Evening star., 1937-01-01
SCHOOLS, HEALTH
AND WELFARE BIC
D. c. NEEDS IN 81
King Puts Three Problems
High on List to Be
Dealt With.
CURE OF TRAFFIC ILLS
ALSO WILL BE SOUGHT
Thomas Hopes Lump Sum Question
Will Get Fair Settlement
From Congress.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

BY ]. A. OLEARY.
Looking ahead to the new year,
Chairman King of the Senate District
Committee today placed the needs of
the public school system, health de-
partment and welfare institutions of
Washington high on the list Of local
problems to be dealt with by the in
coming Congress
Solution of traffic problems and pro-
motions of street safety Is another
important subject to which he believes
those who legislate for the National
Capital should give attention during
1887.
At the same time. Senator Elmer
Thomas, Democrat, of Oklahoma, who
presides over the District Subcom-
mittee of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, gave expression to a hope
that 1887 would be marked by fair
settlement Of the question of what
share of the cost of maintaining and
developing the Nations Capital should
be met by the Federal Government.
On this major issue, Senator Thomas
said:
Il hope that during the new year
Congress will succeed in arriving at a
satisfactory solution of the fiscal re-
lationS problem between the Federal
and District governments. The de-
sire of Congress to see the question
settled was shown by its action at
the last session in authorizing the
President to have an indepedent study
made, with a view to recommending
what would be an equitable Federal
share toward the annual expenses
Of the National Capital.
Cites Power of Congress.
I'm seeking the answer it is essen
tial to bear in mind that Congress
possesses complete legislative power
over the District and its people For
that reason the question should be
settled on a basis fair to the tax
payers of the District, as we'll as to
the Federal Government
"As to the detailed municipal needs
Of the city. it has been my policy as
chairman of the subcommittee to be
guided by the recommendations Of
the Commissioners, in so far as that
is possible. 1t cannot be done in all
cases, but, in general, it has been my
feeling that they have the response
bility for running the city and are
in a position to weigh the relative
merits of the different appropriation
items"
A prediction that the Seventy-fifth
Congress will dispose of the long
pending subject of an airport for the
National Capital was included in
Senator Kings new year summary of
District problems. The Airport Com
mission, of which King is chairman,
will report to the House and Senate
soon, and, the chairman added, Il
have no doubt the question will DO
settled"
Traffic Problem Held Acute.
Turning to the subject of traffic
and street safety, Senator King de.
scribed it as lone of the acute ques-
tions needing study, and possibly
some additional legislation"
The Senate District Committee
chairman said he has received many
letters regarding the extent to which
parking on the streets is permitted.
Some Of the writer's. he said, have
urged legislation on the subject. The
Senator also said there may be dis
cussion of limiting the number Of
taxicahs and requiring those obtain
ing licenses to show financial re-
Sponsibility.
"On this question" the Senator
added. Il express no opinion, except
to refer to it as a matter for consid.
Grafton"
He also indicated he has not made
up his mind regarding the bill to
require semi-annual inspection of
motor vehicles, which passed the
House and was pending In the Sem
ate committee when the last Con.
gress ended. This. as well as all
other measures on which action was
not completed. must be reintroduced
and start over again If they are to
be further considered, since this is a
new Congress.
Interested in Schools.
Il am deeply interested in the i'm
provement of the school system"
Senator King continued. There
must be legislation to provide the
buildings and equipment that are
needed and the necessary Fairgrounds
should not be overlooked.
In my opinion, the question of
juvenile delinquency can be solved to
a large extent by providing adequate
Fairgrounds and recreation centers for
children"
Discussing the housing needs of
other District agencies, the committee
chairman mentioned proposals that
have been pending in prior years for
recorder Of deeds building. He also
has received many requests for better
quarters for the Police Department.
II also believe additional quarters
are needed for prisoners at the penal
institutions, and, In this connection.
I think it is important to have facil-
tiles that will make it possible to
segregate young first-offenders from
other prisoners. Provision also
should be made for the treatment Of
inebriates"
Public Health Important.
Taking up the requirements of the
Health Department, King said the
safeguarding of public health is a
question "of paramount importance"
He said steps should be taken to pro-
vide adequate clinics and to enforce
health regulations, adding:
I'VE should UNFOLD the hands Of
Health Oficer Rutland with adequate
appropriations"
The facilities needed by the tuber-
culosis hospitals and by the District
institution for feeble-minded likewise
should be given consideration, King
said.
Senator King still believes, as he
did Q year ago. that there should be .
new codification and revision Of the
laws making up the District Code.