Evening star., 1936-05-17
DUPONT CITIZENS
PLAN F|SCALF|GH
Federal Contribution Boost
Heads Program for
Future Activity.

A fiscal relations program seeking an
Increase in the Federal contribution
TO the District is one of the items which
will engage the attention Of members
of the Dupont Circle Citizens Associa-
tion during the coming year, as out
lined in a statement Of the future pol
icy and purpose of the association.
This statement of policy, an annual re-
port issued by the Executive Commit
tee. headed this year by Col. Edward
G. Bliss, also includes a campaign for
noise abatement and city cleanliness
and recommends a study Of traffic
problems and the liquor question.
The report pointed out that for the
past 10 years there has been no definite
policy of Federal contributions other
than general decrease and tendency
to ignore the organic law. At the same
time Federal property holdings in the
District have steadily increased, there
by decreasing the amount Of property
which can be taxed by the District.
City Boundaries Limited.
Another point brought out was that
IN other cities where municipal and
Federal agencies remove property from
the taxable lists, the lists can be en-
larged by increasing the corporate linn
its Of the city, while in the District
the boundaries are fixed by the Constl-
tuition and cannot be enlarged.
A fear was also expressed that there
would soon be a general tax increase,
not for the benefit of the District par
ticularly, but to make up for decreased
Federal contributions.
Discussing traffic, the report stated
that it was the belief of the Executive
Committee that the number of taxicabs
in the city is unduly high, and that
they complicate traffic and add to its
hazards by cruising through crowded
streets during rush hours. 1t was sug-
eested that their number be gradually
decreased by not issuing any more
permits until they become more equal
lied with the number of passengers.
Another suggestion was that perma- =
nent taxicab stands be erected on con-
venient corners and cruising elm
mated entirely.
One of the most efficient methods
Of reducing traffic hazards would be by
control of parking and wider use OF
mass transportation facilities, the
committee believes.
Some Drivers Not Qualified.
MANY persons are now driving au-
tomobiles who are not qualified to do
So" the report declared. There are
cars on the streets today whose owners
are financially unable to make good
any property damage they may do
Proper tests for prospective drivers
strict enforcement of present trafhc
laws until we get better ones and as
sured financial responsibility for car
owners were recommended by the COM
mittee.
The Dupont Circle Citizens Asso-
citation was one of the leaders in the
successful campaign for smoke abate-
ment legislation, out tnlS Questlon u
still a live one with plenty of room for
Improvement, according to the report.
washington was once known as the
cleanest city in the country, but this
has changed recently"
The committee recommended study
of the liquor question, and asked mem
bers whether or not. in their opinion,
1t would be desirable to stop selling
liouor in stores where men, women and
children may buy with practically no
restraint, and suggested that the elm
ination of home C. o. D. deliveries
might be desirable.
The report also supported the noise
abatement campaign, stating that The
Dupont Circle area is one of the noisi-
est in the city,"