Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28

FcQeIdl 6Il6IG UOWhI0 uRACCP VA bAAC
National Capital as one of the OUT
standing steps taken by Congress dur
ing the year drawing to q close, the
House Appropriations Committee will
start to work January 5 on q District
budget for the coming fiscal year, based
on a continuation Of the new 80, SOC, 900
contribution from the Federal Treasury.
Meanwhile, special House committee
is already well along on study of the
fiscal relations problem which grew out
Of the fight between the two Houses
last Summer over the extent to which
the Federal Government should share
in the support of the Nations Capital.
The year 1880 was marked by enact
ment of @ number Of other laws of tn-
terest to the people of Washington and
the army Of Government employees here,
including the following measures:
The Cramton-C apper law for the
comprehensive development Of the park
and playground system, both within the
CAPITAL City and the Maryland and
Virginia environs.
Private Structure Design Restricted.
The Shipstead law to protect the
architecture OF public Improvements by
| authorizing the Commission of Fine Al
to pass on the exterior design of private
structures to be erected adjacent to the
more important Federal reservations
and other Government-co areas
The new, civil service retirement plan.
providing for increased annuities under
a new system by which the annuities
| In future years will bear q closer rela-
ton to the salaries drawn by employees
prior to retirement.
The law granting additional pay in
| creaseS TO large number of Govern
ment employees to correct INEQUALITIES
which were found to exist as a result
OF the Interpretation of the salary in
crease act Of 1928.
Congress enters upon the new year
next week with number of other i'm
portant pieces OF proposed legislation
Ior the District awaiting action either
on the House and Senate calendars or
in committee.
Salary Increase Bill Interests.
Local interest centers first on the
question OF what decision Congress viii
come to on the $4,250,0OO recommended
ton by the President and Budget Blu
reau as the first years quota In a
tnree-year program of bringing all
under-averaged salaries up to the aver
age Ior similar work throughout the
salary increase items will be scattered
through all Of the departmental APP
preparation bills, the policy to be fol-
lowed Is expected to be determined in
the f1rSt supply bill, the Treasury-Post
ONCE measure. This bill came from
the conferees shortly before Christmas
In such form that lapsed balances of
appropriations could be used to grant
some increases, but with the additional
allowance recommended by the budget
Tor beginning systematic program of
raising under-average grades elini-
mated. The Senate, however, rejected
the conference report, which means the
Dill VIII have TO 60 back to conference
when the session is resumed. One re-
suit OF the new conference may be to
force vote In the House directly upon
the question OF starting the three-year
program at this time.
The budget recommendation totaIing
| $47,796,047 for the District of Column
bia for the fiscal year beginning July
next are to come up for considera-
| ton before the subcommittee of the
House Appropriations Committee on
January 5, when hearings are to start
before the Simmons subcommittee with
the District Commissioners as the first
witnesses.
New Budget Is Largest.
While the total is 1901 1886 less than
the amout appropriated for the current
year, the new budget in reality is the
largest ever transmitted, because Of a
provision reserving $l,500,000 for be-
| ginning work on the new municipal
center group as soon as the plans have
been drafted and approved for the en-
tire group project.
The Senate District Committee has
already acted on several matters since
the present session opened a month
/ including q founPn hla o
! substitute bill to authorize a reduced
rate of fare for school children on street
| cars and buses. The House passed q
bill early in 1880 fixing the school fare
definitely at two cents. The Senate
Committee has rewritten the House
measure to authorize the Public Utilities
Commission to determine what the re-
| duced rate should be, with a proviSo
that it shall not exceed one-hah the
adult fare. Chairman Capper has re-
ported the revised bill and If the Senate
passes it, the measure will be finally
worked out in conference between the
two houses.
Condemnation Law Reported.
The Senate Committee also has voted
favorable report on an amendment
to the Federal condemnation law rec
commended by Attorney General Nit
chell which he claimed would expedite
acquisition of sites for several public
improvements soon to be undertaken
in Washington. The amendment is in
tended to speed up acquisition of sites
state Commerce buildings in that Sec
ton Of the triangle lying west of twelfth
street; the site for an additional build
ing for the Department of Agriculture
and the site for relocation of the Bo-
tan1c Garden. The new condemnation
law enables the Government to obtain
immediate possession of proposed site
by paying the estimated fair value in
advance Of the condemnation proceed
ings, and paying any additional amount
found by the jury at the conclusion
Of the proceedings. The attorney general
explained that the amendment is need
ed to let the Government obtain i'm
mediate possession of sites in cases
where the preliminary condemnation
work had been started prior to the
enactment of the new law.
Blaine Group Plans Three Bills.
Shortly after the reconvening, Of
Congress December /, the Blaine sub
committee of the Senate District Com
mittee resumed its inquiry into the
real estate and security business. This
subcommittee has three proposed laws
in mind. One the bill to regulate and
license real estate brokers and sales
men, passed the Senate early. this year
and Is awaiting House action. The
subcommittee has not acted on the
other two billS-one TO control the
issuance and sale Of securities and
another to define q method Of fore
closing mortgages in Washington.
As the year was drawing to close,
Chairman Capper Of the Senate Dis
trict Committee introduced resolution