Evening star., 1938-11-20
By JESSE C. SUTER.

These are busy times for the
civic-minded inmates" of the
voteless and unrepresented Dis
trict of Columbia. 1t would keep
one busy just to catalog the civic
happenings and problems as
mentioned in the local press dur
ing the past week.
There was keen competition be-
tween some of these matters for
first place in the attention of
organized civic Washington. OF
course the big job of first i'm
portance is the putting over of
the Community Chest Campaign
and it appears to be going fairly
well, but there are still many to
be reached and given the oppor-
tunity to do their part. It is also
apparent that there is need for
greater liberality in the giving
if the goal is to be reached. There
is still opportunity for subscribers
to give the matter a second
thought and have their subscrip-
tions increased.
The Budget Bureau continues
to hear the District officials pleas
on the District budget. A little
information, it is not known just
how reliable. leaks out now and
then from these hearings. For
example, it is reported that the
Commissioners are asking for an
appropriation for plans for new
Wilson Teachers College on the
site at Fourteenth and Upshur
streets. The urgency for this new
building at a new location is en-
phasized by the continued settling
of the old Wilson Teachers Col
lege at Eleventh and Harvard
streets NV. A recent inspection
of the old building shows that
cracks in the walls are enlarging
and, while no immediate danger
of collapse is anticipated, there
should be no further delay in re-
placing the structure. Several
years ago an attempt was made to
strengthen the foundations of
the building, but apparently the
relief was only temporary.
Announcement was made on
Thursday that the national air.
port at Washington, on Gravelly
Point is to be the greatest in the
world. On that day the Public
Works Administration, by direc-
ton of the President, made an
allotment of $6,3OO,OOO and the
Works Progress Administration is
completing arrangements for in
creasing the amount to total of
$9,000,0OO.
The long-looked-for parking
meters made their appearance
on the street last week and the
public has been getting acquaint-
ed with them and getting ar
rested because of them. Some
drivers are resentful at the ad-
vent of this device, but for the
most part there appears to be a
friendly interest in this new
member of our traffic control
family. This interest is not con-
hned to motorists, but extends to
the yet uncontrolled pedestrian.
This last-named member of So
ciety continues to be the subject
OF discussion as to just how and
to what extent he shall be con-
trolled. One wag suggests that
all pedestrians over IL years old
be licas'sed and that they be held
responsible for damage to any
cars which collide with them.
The Police Department was
brought under fire during the
week through the suspension of
the departments chief clerk and
property clerk. Auditors are
. checking up the business of his
office to find out if there are
irregularities. A second sensa-
ton involving the department
came out in the criminal pro-
ceedingS against three numbers
operators for income tax frauds.
The Federal agents, in check
ing up to find out the share of
Uncle Sam in the proceeds of
this illegal business, discovered
that deductions were being made
for large amounts paid for police
protection. The Commissioners
will make a thorough investiga-
ton of the matter and some look
for another investigation by con-
gressional committees.
Urge Early Favorable Report
On National Representation.