Evening star., 1935-04-21
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

BY JESSE C. SUTER.
~ PTIMISM in civic circles
during the past week has
J net been increased by Q
study Of the recent re-
port of the Treasury De-
partment on the Districts COM
paratiye tax burden. The general
verdict Is that this incomplete and
inconclusive document contributes
nothing toward an equitable set
tlement of the annually recurring
fiscal controversy over the Federal
share OF the District budget.
Leaders are agreed that the
virtue Of this report, If there be
any virtue, Is to be found In its
Self-confessed inadequacy and gen.
eral unreliability, coupled with the
recommendation that . thorough
and impartial survey be made.
Civic interest in the Districts
exclusive Legislature centers in the
conferences under way over the
fund bill for the next fiscal year.
The bill as passed by the Senate
Is considered so manifestly fair
and to meet so many urgent needs
omitted by the House that civic
leaders continue to hope American
spirit of fair play will prompt the
House to accept the Senate amend
ments and thus permit the Dis
trict to take stride forward.
District measures passed by the
Senate during the week included
the negligent homicide bill, which
now goes to the House; joint reso-
luton authorizing the Commits
sioners to arrange for handling
Of the crowds attending the con-
vention Of the Mystic Shrine in
June, at an estimated cost of
$4,000, and the Copeland bill to
prevent blindness Of infants at
birth.
The small loans bill Is Oh the
Senate calendar and was expected
to be passed last week with other
bills. Objection, however, was
raised on the ground that the
matter was OF too great importance
for consideration on the unani-
nous consent calendar. The bill
in the form pending before the
Senate is generally approved by
District citizens, though some out
side interests are understood to
offer opposition.
Legislation affecting the District
at the House end of the Capitol
was confined to committee activ-
ity. The District committee re-
ported the Senate bill authorizing
the Commissioners to borrow funds
from the P. w. A. for construction
OF the courts buildings on Judi
ciary Square. An important
amendment. suggested by Cor
poration Counsel Prettyman, will
enable the Commissioners to OBJ
tain the money from any other
agency which the President may
set up.
Other matters being considered
by the House committee are pro-
posed amendments to the liquor
law, including the hidden bar or
the open bar; smoke law. and sew
eral others. The House Crime
Committee has its report ready.
IN the rough, and this Is expected
to be reported out shortly.
Proposals to create a local rent
commission and the old question
OF local airport are pending be-
fore both District committees with
suggestion Of joint consideration.
The big news from the District
Building is that, at last, the Com
missioners have receded from their
position and will not, at this time,
insist on their powers being in
creased to the extent Of controlling
the several citizen boards. Their
bill for extended powers is to be re-
drafted with certain other omis-
sions to which the citizens OBJ
jected.
In the civic bodies, abolition of
grade crossings, recreation unifca-
ton. location of an airport, re-
organization of the District gov
ernment and, of course, increased
and improved school facilities
were the leading matters receiving
attaptiov,