Evening star., 1933-02-24

ber of other organizations, wants the
House restriction on the power OF the
Utilities Commission eliminated and
also advocates some kind of liability in
surance for the responsibility of drivers.
Mr. Littlepage quoted at length from
a decision rendered by Justice Adkins
of the District Supreme Court when he
upheld an order issued by the commits
sion some time ago seeking to establish
meter rate system before Congress
placed the restriction In the appropria-
ton bill. Mr.. Littlepage said the de-
cision held the order to be reasonable.
Chairman Patrick Of the commission
said in response to committee questions
that the rates proposed by the commls-
sion were IS cents for the flrst TWO
miles or fraction thereof, and 5 cents
for each additional one-third Of mile
Gen. Patrick said he believed half OF
the cab drivers would prefer the meters.
Mr.. Keech said he believed meters
would reduce the number OF cabs.
svstem Mnen were srery reached yesterday, Chair
man Bingham showed that IN TINS
case, as In the gasoline tax paving
fund. the House had reduced the budget
recommendations, thereby creating a
surplus of money which could not be
used for anv other purpose. Gas TAX
money can be used only for highway
work and water rent collections are
used only for the water system.
Auditor Donovan filed brief pre-
pared by the Civil Service Commission
to show that the new House restrlctlon
on salary promotions in the nllng OF
vacancies in the municipal service woulo
be discriminatory by treating o,ooo
city employees different from all other
Government workers. It was explained
that under this restriction II vacancy
occurred in a s1,620 job and an old
employe in the next lower grade receiv-
ing ST .44O is moved up to NIL the
vacancy he could not be paid the salary
of his new grade. If the vacancy were
given to a new appointee, however, the
higher salary could be paid.
Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant, Sd, explained
cuts made by the House in funds for
the Office of Public Buildings and Parks
and for the National Capital Park ana
| Planning Commission. The current ap-
preparation for general expenses OF the
public parks is s50o,oo0: The Budget
/ Bureau reduced this to S481 800 and the
House MADE a further cut to $406,020.
| The Senate is asked to restore the
s75. 900 eliminated by the House. Sew
eral ether curtailmentS were made In
mark items. Under the heading Of the
Planning Commission, the committee
was advised that the reduction in the
commissions expenses from $36, 300 TO
S35 900 in the House would require a
separation of personnel particularly
fitted for the work being performed.
| The committee was told the present
force must be reduced about 80 per
cent to meet the amount now recon-
mended in the budget and that a
| further reduction would be necessary 70
meet the House figure.
Considering Bridge Fund.
In response to questions, Col. Grant
said the connecting road between Po-
| tomac and Rock Creek Parks is built
! from the Memorial Bridge to K street.
| Under the pending bill this would only
be extended from K street to Pennsyl-
vania avenue. Senators again indicated
| they are considering an appropriation
! for a new bridge at P street, and asked
| Col. Grant to estimate the cost Of COM
pleting the park roadway from Penn
| sylvania avenue to P street II this
bridge is built.
While officials of the Zoo were ex-
| planning the effect Of the House action
in cutting that fund from $210 200 to
| 100000 Chairman Bingham inquired
| whether it would be advisable to place
| a small admission charge on those who
| visit the Zoo Officials pointed out
| that the cost of maintaining the Zoo
| represents very small figure on per
| capita basis for the number Of persons
who visit there. Senator Bingham did
not press the question.
| A delegation of northeast citizens
headed by Hilary F. Winn, asked for
s7,7Oo to prepare for use a playground
site being acquired on part OF the
square between Ninth, Tenth, F and G
streets northeast. Auditor Donovan
said the District could put unemployed
men to work clearing the site OF
buildings.
4 A. H. Gregory made plea for pur-
chase of more playground space in the
northeast. Evan H. Tucker, president
of the Northeast Citizens Association
advocated restoration to the bill OF au-
thority to operate the new incinerators
for dtSroco1 of rifv yafIlge