light project for Wash
ington. as included in the bids from
seven competitors for approximately
500 signal lights, which have been
opened. but not acted upon. by TraflC
Director NJ. o. Eldridge since the sus
pension of Col. I. c. Moller. traffic en-
gineer, a week ago. may be decided
within the next few days, Mr.. Ed
ridge stated today.
Refusing to give details as to the
probable outcome, he indicated that
within a few days he would have
expert advice on the legality and pro.
priety of the specifications calling for
bids, especially on the phase as TO
whether they limited. az previous
specifications were charged with limit.
ing. competition in the bidding to a
favored concern. BY that time also.
1t In expected, he win be advised
through expert channels as to the
concern properly deemed to be the
lowest bidder. to whom the contract
should be awarded.
Cover Important Arteries.
Beyond these general statements,
lights, If installed. would cover Writ.
uslly every important traffic artery in
the city proper and would put virtually
all streets with heavy traffic under
automatic signal control. The appro.
priation available for this project may
total more than Ave times the amount
thus far expended for the purchase
and installation of the traffic lights
now I'm use, since the fees obtained
from the renewal Of permits have
been made available for such expen-
ditures These fees. 1T is estimated,
probably will amount to s35o.000.
With the District Commissioners
preparing for a sweeping survey OF
the administrative Offices of the local
government, the Bureau of Efficiency,
it was learned today, is ready. willing
and able to further the desires of the
Commissioners as the latter may re-
quest in serving them with expert ad-
vice in the general houseclea ming
project at the District Building to be
aimed at the elimination of whatever
gum and grit may be obstructins
smooth operation Of municipal ma
chinery by disca riding obsolete and an
tiquated devices and systems.
Bell Asks Aid.
At the Office of Chief Herbert D.
Brown of the Bureau of Efficiency it
was learned today that an oral and in.
formal request for the assistance Of
the bureau in the District Ruilding
housekeeping project already has been
made by Engineer Commissioner j.
Franklin Bell, but that the bureau was
awaiting a more formal written re.
quest from the Board of Commission
ers before launching into the Work
This request. 1t was indicated at the
District Building, may come from the
board meeting of the Commissioners
tomorrow.