Evening star., 1933-07-30
KING PLANS STUDY
AS TO USE Of D. c.
SURPLUS FOR Jobs
Would Determine if Budget
Bureau Should Authorize
Projects Now.
FART OF FUNDS MEANT
TO CONSTRUCT BRIDGE
Difference Of Opinions on Calvert
Street Span Leaves Next Move
to Commissioners.

Chairman King of the Senate District
Committee announced yesterday he
would soon begin a study OF the ques-
tion weather the Budget Bureau should
allow the District to use at this time
the gasoline tax and water fund sur
pluses which the 1884 appropriation act
provides for employment-givl prof.
ects, subject to the budget directors ap-
prevail
The appropriation act in this pro-
vision authorized expenditure OF ST.
100000 of the gas tax surplus and
$685. 900 of Water Department surplus
funds. OF the gas tax surplus. the ap-
preparation act ear-marked $575. .0O0 1or
making a start on the new Calvert
Street Bridge, leaving nearly million
dollars for other highway improve
ments If permission to use the fund
can be obtained from the budget ON
Gals
The decision of the Fine Arts Com
mission favoring a multiple arch struc-
ture of masonry for the Calvert Street
thorough accord, leaves the question OF
the next step to be taken by the Dis
tfict Commissioners. Engineer Commls-
sioner Gotwals, who opposed masonry
bridge in favor of a steel span, will
confer with DIR. Luther H. Reichelder-
fer. president of the board, probably
tomorrow regarding steps to be taken IN
the matter.
Backs Bridge Project.
Senator King last week. urged budget
officials to make available funds for
starting the Calvert Street Bridge, but
- or Tod yiauYNnint regard =
ing current expenditure Of the remain
der of the gas tax surplus or OF the
water fund surplus. Without indicating
what his final conclusions might be, the
Senator said yesterday he intends to
give careful thought to the question of
the advisability of using the balance OF
these surplus funds. The Senator
pointed out he has been devoting con-
siderable time recently to consideration
of the Calvert Street Bridge project,
and expressed qualification over the
action of the Fine Arts Commission IN
deciding the bridge should be null
tiple-arch masonry structure instead OF
a. single-arch steel span. This decision
conceded with the view previously
taken by Senator King. He reiterated
Yesterday his confidence that funds to
start the bridge will be made available
as soon as final plans are ready In
accordance with the new decision on
design.
The Commissioners on July Is sent
to the Budget Bureau second appeal
for authority to use the 81 SOC, 900 OF
gas tax surplus on various street and
highway improvements and on July 81
they sent forward an application for
authority to use $50l ,275 of the $685.
900 water fund surplus referred to in
&hn ioti a.
tions are pending before the budget di-
rector for decision. Several weeks
earlier the city heads had made the
original request for use of the gas tax
money. The budget director subse-
quently indicated he wanted to wait
until it is determined how much will
be allotted the District for public works
under the industrial recovery program
before passing on the District surplus
funds
Represents Local Tax Money.
y Both the gas tax and water fund
4urpluses represent local tax money,
(which do not affect Federal finances,
jsince they are separate funds and can
! only be used for highway and water
department needs. The water fund
money, If made available, would make
spossible the Unemployment of 466
Water Department workers, and the gas
stax program also would create en-
iployment.
I With respect to his meeting with Dr.
Reichelderfer to- discuss the Calvert
Istreet bridge plans, Maj. Gotwals in
1dicated yesterday his opinion in favor
}of the steel span designed by Modjeski,
Masters g. Chase, Philadelphia firm,
was unchanged, despite the action of
the Fine Arts Commission.
/, Reichelderfer Defers Comment.
DR.. Reichelderfer declined to COM
tment on the matter of the design, ex-
!4ept to say that as yet he had not had
G&n opportunity to consult with Maj.
sGotwals since the joint meeting of the
Zine Arts Commission and the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Doubtless Will Bring Delay.
From all indications at the District
Building, the setback received by Maj.
Gotwals will result in some delay in
progress of plans for the building of the
new bridge, since the Fine Arts Com
mission, specifically directed by Con-
RreSs to pass upon the plans, has re-
jected the single-arch type.
II the Commissioners elect to accept
the decision by the Fine Arts Com
mission without making a further ef-
fort to convince that agency of rea-
sons for a singles1rch span, considerable
time would have to be allowed for the
preparation Of plans and specifications
for new type of structure, according
to information at the District Building
Even If the Commissioners decided to
accept plans as drawn in 1917 by Mai.
George Oakley Totten, jr.. Washington
architect, it Is said, at least some time
would be required for preparation of
details in keeping with specifications
set by the District.
Budget Directors o. X. Necessary.
Furthermore, the entire project still
Is contingent upon approval by Direc..
tor Lewis w. Douglas Of the Bureau Of
the Budget of the use of $575,00o to
start construction of the bridge out Of
the Districts gasoline tax surplus fund.
The only comment DR.. Reichelderfer
had to make until he has reviewed the
matter with the Engineer Commissioner
was that the principal concern OF the
District was the replacement OF the
old structure.