Evening star., 1935-01-20
WORK Of CITIZENS
CITED IN HEARINGS
ON BUDGET ITEMS
Many Association Spokes.
men Appear Seeking Ii.
brary, Schools, Bridges.

Activity on the part Of citizens as
sociations to secure desired improve
ments for inclusion In the 1896 Dis
trict budget was shown In the publi-
cation last week Of the hearings before
the subcommittee Of the House Com
mittee on Appropriations.
Bridges, schools and q library were
the principal items sought. Nearly all
associations within the past few
months have either discussed or acted
TO secure inclusion Of local items In
the 1896 budget, with Q few sending
representatives before the Appropria-
tons Committee to argue In favor Of
their needs.
Southeast Bridge Is Urged.
Adelbert W. Lee, president of the
Randle Highlands Citizens Associa-
ton: Vernis Absher, chairman Of the
Bridge Committee Of the Southeast
Council Of Citizens' Associations, rep
resenting II citizens associations In
southeast, Richard B. English, vice
president Of the Southeast Business
Mems Association, and Evan II.
Tucker. president of the Northeast
Citizens Association, were present to
appeal for the $4,000 study item for
the proposed Pennsylvania Avenue
Bridge replacement project.
Mr.. Lee reviewed the progress In
widening the bridge since 1895 and
emphasized the present-day narrow
ness Of the structure by explaining
| the bottle neck effect It has on We
hicular trafic. Residents of the area
at first sought Q stone structure but
because Of the impossibility Of going
down to bedrock, acceded to q sug-
| gestion for q concrete and steel span
to cost less than $1,000, 900.
Mr.. English pointed out they were
not asking Congress for money but
for permission to spend the taxpayers
money.
The funds for the bridge replace
ment project "is our own money and
comes out of our own gas taxes" Eng
lish testified. There are $1,000 people
In zones ~, 20, and so, which consti-
tute what Is known as Southeast
Washington. and there are $2,225, 900
worth of gas taxes, and we pay 16 per
cent Of 1t. All we ask for Is to give
US what Is already ours"
Unfairness Ii CHARGED.
The building Of the Benning Bridge,
the Calvert Street Bridge and other
spans, English stated, Is an example
Of taking the money from taxpayers
Of southeast and spending it in other
sections Of the city.
Mr. Absher declared each of the II
groups in the council has indorsed the
replacement project. He explained no
funds could be expected from Mary
land since the District line was about
one and one-half miles away from the
project.
The proposed replacement Of Chain
Bridge was argued by Clyde S. Bailey,
chairman Of q special committee Of
the Conduit Road Citizens Associ-
| alton. He explained it Is the Oldest
span in the city: It was built in 1874
when Gen. Grant was president.
The ordinary life of steel bridge,
such as Chain Bridge, Is only from
40 to so years." Bailey explained, add
ing that unless some act of God in
tervenes, it will be closed to traffic
entirely"
During the recent heavy rain, Bailey
revealed. the pressure Of water against
the stone piers caused little spouts
Of water between the rocks" as a result
Of the mortar between the stones
being washed away.
| The Washington Board Of Trades
Committe on Bridges was also repre-
sented on this project by George c.
Shinn. chairman, and Dr. Llewellyn
Jordan.
Asks Community Centers.
Evan H Tucker, president Of the
Northeast Citizens Association, was
among those present representing the
Citizens Advisory Council Of the Com
munity Center Department. Mr..
Tucker explained the necessity Of
having smaller community centers
spread throughout the city which may
be easily accessible to children.
The proposed stadium for the
woodrow Wilson High School was
urged by Mrs. Leslie Boudinot Wright,
secretary of the Forest Hills Citizens
Association. Mrs Wright said Of the
Wilson school grounds, I'VE do think
they should have something In there
(the budget) to take care Of the ac-
ttvities, and that the stadium should
be put In now before the building rots
down. and It would be good thing"
The Petworth Citizens Association
was represented in the hearings by
Horace J. Phelps, chairman Of its
Library Committee, in q request for
library on the northwest corner Of
| Georgia avenue and Upehur street.
After pointing out the proposed library
would be In one Of the Districts
largest educational centers, Mr.. Phelps
stated before the committee, that
matter rests right here and not with
/ TIA R11d0nt pTrroan0