Evening star., 1936-09-06
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

AAeSAA ~ Va w 90 AS6uA Ac cSAAAS
Of the citizen organizations. Some
associations resume their activ-
tiles in September, but others do
not get under way till October.
The Federation of Citizens Asso-
ciationss holds its first meeting Of
the season on the first Saturday
in October. At its second meet
ing, the first Saturday in Novem-
ber. there will occur the annual
election of officers.
There is noticeable increased
activity in the District Building.
though the door of one usually
busy Office on the fifth floor is
locked and a notice posted re-
ferring callers to the Public Util-
tiles Commission. The occupants
of this office, Peoples Counsel
Roberts and his faithful secretary,
are on vacation.
The Commissioners have award
ed the contract for the erection
Of the Police Court Building on
Judiciary Square and building
operations will start shortly. The
small margin of difference in the
totals of the several bids is consid-
cred as decidedly complimentary
to the thorough and comprehen-
Sive plans and specifications for
this building, prepared in the Of
fee of the municipal architect.
Hearings of the representatives
OF the civic organizations on the
1888 budget have been announced
by the Commissioners to begin on
Thursday, September 10. While
the Commissioners will hear oral
statements, they will specially ap-
preciate the submission of any
clear statements in writing. Most
Of the organizations are familiar
with this method of procedure
through participation in the con-
ferences on school needs before the
Board of Education.
The most lively news of the week
was the return of Commissioner
George E. Allen from a 7,000-mile
journey and survey of the opera
tion Of the P. w. A. in various
other communities, only to find the
necessity for making a survey in
his own jurisdiction. Some very
definite complaints from the di-
rector of the municipal play
grounds as to some shortcomings
of the w. P. A. aid of that de-
partment at first blush appeared
to set wrong with the Commission
er, who is also the w. P. A. admin
istrator for the District. A prompt
investigation disclosed ground for
some of the complaints, at least.
Allen, like the good scout" he has
always shown himself to be,
promptly acknowledged the fault
and has taken steps to remedy the
difficulty promptly.
Commissioner Allen learned much
on his trip, with which he ex-
poets to increase largely the value
Of the w. P. A. in the District,
and incidentally relieve himself Of
considerable annoyance.
Some unfruitful gambling raids
have been charged to tip-offs by
traitor policemen. The Detective
Bureau is investigating these
charges.
Ellwood Street, director of public
welfare, Is appealing to the civic
leaders to 60 before Congress and
ask for an additional 100000
for relief. This, he claims, is
needed to care for 5000 destitute
families, numbering about 10000
individuals.
The Commissioners Licensing
Committee has reported a licens-
ing plan for the automobile park
ing lots which are now operated
without any municipal regulation
or control. These lots have, in
most instances, replaced buildings
upon which the owners paid real
estate tax on the improvements.
The demolition of these buildings
represents a substantial reduction
in the income of the District gov
eernment.