Evening star., 1938-09-18
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

BY JESSE G. SUTER.
~ ESUMPTION of civic activi-
- ties is much in evidence In
review Of the last week.
a y A two-day budget hearing
before the District Commissioners
gave opportunity for representa-
tives Of the various civic and busi-
ness groups to suggest general
principles for the framing of the
budget as well as inclusion OF the
numerous items. The appearance
of these spokesmen for organized
civic Washington indicate that they
are once more on the Job and in
general agreement as to funda-
mentals.
Commissioner George E. Alien
marked his return to private life
with the publication in The Star
Of helpful article giving his views
on important municipal needs. He
made clear his belief that the civic
problems of the District Of Colum-
BIZ are to be solved only through
the granting Of the vote to its cit
izens. National representation
that is, voting representation in
both houses Of Congress and the
vote for President and Vice Presi-
dent-he considers the most I'M
portant objective for which District
citizens should strive. Mr.. Allen. as
an adopted son Of the District, is
pleased to continue as q local resi-
dent and to work with the people
for attaining the rights Of citizen
ship which are so essential to the
solving of our problems.
A number Of neighborhood asso-
Citations resumed the monthly
meetings during the week. Many.
Of them considered features Of the
District budget for 1910.
The Presidents Cup Regatta
began yesterday and will continue
until the 25th. The 1899 regatta
promises to be the greatest ever
held here and to lead the Nation
in such events.
The Municipal Center in the
form Of two buildings has been
finally decided upon as approved by
the w. P. A., the Fine Arts Com
mission, the Commissioners of the
District Of Columbia and other
public officials and bodies having
SAY" in the matter. The plan
adopted will not interrupt the
vista of the old Court House Build
ing through John Marshall place,
but John Marshall place between
Indiana avenue and c street will
be closed to traffic. The general
architectural scheme follows some
of the features Of the more elab-
crate group of buildings as orig
inally planned.
The apparent defeat Of Repre-
sentative Vincent Palmisano for
denomination indicates that the
House District COMMITTEE will
have new chairman in the new
Congress. Representative Ambrose
j. Kennedy Of Maryland, ranking
majority member Of the commit
tee, is the logical successor to Mr..
Palmisano, but it is not known
whether he will be willing to take
this Craftsmanship and thus be
compelled to give up the chairman
ship Of the Claims Committee.
Desire to Keep Down
Both Budget and Taxes.
The Commissioners budget hear
ing showed that there was little
difference of opinion among the
civic groups as to the desire to keep
down both the budget and the
taxes.
President Carruthers of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations was
the first to be heard and he in
formed the Commissioners Of the
unanimous action of the Executive
Committee Of the Federation In q
recent meeting. This action was in
the form Of 4 brief resolution that:
We approve budget, the amount
Of which will approximate the an
ticipated income from the present
aggregate taxation yield" A sec
ond motion was adopted stating
that, in taking this action, lit is
expressly understood that 1t car
ries no approval of any specific
rate or form of taxation"
1t was the consensus of the
Executive Committee that the ag-
gregate amount Of the budget
should not exceed that of the ap-
preparations for the current year,
except as more funds might be
available which are earmarked for
specific purposes. The committee
also laid down as a fundamental
principle, as to budgeting and tax
alton. that the Federal Govern
ment should pay an equitable share,
that there should be no dangerous
surplus accumulated to prove en-
barrassing at a later date and that
there should be no increase In the
aggregate of taxation.
Francis G. Addison, jr., and Rob-
ert V. Fleming appeared at the
hearing as representatives Of the
Washington Board Of Trade. While
differing somewhat in its presenta-
ton and going more into the detail
Of amount, it followed In large
measure the attitude Of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations.
Other organizations took a similar
stand.
Another feature of the presenta-
ton of the plea of the Federation
Of Citizens Associations was the
suggestion that 1t favored the re-
moval of the District budget from
the Federal Budget Bureau and
the sending. Of the budget direct to
Congress by the Commissioners.
Commissioner Hazen Immediately
announced: I'VE are all in favor
of that"
District officials are now busily
engaged In q revision Of the esti-
mates which will make up the
A.