Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-08

do We take pride In the numerous OBJ
solete buildings, crowded and unsafe,
which should have been abandoned
years ago.
AT this session Congress should make
provision for completion of the five
year school building program. This
will give every Washington child seat
and full-time instruction in new, mod
ern, sanitary school houses.
Il believe Congress soon will enact into
law the bill providing free text books
and educational supplies for pupils of
the senior and junior high schools. This
legislation is needed TO lift an unjust
burden of expense from parents.
The passage of the bill for an cleo
tive Board Of Education would advance
school progress in Washington conSid-
erably, / believe. Certainly the PEG
pie of Washington are capable of Sc
lecting the men and women best fitted
to administer the affairs of the schools.
Projects for Cripples Praised.
Just word about very commend
able project in the schools. l refer
to the special classes for crippled chill
dren in the Weightman and Magruder
Schools. Considerable praise is due the
Kiwanis Club of Washington for pro-
noting this splendid work. School
classes are maintained at q high stand
ard, with all necessary equipment for
this special purpose.
Regarding the schools and the Dis
trict generally, one of the most en-
cOuraging signs is the change of policy
on the part OF the Bureau of the Bud
get in sending TO Congress a total
amount more nearly commensurate to
local needs than was the practice in
the past
The 1891 budget. amounting to al
most $4,000, 900. is The largest in the
history of the District. 1 am sure that
every WaShingtonian will rejoice in the
recommendation that $2,710.O0O be eX-
pended for the construction of new
schools, to do away with portableS, and
$300,700 for sites
The budget also provides a generous
appropriation for additional medical
and dental assistance in the schools.
It is good to note that the school au-
thorities have at heart the physical
well-being of the children, and are
advancing their health program SO
successfully.
we see, also. that the budget makes
provision for the elimination of two
great menaces to public safety. These
are the grade crossings at Chestnut
street and at Michigan avenue. Con-
greSS should not fail to carry out the
wishes of the District In this matter.
Furthermore, I would like to see Con-
gress provide at this session for the
removal of the two other grade cross
lngS i'll the District, located at Bates
road and at QuarleS street. These
death traps imperil lives. They should
DE done away with. either by viaducts
or underpasseS, without delay.
Commercial Fraud.
Now. let us look into another vital
phase Of the legislative situation. This
concerns public protection of a differ
ent nature. 1t is the combat against
commercial fraud and business trick
cry present and potential
Our subcommittee on insurance and
banks, headed by Senator Blaine, has
before it number of bills designed to
safeguard the public against IMPOSE
tons upon its faith.
Among these Is a measure to repll-
late the sale Of securities in the Dis
trict. This is the so-called "blue-sky''
bill. '
When We read the statement bv the
Better Business Bureau of Washington
mat stock swindlers secure $1,000 900
from this city every year, the need for
such law Is readily seen All good
citizens must fight this appalling di-
version of the peoples money from
legitimate business into Illicit channels
from which investors cannot hone r.
reap a cent of return
There is also before the subcon-
mlttee bill to govern the real estate
business here. Experience has shown
that we need law Of this nature.
Bill Provides Insurance Code.
Another bill would provide an In
Surance code for the District. This &c
expected to place the insurance business
on high ethical plane, and to keen
out OF the city undesirable comnani
and individuals. Still another bill nro.
notes the protection of persons holding
industrial insurance policies.
These bills are deeply In the nublir
| interest, and I hope favorable action
| Will be had on them at this session
| No city Is truly clean unless its business
! Is clean. 1t Is our duty to stamp oIt
swlndlers and outlaw unethical com
mercial practices in Washington.
Transportation This is one of ou
most difficult problems. With a con.
stantly increasing population in a more
slowly expanding area, the Situation
has become acute. The District Should
have better street car and bus service
| This should be accomplished without
| increase Of fare, under the economic,
possible by unified, merged management
OF the traction companies.
The Public Utilities Commission ma,
! suggest an answer to the merger oups.
ton, In order that Congress NAV take
definite action soon.
The steady increase in automotivt