Evening star., 1936-01-09
congress INQUIRY.
Of TEXT BOOKS IN.
SCHOOLS IS URGED
Senate Committee to Pass
on Requests of Two
Groups Next Week.
HOW TO REDUCE TOLL
OF TRAFFIC DISCUSSED
Gradual Elimination of Business
From Zoned Areas Also
Debated.
RY II. A. O'LEARY.

ny GNo OLSdAAADeapAoAAS 40
q congressional inquiry into alleged
communistic text books or other read
ing matter in the public schools was
the high light of the first meeting
of the Senate District Committee to-
day. Chairman King announced a
decision would be reached by his
committee next week.
The demands we're presented by
George E. Sullivan Of the Federation
of Citizens Associations and Gen.
Amos A. Fries of the Public School
Association. After a preliminary dis
cussion of the meaning of the ban
against teaching or advocating COM
munism, placed in the current Dis
trict Appropriation act, Senator King
said the committee would take the
whole question under advisement
early next week. Declaring he was
not seeking prolonged publicity on the
subject, Sullivan suggested an execu-
tive session of the Senate committee,
with all sides to the controversy
present, to get. at the facts.
Senator Capper, Republican, of Kan
sas thought, however, that an execu-
tive meeting might lead to more dis
agreeable publicity" than public
hearing.
Traffic Deaths Discussed.
How to reduce the traffic death toll
in Washington and revision of the
zoning law to eliminate existing busi-
ness places gradually from areas
Eoned residential were other important
questions taken up.
The committee ordered a favorable
report OF a traffic bill to broaden the
authority of District officials in sus-
pending the driving permits of nom
resident operators. 1t approved also
bill to reorganize the steam boiler in
spection service.
On the subject of subversive teach
ing in the schools. Sullivan said the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
which voted last Saturday to ask for
the investigation, did not jump into
the question hastily, but only after
there had been extended controversy
over the meaning of the congressional
ban on communism.
Gen. Fries urged the congressional
investigation because, he said the
groups that agree with his associa-
tion are unable otherwise to accom-
plish anything. Gen. Fries said it is
not so much a question of teaching
communism as of failing to emphasize
patriotism.
Board Independent.
Chairman King at first suggested
an inquiry by the Commissioners, but
Corporation Counsel Prettyman point
ed out the school board is independ-
ent of the Board of Commissioners.
In connection with the traffic prob
lem Senators King and Capper urged
elimination of parking on at east one
side of narrow streets, and Senator
Copeland brought out that the need
for a larger police force is partly to
blame for the number of accidents.
Commissioner HaZen agreed there
Is need for more policemen and advo-
Gated the gradual elimination of park
ing He said, however, that efforts to
abolish parking on downtown business
6GlCCGs ulCCO Will 81 OpPOolI4OA1
that a law requiring it should be
passed.
Several members of the committee
agreed the zoning laws should be
studied carefully with a view to re-
ducing or eliminating the indefinite
use. of conforming commercial
property in residential zones. Nom
inn cfa fI1neo I1r1oiPIo
in zone before or at the time it was
Eoned residential. Under the law they
may remain, provided no structural
alterations are made.
Calvert Street Cited.
The question was brought up by
DR.. S. T. Palmer, who raised the ques-
ton as to whether changes recently
made to non-conforming property
on Calvert street were structural alter
ations. He also pointed out that in
this particular instance application
also has been made for beer and
light wine beverage license at the
place where the changes are being
made. He argued that there are
weaknesses in the coming law and sug-
gested amendments to eliminate
gradually non-conforming stores in
residential neighborhoods by increas-
ing the tax assessments over period
Of years as long as the properties are
used for commercial purposes.
He suggested other amendments to
require applicants for changes from
residential to, commercial zoning to
deposit with their applications fees
based on the taxes assessed against
the property. Senator Capper said he
has had complaints about the number
OF liquor licenses being issued, espe-
cially in residential areas. Commits
sioner Hazen said that when the
liquor regulations were made the Dis
trict Commissioners had opposed the
granting of liquor licenses to non-
conforming commercial establishments
that remain in residential areas be-
cause they were there prior to coming.
The committee considered number
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