Evening star., 1936-08-09
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

pUlIltIllSllL ny Vic D1otl4CI
u Commissioners of Elwood
H. Seal as corporation counsel to
succeed e. Barrett Prettyman, who
resigned the office five months ago.
Mr.. Seal, who had been an as
siStant corporation counsel for
about five years, has already as
sumed his new position and an
nounced the continuance in Office
as first assistant of Vernon E.
West. Seal is Virginian and
West is a native Of the District
of Columbia.
1t has been announced that the
first duty of the new corporation
counsel will be to formulate a
tentative legislative program for
submission to the Commissioners.
AS an outcome of the recent
parley regarding the Chain Bridge,
Commissioner Sultan has an
nounced that he will make good
his promise in the appropriations
hearing to build a three-lane
bridge with the $350,000 authorized.
This assurance. together with a
clear explanation of the legis-
lative limitations, seemed to sat-
isfy the groups actively interested
in this project.
There has developed very Strik-
ing difference of opinion regarding
the form of improvements at the
National Training School for
Girls, authorized under the cur
rent District appropriation act.
The cottage plan of new buildings
advocated by Dr. Smith, Superin-
tendent of the institution, Is in
danger of being discarded by the
Commissioners for the dormitory
type of institution. The outcome
cannot be foreseen.
From the Police Department
there comes information that Maj.
Ernest w. Brown is recommend
ing to the Commissioners that pro-
vision be made for some mounted
police to assist in handling traffc.
In the recent visit to Milwaukee
made by the major. the director
of vehicles and traffic and other
officials they we're all much i'm
pressed with the effective use of
policemen on horseback in con-
trolling heavy traffic.
The annual report of the police
chief also recommends the creation
of a new precinct to be formed
out Of portions of the existing Sec
ond and third precincts. This will
require creation of a new cap
taincy and lieutenancy and will
in effect be practical restoration
of the old second precinct. There
has been wide civic organization
demand for the restoration of this
precinct.
Among announcements of in
terest made at the District Building
during the week were that Health
Officer Rutland is starting drive
against diphtheria. the building of
the new Police Court will start
about September l and the new
s4000000 sewage-disposal plant,
now nearing completion, is being
Handicapped.
The washing and polishing of
automobiles in Rock Creek Park
is to be prohibited, according to
an announcement of Secretary
Ickes. 1t is said that this practice
has grown to such an extent that
it has become an eyesore and a
nuisance.
The Capital Transit Co. and
peoples counsel have both filed
briefs with the Public Utilities
Commission in the one-man-car
case. The record of this case now
being completed, including the
briefs, the next step is considera-
tion and action by the commission.
A Legislative Program
For the Seventy fifth Congress.
THE many congressional bills and
joint resolutions, relating to
the District of Columbia, which
expired with the Seventy-fourth
Congress are to be studied by the
new corporation counsel for pos
sible reintroduction when the Sew
enty-fifth Congress convenes.
Commissioner Hazen has in
structed Corporation Counsel Seal
to make this study and formulate
a tentative legislative program.
This will be preliminary to the
calling of a legislative conference
by the Commissioners. To such
conference Commissioner Hazen
proposes to invite representatives
of the principal civic organizations.
This is in harmony with the plan
adopted by the present Board of
Commissioners upon their assum-
ing Office three years ago. Com
missioner Hazen is especially de-
sirous Of having the civic bodies
unite with the Commissioners in
pushing legislative program
which will be generally acceptable.
AS an experienced District Of
fetal, he knows of many instances
where urgently needed legislation
has been denied or long delayed
through lack of community un-
derstanding or a wide divergence
of views. He hopes to avoid many
OF these difficulties through clear
understanding, mutual agreement
and wholehearted teamwork.
Great Need for Improvement
In district TaoieIoxiyn NFnthnI~