Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-05
MANY ACTS PASSED
BY LAST. CONGRESS
WILL IMPROVE CITY
BUILDING Program and Park
Development Given Aid
Under New Laws.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
ALSO RECEIVE BENEFITS
Free Text Books, Higher Police
Pay and Added Judges Among
Legislation.


The long session of Congress now
passed into history, placed on the
statute books many laws for the Dis
trict Government, for the physical i'm
provement of the city as the Nations
Capital and for the welfare of the en-
Eloyes, who keep the wheels of the
Federal Government turning here.
From a local standpoint the passage
OF the S45, 78l 900 District appropria-
ton bill in the closing hours was the
stirring climax in the legislative Grama,
put 1t had been preceded by a num-
per OF other enactments, which will
have marked effect on the life and
development of the National Capital.
Here are some of the outstanding meas
ures that went through prior to the
District appropriation bill:
Outstanding Measures.
An authorization for a Sl15.OGO coo
increase in the Federal building pro
gram here, to be expended over a period
OF years along with previous authorize
tons.
The Cramton- Capper mark deveIon-
ment law, authorizing a loan of SIG
100000 to the District for parks within
the city and extension of other parks
INTO nearby Maryland and Virginia. in
Guiding preservation of the natural
beauties OF the banks of the Potomac
from Mount Vernon to Great Falls.
The Shipstead law to protect the
architecture of public buildings by en-
aiding the Fine Arts Commission to
pass on the exterior design of private
structures to be erected adjacent to the
more important Federal reservations.
The enabling act for the proposed
United States Supreme Court Building
which soon will rise on the north side
of the Library of Congress on First
street between East Capitol street and
Maryland avenues.
Market Closing Authorized.
A law to provide for the closing of
Center Market not later than January
l next to make way for one of the new
public buildings. The resolution was
so worded that if the Federal Govern
ment is ready to proceed sooner the
market could be closed in November
or December by giving 60 days notice
any time after September l.
From a local standpoint the more
important laws enacted include the fol-
lowing:
Authorizing free text books for chill
dren In the senior and junior high
schools, as previously provided for in
the grade schools.
The law authorizing pay increases in
the Police and Fire Departments.
An act increasing the authorization
for the proposed children's tuberculosis
sanatorium from 100000 to S625, 900.
The new District appropriation act con-
tains $4,000 toward purchase of land
and preparation of plans for the insti-
tuition.
Voted Employees Aid.
An authorization for four additional
judges to relieve court congestion here
two in the District Supreme Court and
two for the Court of Appeals.
The two outstanding pieces of legis-
lation, which came out of this session
of Congress for Federal employees were:
The new civil service retirement law,
setting up an entirely new plan of re-
tirement with increased annuities, and
the law just signed by the President
giving additional pay increases to large
number Of employees to correct Unequal
tiles resulting from the operation of the
WEIGH act of 1928.
Other bills of interest to Washington
which became law during the session
were:
An authorization for a $6,500,000 an
mex to the Library of Congress or land
heretofore authorized to be purchased
east of the Library Building and near
the separate structure now being erected
to house the Folger collection of
Shakespeariana.
Authority to build a $4,000 900 addi-
ton to the Washington City Post ONCE.
VIII Extend Observatory.
An authorization of $225, 900 for ex-
tension and improvement of the United
States Naval Observatory.
A law increasing and reorganizing
the White House police force.
Two laws authorizing the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission
TO make exchanges of land in the
Klingle Valley section in the Northwest
and near the Turkey Thicket Recrea-
ton Center in the Northeast, for other
nearby parcels of land in connection
with the park extension program.
An act to authorize fraternal and
benevolent corporations heretofore Gre
ated by act of Congress to separate in
surance activities from fraternal ac-
tivities.
An act authorizing the District Com
nnissioners to make arrangements with
the authorities of nearby Maryland
and Virginia to permit these adjacent
counties TO use the proposed new in
Generators to be built by the District
for disposal of combustible refuse.
Can Settle Small Claims.
An act giving the Commissioners sd-
ditional authority in settling small
claims against the municipality.
An act turning over to the directors
of public buildings and public parks
the old Sixteenth Street Reservoir, no
longer needed by the Water Depart
ment. The law gives the Water De-
partment credit for s20,729 from the
general revenues of the District, since
the reservoir site originally was bought
out of Water Department funds.
Several measures we're enacted giving
the Commissioners authority TO close
streets in certain instances.