davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Commissioners Approve
Shorter legislative Program.

The 30-item legislative program
expected to have the support OF
the District Commissioners has
been cut in half in a tentative
program approved at the confer
ence with the corporation counsel
on Monday. There are number
of other matters which have been
laid aside for further study or
report by the department heads.
The new tentative list is as fol-
lows:
l. Create an independent Dis
trict civil service, giving the pref
erence in appointments to Dis
trict residents.
2. Authorizing the Public Utili-
ties Commission to limit the num-
ber of taxicabs.
3. Place the chief clerk and
property clerk of the Police De-
partment under the major and
superintendent.
4. Regulation of wrestling
matches to be put under District
Boxing Commission.
S. Increase local appointments
to Naval Academy from 8 to Is
and to Military Academy from
5to9.
6. Decrease real estate broker
license fee from $50 to $25.
7. Include under plumbing reg
ulations installation and service
ing Of refrigerating and air-con-
ditioning equipment.
8. Giving Commissioners au-
thority to change the names Of
streets.
9. Make Office of vehicles and
traffic Office of record for auto
mobile liens.
10. Give Commissioners discre-
ton to fix the hours when street
lights may be turned on.
II. Authorize the school board
to accept voluntary assistance of
citizens.
II. Give Commissioners power
to condemn land for widening
Wisconsin avenue between r and
Thirty seventh streets NV.
13. Clarity present laws affect
ing school teachers salaries.
IA. Authority to heat new mu-
nicipal center buildings by the
Federal heating plant.
The Commissioners also in
structed the corporation counsel
to study the possibility of a bill
to exempt professional child
actors and entertainers from the
local child labor laws.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Oldest Inhubitunts
Change Meeting

Because this months regular
meeting night occurs on the same
date as the 73d anniversary banquet
meeting, the Association Of Oldest
Inhabitants will meet tomorrow at
7:30 pm. in the Old Union Engine
House, Nineteenth and H streets
NV, Election of officers will be
held at this meeting.
The annual banquet will be held
In the Raleigh Hotel Wednesday.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
D. A. R. Will Present
Floq to Association

Miss Lillian Chenoweth, State re-
gent; Mrs. Harry c. Oberholser, vice
State regent, and Mrs. William D.
Leetch, chairman of the Flag Com
mittee of the Daughters of American
Revolution, will present the Connec-
ticut Avenue Citizens Association
with an American flag at a meeting
Of the group Thursday at 8 pm. in
AL Souls Memorial Church.
A musical program has been ar
ranged by Mrs. William M. Carrigan,
soloist. 1t was announced yesterday
by the president, Harry Grove.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
YuIe Spirit and q Worthy Cause;
The D. 6. Tuxution Problem

cent of the 81, ,127 900 required has
been raised in cash or pledged.
Therefore the financial effort for
the Chest continues as the un-
finished civic business.
Washington's fine record during
the World War for raising funds
for the various activities and the
sale of Liberty Bonds put the
community in an enviable posi-
ton as compared with other COM
munities and this record should
be maintained. Every dollar which
makes up the Community Chest
budget for 1899 is absolutely
needed. To fall short of the
amount, which is the minimum,
will mean that there will be suf-
fering and privation and that
many enterprises of great value
to the community will be crippled
and sadly curtailed in their &C
tivities.
Returns from the hard, persist
ent work of the public-spirited
canvass Frs indicate that many of
our citizens have not joined with
their fellows in contributing to
the Chest. Then there are many
who have made simply a small
cash contribution who could have
readily pledged an amount sew
eral times larger. to be paid in
monthly or quarterly INSTALL
ments.
The money is required through
out the year and contributions
are acceptable on the deferred
payment plan. Some of the con-
tributors of small or moderate
amounts have overlooked the l2-
month need aspect of this civic
problem and have satisfied their
conscience with immediate small
payments of cash and dismissed
the matter from their minds.
Others have underestimated their
ability to give and also under
estimated the absolute need for
raising all of the money asked.
Many of the workers for the
Chest are continuing to carry on
in the hope of finally reaching
the goal. They can succeed if
those who have been overlooked
will contribute literally. or those
who, on second thought, will re-
consider and increase their sub
scriptions. This job belongs to
every one; we can't "let George
do it."
Evening star., 1938-12-04

and is imposed on the poor citi-
zen with his old secondhand car
and at the same rate as that
paid by the owner of the most
expensive cars made.
One of the reasons for the tax
payers falling to turn out at the
recent hearing is said to be due
to the fact that 1t was only a
skirmish-the real fights will be
before the committees on the
District Of Columbia of the
House and Senate.
There is general civic agree
ment that the first thing to be
done in setting up the tax struc-
ture for the District of Columbia
is the fixing of a definite rate to
govern the share to be born by
the Federal Government. That
this should be fixed percentage is
the belief of those who have
given the matter the closest
study. Each time the matter has
been given a thorough study and
after exhaustive hearings by a
joint committee of Congress the
definite fixed proportion plan has
been approved. In 1878 this rate
was fixed at $3.50, and in 1922
revised to 60 per cent by the
District and 40 per cent by the
Federal Government.
A definite fixed proportionate
plan is the only one which will
afford the silent partner in this
governmental partnership the
protection he requires from the
all powerful and exclusively con-
trolling partner. There is no
other way to end the annual
ly recurring controversy save
through the recognition of that
sound solution of the fiscal prob
lem. The best minds Of organ
lied civic Washington have stood
for years on such platform and
continue to hold that position.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
WEEKLY REVIEW.

WEEKLY REVIEW.
Review of the civic week from
Thursday, November "a, through
Wednesday, November 30.
BURROUGHS-Fav limited
form of pedestrian control at inter-
sections controlled by policemen or
walk" lights.
GEORGETOWN-Proposed rails
ing Federal appropriation for Dis
trict to sum at least equal to what
Federal Government would have to
pay if its District property were tax
able; announced that Traffic Di-
rector William A. Van Duzer would
discuss pedestrian control at next
meeting of group; all officers re-
elected.
SOCIETY OF NATIvEs-Heard
DR.. Arthur Deerin Call, secretary of
American Peace Society, who told
society that development of justice
through law, rather than by war,
as a means of settling disputes, was
the deferred, but inevitable phase
Of the Munich agreement; voted to
hold December meeting third Mon
day instead of fourth Monday.
TRINIDAD-Opposed any law or
regulation restricting number of
taxicabs in District; reaffirmed
stand requesting that automobiles be
permitted to park within 20 feet of
intersection, also asked enforcement
of existing laws prohibiting double
parking. citing commercial vehicles
in particular.
MID-CITY-Indorsed plan of
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen,
guest speaker, to construct new No.
2 police precinct and remodel pres
ent Woman's Bureau: asked imme-
diate appointment of peoples coun-
sci for District.
NORTH CAPITOI-Agreed to CO.
operate with plans to prevent
crashing" of athletic games after
hearing remarks to this effect by
William P. Thompson, head foot
ball coach at the school; elected Off
GERS, headed by E. B. Lawless, presi-
dent.
SOUTHEAST-Urged recurbing,
landscaping and general recondition-
ing of Pennsylvania avenue park
way from Second to Seventeenth
streets S. E.: reiterated its request
that new Pennsylvania Avenue
Bridge be named in honor of John
Philip Sousa: also favored Sousa
memorial near the bridge; voted to
hold future meetings in Buchanan
School, including December meeting,
despite Christmas holidays.
CONDUIT ROAD-Proposed that
Board of Zoning Adjustment be en-
powered to regulate types and values
of homes; arrangements made for
Christmas Eve party to be held in
Palisades Park Field House.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
A Convenient and Easy Way
To Help Fight the White Plaque

Purchase and use of the Tuber-
culosis Christmas Seals affords a
convenient and easy way to give
practical aid in the solution of
the tuberculosis problem. Most
people use seals of one kind or
another at Christmas time on
their letters, Christmas cards and
gifts. While many of such seals
are very pretty they lack the sig
niflcance of the tuberculosis
Seals because they carry no evi-
dence of helping in a worthy
cause.
The sale of these little seals
finances the X-ray examinations
for high school students, re-
Mobilization service for recovering
patients, the summer camp for
tubercular children at Bald Eagle,
free motion picture health lec-
lures and free health literature,
work for needed legislation and
medical research. Any of these
services are liable to be required
by any of us or our loved ones.
The protection against the spread
and for the eradication of this
dread disease is a service to every
member of the community and is
therefore of vital interest to
every one.
The District tuberculosis AS
sociation performs valuable pub
lie service and is deserving of the
heartiest and most liberal sup
port. The Christmas seals are the
size Of a postage stamp and come
in perforated sheets of 100. They
may be procured by writing the
association at 1922 Eleventh street
NV. or of the public-spirited
ladies who are selling them in the
department stores, banks and
elsewhere.
The association asks that YOU
get your supply of seals at once
and begin using them Immediate
ly in order to encourage others to
do likewise. Get a sheet of seals
today-it is buying insurance at
small cost.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Birch Boyh to Speak

Birch Bayh, director of health and
physical education in divisions / to
9 of the District public schools,
will speak on football in Washing
ton schools at meeting of the
Randle Highlands Citizens Associa-
ton at pm. Tuesday in the Orr
School, Adelbert w. Lee, president,
announced yesterday.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
1889 Community Chest Drive
An Unfinished Civic Job.

The solution Of so many local
civic and social problems are
wrapped up in the success Of the
Community Chest campaign that
1t is considered by leaders as
nothing short of a calamity to
fail to reach the goal. The pre-
liminary audit Of the campaign
Just closed shows that only IS per
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Libruriun to Speak

Elizabeth S. Duvall, readers ad-
wiser Of the Mount Pleasant Branch
Public Library, will address a meet
ing of the Mount Pleasant Citizens
Association Saturday at 8 pm. in
the branch library. Her subject
will be the new acquisitions obtained
for patrons Of this particular branch.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Local Taxation Problem
And the Recent Hearinr

Thefe is the widest difference
OF opinion in civic circles as to
the value of the recent taxation
hearing before the Commission
ers' Advisory Committee on Tax
Study and of its tentative pro-
gram. Surprise was expressed
that there was not a much larger
attendance and a greater interest
shown.
Complaint was heard among
the citizens of the meager in
formation furnished by the Ad-
visory Committee and the short
time allowed between the SUBJ
mission Of its tentative outline
and the time of the hearing.
The Federation of Citizens AS
sociations, through its spokes-
man, frankly stated that it was
unprepared because of such con-
ditions. AS it was, the Fedora
ton was prepared only to ap-
prove the proposal for the pay
ment by the Federal Government
Of a larger and more equitable
amount and to recommend that
the maximum tax rate on real
estate be fixed by statute at SITS
per 500 of assessed value.
As this is written it is UNDER
stood the Federation at its meet
ing last night devoted consider
able time to q consideration of
the question of the proposed
seven-year tax program. The
Federation Executive Committee
and its Committee on Fiscal Re-
lations had been unable to reach
a satisfactory agreement at a
four-hour session on the previous
Saturday night.
Some observers have noted
that the question of erecting a
tax structure for the District has
been approached by many along
lines which would be perfectly
logical and practical in the gen.
eral run of communities where
the problems peculiar to the Dis
trict do not exist. Here the
problem is an entirely different
one, with conditions and not
theories which must be faced.
In most places a graduated in
come tax would be a fair method
OF applying the tax burden ac-
cording to the theory of ability
to pay. In the District 1t is the
generally accepted belief that
there would be so many exemp-
tions to an income tax that the
burden would fall heavily on
some and others well able to
pay would go scot free.
The retail sales tax, to which
spokesmen for some organiza-
tions have raised serious objec-
tions, would reach all persons
when they purchase the articles
or commodities upon which the
tax is laid. The retail sales tax
payers would include the many
visitors to the District and all
public ofiicials.
The argument advanced against
the sales tax is that it imposes
more heavily upon the poor than
upon the well to do. It has been
noticed that some of those who
oppose the sales tax advocate the
increase of the tax on motor
vehicle fuels. The gas tax is .
sales tax paid by the consumer
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Parents and Teachers Join
In Christmas Campaign
D. c. Congress Will Aid Star and Warner
Brothers in Distributing Gifts for Third Time
BY MRS. WALTER b. FRY.

President District Of Columbia
For the third Congress-
Parents Teachers will with
Bros Theaters the metropolitan police and Station
Christmas campaign For the third time
will give unfshy thought this CAM
pagn success For days before the Christmas man
heaters
securing children whose Christmas
Tor this annual project checking
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Discuss ORGANIZATION

Further organization plans Of the
newly-formed Hampshire Heights
Citizens Association will be made at
meeting Of the group Tuesday at
pm. in the Barnard School, George
w. Fessenden, temporary secretary,
announced yesterday.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
BY JESSE c. SUTER.

The taxation hearing before
the Commissioners Advisory
Committee on Tax Study was
the most important civic event
of the week. The hearing was
held in the room of the Senate
Committee on the Judiciary in
the Capitol, with the chairman,
Auditor Donovan. presiding.
The four-point tentative tax
program submitted by the ad-
visory group was the subject for
discussion, though several other
suggested forms of taxation were
urged by spokesmen for va
rious organizations. The only
unanimity of sentiment was in
support of the proposal that the
Federal Government assume a
fair and equitable share in the
support, maintenance and build
ing of the National Capital
The Washington Community
Chest completed its 1889 cam
paign, though falling short of
the required amount by about
quarter of a million dollars. Some
of the workers are continuing in
an effort to complete the job.
The District Commissioners on
Monday last held their long-ex-
pected conference with the cor
poration counsel on the legislative
program to be urged on the
Seventy-sixth Congress. About
half of the list of 80 items which
had been submitted were ap-
proved and others laid aside for
further study or rejected. The
Commissioners have not indi-
Gated whether or not they will
invite the citizens to a hearing
! on the legislative program be-
fore submitting it to Congress.
The Alcoholic Beverage Con-
troll Board has announced that
it plans to hold a public hearing
on means of establishing more
effective control over extension
of credit to retailers by wholesale
liquor dealers. The interest of
the board in the matter is said
to be the prevention of whole
salers holding power over retail
ers. The date of the hearing has
not been announced.
A decided difference of opinion
between the 5000 taxicab drivers
is shown in connection with the
petition of one group for an in
crease of rates and revision of
zones. Since a request for a
hearing on the subject many taxi
operators have filed protests with
the Public Utilities Commission
against either change. The COM
mission has announced that it
will seek from Congress in the
coming session authority to limit
the number of licensed taxicabs
to $500.
The Montgomery County Civic
Federation is being complimented
on putting over its plan for q
survey of the county government
by the Brookings Institute. This
is considered the greatest achieve
ment since its defeat of the pro-
posed belt line railroad, which
was one of its early undertakings.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Improvement Plan
In Southeast Area
Being Sought
Pennsylvania Avenue
Beuutificotion Cited
In Endorsements

IN keeping with the desire of the
Fine Arts Commission and the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission to develop Southeast
Washington, number of citizens
associations are falling in line with
the improvement program.
The most outstanding features of
the improvement program, as men,
toned recently by the associations,
include naming the new Pennsyl-
vania Avenue Bridge in honor of
John Philip Sousa and erection OF
the Thomas Jefferson Memorial
In the form of a huge stadium, in
the Eastern part of the city rather
than at the Tidal Basin. Other
recommendations include the beauti-
f1cation of Pennsylvania avenue from
Second to Seventeenth streets Sc.
This particular project would entail
recurbing, landscaping and general
reconditioning of the center park
way along the avenue.
With 20 associations scheduled to
meet this week, Endorsement of this
project is expected to be continued
along with other city-wide problems,
such as District taxes. pedestrian
control and sundry other items.
A brief review of those associa-
tions meeting last week and up to
Thursday and the complete schedule
of those organizations meeting this
week is listed.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Meetings This Week.

Two Junior Board committees and
one Board Of Trade committee are
scheduled to meet this week.
The public health unit of the
trade organization will meet next
Friday at 1890 pm. at the Har-
rington Hotel, according to DR.
Arthur c. Christie, chairman. Ross
Garrett of the Health Security Ad-
ministration will discuss the Wash
ington problem of medical care of
the INDECENT.
The Youth Welfare Committee OF
the Junior Board will meet Tues
day at 8 pm. and the evening meet
ings program unit will meet We'd
nesday at 8 pm. Both sessions will
be held in the board Offices in The
Star Building.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Honor Chest Workers.


The winning Community Chest
team of the Junior Board of Com
merce will be honored at a dinner
Tuesday at $50 pm. at Burts
Tavern. Minor Hudson, who was
chairman of the Junior Boards
Chest workers. will present a prize
to Nicholas Oren, who captained
the team which raised the largest
amount over its quota.
Awards also will be made to
Charles Koon. for the winning di-
vision; Maury Young, for the team
reporting the largest number of
times, and Burt Lopatin, who turned
in the most pledges. The Junior
Board workers, as a whole, again
went over their Chest quota this
year, according to Fred B. Linton,
executive secretary of the board.
Evening star., 1938-12-04
Trade. Board Meefinq
Theme 10 Be City
Development
DeIono and Finnon Among
Speakers for Session
December IA

The next general meeting of the
Board Of Trade, to be held Wednes-
day, December IA, at the Willard
Hotel, will be devoted to a general
discussion Of future plans for the
development Of Washington.
Among the principal speakers will
be Frederic A. Delano, chairman
Of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission: c. Marshall
Finnan, superintendent of the Ma
tional Capital Parks, AMI j. G Nich-
OILS, a member Of the planning COM
mission and one of the best-known
real estate operators in the coun-
try.
All members of the planning COM
mission have been invited to at
tend the meeting. In addition to
the speakers a new motion picture
on the parks and public buildings
will be presented. This will be the
first showing Of the film, which is to
be released for showings through
out the country The Metropolitan
Police Boys Club Band will furnish
musical entertainment during the
session.
Evening star., 1938-12-04

An executive meeting will be held
Tuesday. The program for the reg
ular meeting, December 13, at the
field house, will feature a musical
prologue and play, "The Story of
the First Christmas" presented by
association members and directed
Evening star., 1938-04-13
DC. Body, With T,vo Present,
Il Approues Train Liquor Bill

Mr.. McGehee said he thought the
liquor license bill should be approved
without delay to relieve the railroads
of the present burden of taking out
licenses for each car on which liquor
is sold. Chairman Palmisano, who,
incidentally, had introduced the meas
ure, agreed with him. The motion to
report the bill, naturally, was adopted
unanimously.
Mr.. West then called attention to a
bill which the Commissioners want
enacted into law to modernize the Dis
trict's zoning act.
For IS minutes there was a discus
sion over this bill. particularly the
section which would give the zoning
Commission authority to eliminate
nom conforming uses-a section that
would, for example, force grocery
store established before the Zoning
law out of a neigfiborhood now zoned
residential.
That's going too far" remarked
Chairman Palmisano.
II agree it is radical" said Mr.
West. There is also a question of
the validity of such a provision"
We'll. let's see what the Senate does
with this bill before we act on It," de-
clared Mr.. Palmisano.
The meeting adjourned.
Evening star., 1938-04-13

With only of its 10 members pres
ent-Chairman Palmisano and Repre-
sentative McGehee, Democrat, of Mis-
sissippi-the House District Committee
today favorably reported a bill to
relieve railroads of the necessity and
expense of procuring separate licenses
for each dining. club and lounge car
on which liquor is sold while in WASH
ington.
The meeting, regular weekly affair,
was scheduled for 1890 am. About
10:45 Chairman Palmisano arrived and
found none of the other 18 members
present. For the next 80 minutes he
entertained newspaper men, Assistant
Corporation Counsel Vernon E. West
and Capt Hugh P. Dram. executive
of1icer of the Zoning Commission, with
discussion about the "lopsided
liquor laws in this country
Several times during the discussion
Mr. Palmisano said he did not believe
there would be meeting. Mr.. West
explained he had to write legal brief
and might as well 60 back to the Dis
trict Building and do it, But at 1l:15
Mr.. McGehee, who is chairman of the
important judiciary Subcommittee,
hurried into the committee room and
quickly extracted from his coat pock-
cts a half dozen bills that had been
referred to his group for consideration.
Evening star., 1938-04-13
Britain Plans
Purchases of
u. S. aircraft
Ey the Associated Press.

LONDON, April l3.-Earl Winterton,
undersecretary for air, announced IN
the House of Commons today that the
aovernment was investigating the pos
sibility of buying airplanes in the
United States and Canada for the
Royal Air Force.
Cheers greeted this statement. with
which Lord Winterton replied to two
questions:
Definitely exploratory action has
been taken in regard to the possibility
of providing aircraft for the R. A. F.
from the United States and Canada" "
Numerous members of Parliament
have advocated this step as the only
way to catch up with Germanys war
plane production in the near future.
Britain's aviation factories, although
working day and night, still are unable
to meet the demand.
Some members have urged the gov
ernment to build aircraft factories in
Canada, arguing that in case of war
direct supply Of planes from the United
States might be shut of by the neu-
trality act.