Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-04
CAPITAL FAVORED
BY THIS CONGRESS
Long Session Gave Most I'M
portant LaWs-LargeSt
Fund in Short One.

The Sixty-ninth Congress. which
passed into history today. leaves an
eviable record OF constructive legis-
lation for the District government
and has laid the foundation for a
new and greater National Capital
by launching the long-delayed Fed
eral building program. in addition TO
to authorizing other projects of a
national character in Washington.
While most of the outstanding
local enactments were made In the
first session, which ended last July,
the short session coming to close
today was not without its contri-
buttons to the betterment of the
city, both In legislation and physical
improvements.
The short session gave the District
the largest appropriation blu on
record, carrying $36,2S2,385. a feature
of which was an increase from $o0V.-
| 900 to 100000 in the allotment for
park purchases.
Botanic Gardens Law.
It enacted a law authorizing reloca-
ton of the Botanic Garden in the
area between Maryland avenue,
Canal street, First and Second
streets, so that the existing gardens
may be treated to conform with the
Mall plan.
1t repealed in part the Borland
amendment, under which for more
than a decade property owners have
been assessed half the cost of street
paving. The measure just enacted re-
lieyes owners from assessment for
the replacement of a street after they
have been assessed once.
A number of less important meas
ures We're acted on at both ends of
the Capitol in the closing days of the
short session.
The real work of the Sixty-ninth
Congress, from the standpoint OF
Washington, was done in the long ses-
sion of last year, when leaders of
both Senate and House displayed a
sympathetic interest in the proper de-
velopment of the Capital City and in
the passage of laws to improve its
municipal government.
Outline of Project.
The steps that this Congress took
to develop Washington into Capital
in keeping with the dignity of the Ma
ton it represents have barely begun
to take physical shape. but the follow
ing summary of laws enacted at the
first session furnishes a conception
of the transformation that will take
place within the next few years
Authorization for a fve-year pro-
gram of Federal buildings with limit
of cost of 50,0O0.00O to enable the
Government to get rid of rented quar-
ters and unsightly war structures.
.1,ln fn fpnf OF "a
ton of the plaza lying between Union
Station and the Capitol, which is TO ne
made part of the Capitol grounds.
The appropriation of $500, 900 to COM
plete purchase of the connecting link
between Rock Creek and Potomac
Parlx-ways.
In the field of municipal govern
ment the record of the first session
includes the following important en-
actments:
Mothers Pensions Provided.
A law under which the Board of
Public Welfare is extending financial
aid to worthy mothers in destitute
circumstances to enable them to rear
their children at home.
Creation of new public utilities
commission separate from the Board
Of District Commissioners, which will
The Senate last night confirmed the
new utilities board.
A new substantive law for the free
Public Library, giving definite author
ity for the proper expansion of the
branch library service as appropria-
tions for that purpose are made.
A revised traffic act. comforting on
the director of traffic power to
eliminate unsafe drivers of automo-
biles by suspension and revocation
of permits, and making many other
improvements in the original traffic
law.
Among other laws of interest to
Washington enacted at this session of
the Sixty-ninth Congress were:
Albert GaIlatin Statue.
Joint resolution authorizing selec-I
ton Of a site and erection of pedes.
tai for Albert Gallatin statue in Wash
ington. Gallatin was Secretary of
the Treasury from 1901 to 1914 and
the statue, to be presented by pri
vate association. is to be placed near
the Treasury Building.
Authorization for a new nurses home
for Columbia Hospital to replace ex-
listing cottages, at a cost not to ex-
exceed $400, 900.
Authority for the opening Of q new
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