Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-04
Commissioner and Trade
Board Head Combat Dis
Senting Citizens Bodies.

park area was as much for the
descendants of citizens at large as
1t was for the citizens of the District
of Columbia. He said he couldn't see
That Congress would favor a general
bond issue. but felt that if a specified
bond issue was presented it would
meet with favor.
LOw-Priced Land Available.
The land can be bought cheaper at
present and a much better balanced
playground program maintained. He
SAID that land values were constantly
increasing and with reference to
school sites that in many cases the
price of land had doubled and in some
cases trebled.
In speaking of the Public Utilities
commission he said it had accom-
p plshed a great many things, but that
with the new commission he expected
bigger things. In this connection he
paid tribute to Maj. w. E. Covell. who
has played an important part in utility
matters of value to the residents of
the District,
The school building program, Col
pen continued, was going along and
he explained that the increased de-
mands could not all be met out of the
appropriations. The lack of appro-
prlations had delayed the improvement
OF many of the grounds surrounding
the schools. More trees, he said, were
being planted than formerly and he
hoped for larger appropriation from
congress this year. By way of ex-
planaton he stated that it cost each
person 10 cents per day in the District
IN order to maintain the National Cap
ltal and make it worth while. When
+. he first came here as District Com
missioner
he said, were $24 900, 900, while today
they have mounted to $3S, zoo, 900.
Lighting System Improved.
Engineer Commissioner Bell re-
ferred TO the noticeable Improvement
in the lighting system in the down.
town section, which is now being
carried out on 5-year basis and
which may take from 10 to IL years
to complete. The new lights had a
hne appearance and gave brilliant
hghting and were being installed
along with the traffic lights. He re-
marked that it wouldn't be long
before Washington would be one of
the best lighted cities in the country
lie also referred to the widening of
the downtown streets, which had
brought new life to many of these
thoroughfares. While a great deal
OF paving had been done in the out
lying sections in the past, not so
much had been done during the past
year.
Reference to the many building
projects being handled by the Dis
trict caused Col. Bell to say that the
municipal architect had proved a
most valuable assistant in preparing
the plans for these structures. While
the District was well started on the
b-year program for schools, he stated
that the people must remember that
when Congress appropriates the
money the municipal architect has
the construction of all District struc-
lures; that he has to prepare plans
for all of them for the year, and
that he could not be expected to get
out the plans in the first six months
He said that over 100000 bricks
were being manufactured at Lorton
Tor use of all District projects.
DOugherty's Brief Address.
Commissioner Proctor L. Dougherty
referred briefly to the many problems
before the Commissioners and pointed
out the necessity for cooperation be-
tween the citizens of the District and
the Commissioners. He said the citi-
zenS, through the associations had
splendid opportunity to assist in Dis
trlct matters. and as president of the
board he invited them to help solve
some of the problems. He referred to
the proposal of the Government to
purchase the land south of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, and felt that the citi-
zens should be interested in the flu
ture welfare of business interests and
property owners who will be affected
by the purchase of this land.
Z. &. Graham also expressed him
self in favor of a bond issue, and set
forth his reasons why the proper kind
of bond issue would prove inval-
liable TO the citizens of the District
He said: I'VE do not want a bond issue
If the District has to pay the entire
amount. / am interested in knowing
who is going to pay that bond" He
spoke of the accumulation of def
ciencies during the war and felt that
II q bond issue was secured it should
: be spread over a period of years and
taken out at the rate Of $500 600 if
the issue amounted to 81 000, 900 or
$2,O0O,00O. He told his auditors that
money would be saved in the long run
and that it would not be a burden 10
the citizens of the District through
this method.
Bonds on 20-Year Basis.
M. A. Leese president Of the Wash
1ngtOn Chamber of Commerce, ex-
Pressed himself in favor OF a bond
issue on a 20-year basis. He told of
the need OF increased light manufac-
turing business in the District, and
while one-thlrd of annual appropria-
lions went for schools, that after the
children Uf the District received their
education there were no positions for
them in the Government, as the quota
IS generally always filled, and they
leave for other places. lie referred
20 the Government owning one of the
largest manufacturing plants in the
DistrIct-the navy yard-and that
other plants should be encouraged
Last year, he continued, manufacture
ing amounted to $75,000,0 600 in the
District, as the result of the opera
ton of 600 plants, which employ over
$4,000 persons. You can have manu-
featuring plants here and still main
tain the most beautiful city in the
world
Others who spoke briefly were:
w. i. SWantOn. a member of the Citi-
zens Advisory Council and former
president of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association; Fred S Walker,
also a member of the Citizens Advis-
DRY Council and former president of
the Park View Citizens Association,
and DR.. George r. Bowerman,
librarian Of the Washington Public
Library. DIR. Bowerman referred TO
the fact that in 1911 he was present
at the dedication of the Takoma Pub
lib Library where the meeting was
held last night.
Jesse c. Suter introduced the speak
ers of the evening, following a brief
business session, presided over by S.
.NFf k,a aaf.a