Evening star., 1937-03-03
EXTRA lob DATA
AIMED At TAX|S,
COLLINS ASSERTS
D. C. Supply Bill Subcommit.
tee Head Says Object Is
to Cut Number.
REQUEST COVERS ALL
DISTRICT EMPLOYEES
Is Per Cent Reduction in Water
Rates May Be Abandoned
to Build Reserve.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Chairman Collins of the House Sub
committee on Appropriations in charge
of the 1888 District supply bill dis
closed today his only motive in at
tempting to learn how many municipal
employees have outside" jobs is to re-
duce the number of taxicabs in WASH
ington.
Expressing the opinion there are too
many cabs in operation, Collins said
he had been given information pri-
vately that 1000 of the more than
1000 cabs licensed in the District are
being operated by both Federal and
municipal employees after working
hours, thus depriving regular drivers
of an opportunity to make decent
living"
Collins indicated he planned to con-
troll the situation by writing into the
forthcoming appropriation bill pro-
vision which would prevent the Public
Utilities Commission from issuing a
license to any Federal or District en-
ploye to operate cab.
Letters Seek Data.
Circular letters have been sent to all
District department heads asking
them to report the names of persons
under their supervision. together with
the amount and sources Of their in
come. This information will be turned
over to Collins, who insists the only
purpose it will be used is to actually
determine the number of employees
who work for the District by day and
drive cabs at night to augment their
incomes
Similar information was sought by
the subcommittee last year when for
mer Representative Blanton of Texas
was its chairman. The subcommittee
then was interested primarily in the
Judges of the various courts and the
lawyers in the corporation counsels
office who taught law classes at night.
Collins also disclosed the subcom-
mittee is considering a proposal TO
abolish the so-called temporary Is per
cent reduction in water rates which
has been in effect nearly three years
in order to build up reserve in the
water fund sufficient to finance an
auxiliary supply system in the future.
The water rate now for domestic
consumers is s6.56 a year for 10000
cubic feet. The former rate before
the 25 per cent cut was ordered was
s875 for $500 cubic feet.
Eventual Need Seen.
Mai. Daniel ]. Donovan. District
auditor and budget officer. has advised
Collins that in 10 or Is years it proc
ably will become necessary to build
an addition to the present supply sys-
tenn. running in direction entirely
different from the present route from
Great Falls to the Dalecarlia Reser-
voir. A return to the former water
rates. it was estimated, will permit
the Water Department to build up a
reserve of about 100000 a year to
finance such a project when it Is
needed.
The subcommittee completed It's
hearings on the appropriation bill late
Yesterday after hearing representa-
tives of the District militia. the Water
Department and National Geological
Park defend their budget estimates
This afternoon it will give represen-
tatives of various civic and trade or
ganizations an opportunity to outline
urgent needs not provided in the budg-
ct estimates. Representatives OF more
than 40 organizations are scheduled
to testify.
The Federation of Citizens Asso'
Citations has been given the privilege
of leading the civic parade. Its wit
nesses include Thomas E. Lodge. pres
ident. and James G. Yaden, former
president. Other witnesses include
Miss Selma Borchardt of the High
School Teachers Union; Mrs. Ernes
w. Howard of the District Federation
of Women's Clubs; Charles I. Stengle
president of the American Federation
of Government Employees; Dorse!
Hyde, representing several civic or
ganizations in the Georgetown sec
ton; Morris A. Bealle of the Yves
School Parent Teacher Association
George C. Shinn, chairman of TIN
Bridge Committee of the Washington
Board of Trade, and Mrs. Lesli'
Wright, who will represent the Wood
row Wilson High School and tn
Alice Deal Junior High School.
Collins plans to devote at leas
two days to hearing the civic repre-
sentatives and will then begin to mari
up the appropriation bill. which h.
expects to be ready to report to tn
House by March Is. Next week vii
be devoted to a study of the Jacob
fiscal relations plan, on which tn
1888 budget estimates are predicated