Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-08
SIMMONS DEBATES
CONGRESS ACTIONS
Three Citizens Engage in
Clash With Him at Meet
ing of Association.

Three champions of the District en-
gagged in debate last night with Rep
resentative Robert G. Simmons, chair
| man Of the House subcommittee on
District appropriations, after Mr.. Sim
mons addressed a meeting Of the Six
tenth Street Highlands Citizens As
ISOLATION.
In his address Mr. Simmons attacked
the Board of Education and the House
of Detention, and criticized the resi-
his remarks, he asked If there were
any questions.
Snyder Opens Battle.
United States Marshal Edgar L. Sny-
der, a member of the association, was
the first to pick up the gage of battle
Why" Mr.. Snyder asked, isn't Con-
gresS fair enough to appropriate for
the use OF the District more than
To this query Mr.. Simmons offered
the reply: Probably, Mr.. Snyder. be-
cause Congress is too generous. If they
paid only wMB& the District is entitled
to the figure would be somewhere be-
tween 100000 and 100000. base
this figure on the revenue that would
be derived from taxes on Federal prop
erty here"
Harry N. stull of the Federation of
Citizens Associations next asked Mr..
Simmons: why is the operating cost
Of the National Geological Park charged
to the District"
"Why do you call It the National
Geological Fark?" Mr.. Simmons parted.
"StrictIy Municipal Zoo"
81 understand that is the name," Mr..
Stull countered.
perhaps it is" retorted the Congress
man, but what's in a name? Why
don't you call 1t the International Zoo
and charge its operating cost to the
League of Nations? It Is strictly mu-
nicipal ZOO and the best investment the
city has"
Then Henry I. Quinn, also Of the
Federation, took UP the cause.
Washington is called the Nations
Capital" he pointed out. If this Is
true, why shouldn't the Nation support
it?"
"That is Just another subterfuge,"
Mr.. Simmons answered. ut may be the
Nations Capital in name, but in fact 1t
belongs to the people of Washington"
Don't you think, Mr.. Simmons"
Quinn asked, that these disputes could
be ironed out if the people of Washing
ton had some form Of representation In
Congress?"
IT doubt it," was his answer. "In my
opinion, the mental attitude OF the
people of Washington will have to
change before their complaints will
cease"
Attacks Educators Particularly.
Mr.. Quinn replied that all of the peo-
pie were not mere faultflnders: PER
f1aps not" Mr.. Simmons declared, "but
they certainly are most vociferous
minority"
In his opening remarks Mr.. Simmons
attacked particularly the Board Of Edu-
cation. I'm my opinion" he said, the
board either should be elected or abol-
ished. I prophesy that the present
board wouldn't stand through one cleo
ton, and have told the members this
to their faces"
Censuring the board for requesting as
sembly- Mr.. Simmons said:
my committee has made up its mind
to build class rooms until the classroom
situation is met, nc matter what the
Board Of Education may recommend.
I'VE are interested in watching your
reaction. You have damned and con-
demned us for years; now We'll see
whether there is any change"
Mr.. Simmons cited figures which he
said proved that school officials had
been given more than they asked for.
He charged the House of Detention
with being the most extravagant minor
branch of the District Government. at
costs them So to SO per day an inmate,
he said, while at the Receiving Home
the cost is but So or 81 day. Over
head costs at the Detention Home can
not explain this difference"
The people Of Washington probably
can have the increased police pay bill
| If they want it, Mr.. Simmons said, but
they must be prepared for an increased
! tax rate If it is passed.
The association went on record a:
! indorsing the Cramton bill to preserve
the Potomac River Valley for park pur'
poses.