Evening star., 1936-04-12

week was CeIlLtIeu CIueAy
around the hearings on the
~ 1887 District appropriation
bill before the Senate Appropri-
ations Subcommittee. Representa-
tives of various civic groups and
neiehborhoods appeared In large
numbers and made earnest pleas
for the inclusion or retention OF
items In which they were par
ticularly interested. Requests for
greater liberality in provision for
schools, public health and hospitals.
increased police protection and an
insistent demand for an increase OF
Federal share Of the expense pre-
dominated.
The District airport bill which
has been in conference for a long
time was reported out and ap-
proved by the Senate. The COM
promise measure provides for a
commission of nine-three Sena-
tors. three Representatives and
three persons to be named by the
President. The commission Is to
select a suitable site for an airport
and report back to Congress. The
bill carries authorization for an
appropriation Of $4,000 to be paid
entirely by the District and avail
able for employment Of expert
advisers to aid the commission.
The question of the repeal of the
"red rider" on the District 1886
appropriation act assumed a con-
spicuous place in civic interest
through the favorable report of the
Sisson bill by the Subcommittee on
Education and approved by the
House District Committee. Upon
being reported to the House. the
bill goes on the calendar and is ex-
pected to be called up on April q.
A heated contest over this bill is
anticipated, with parliamentary
fireworks.
News from the District Building
includes approval by the Public
Utilities Commission Of sale by the
Washington Gas Light Co. Of
S3.OO0.00O in Az per cent bonds.
These were purchased at par by
the Metropolitan Life Insurance
Co. The proceeds will be applied
to the retirement Of the outstand-
ing per cent Indebtedness and to
make capital Improvements TO the
company's plants.
The Public Utilities Commission
also issued its long g-expected order
fixing the maximum loads that
may be carried by the busses. with
the number of standing passengers
limited from to 80, depending
on the size and type of the bus.
A complete schedule giving the
seating capacity and the maximum
loads permitted is included in the
order. The order applies to all
busses operated within the city
with the exception Of the parlor
and de luxe coaches, which have
their maximum loads fixed at the
number of seats. All buses. be-
ginning May /, will be required to
display a placard at their en-
frances giving the number OF seats
and the total maximum load per-
mitted.
Considerable interest has been
displayed In the Inauguration
under the direction Of the En-
gineer Commissioner. Col. Sultan.
of a thorough expert survey of the
elevator regulation code and in
spection system.
There is general rejoicing in local
civic circles over the court deci-
sion holding the numbers game to
come under the lottery law. This
Is reported to be a distinct victory
for United States Attorney Garnett.
There is seen through prosecution
under the lottery law relief of some
of the conditions sought to be cor
rected in the anti-gambling bill.
This bill, passed by the Senate
more than one year ago, has since
reposed in the Judiciary Subcom-
mittee of the House District Com
mittee.