Evening star., 1938-03-20
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

Most eventful was the past week
from a civic viewpoint. The con-
ferees on the District of Columbia
appropriation bill reached an agree
ment, which was reported to the
Senate on Tuesday and the confer
ence report adopted late on Thurs
day The bill has now gone to the
House, where the rules will require
a separate vote on several Of the
Senate amendments. The bill as
finally agreed to in conference car
ries a total Of $47,25O.OOO, and Is
about 100000 below the total as
originally passed by the Senate.
About one-half Of the cut was in
public school items. Street light
ing has gone back In the bill
against the general fund. thus max
ing available funds for several
major bridge and highway items
from the motor tax fund.
Passage of the appropriation bill
will give the Subcommittee on Fis-
cal Affairs of the House District
Committee fair idea of the esti-
mated deficit in District revenues
during the next fiscal year. It is
understood that the subcommittee
Is nearly ready to report to the full
committee and the taxpayers just
what additional taxes are to be i'm
posed to make up the shortage oc-
casioned by the failure of the Fed
eral Government to meet its fair
and equitable share of the expenses
Of the District.
At last the bill to amend the
gambling laws so as to kill or Grip
pie the numbers" racket was
ordered favorably reported ut a
stormy session of the House District
Committee. The bill goes on the
House calendar and Is expected to
be considered on the next District
day, March 20. As reported,
amendments recommended by
United States Attorney Pine were
incorporated in the bill. It Is be-
lieved that these amendments are
satisfactory to the Senate and ap-
proval by that body. 1t is thought,
will speedily follow passage by
the House.
Opposition from the recorder of
deeds developed at hearing before
q subcommittee Of the Senate Dis
trict Committee on q bill to trans.
fer the recording OF liens on motor
vehicles to the onice of vehicles and
traffic from the deeds ONCE. The
object Of this legislation is to CEN
tralize all matters pertaining to the
titles Of motor vehicles in that de-
partment in which it logically be-
longs. 1t Is held that this change
would be In the interest of increased
efficiency and convenience to the
public.
Two conferences on the recrea-
ton system Of the District. were
held during the week. On Monday
the Council OF Social Agencies
heard Chairman Delano of the Park
and Planning Commission, Mrs.
Henry, Grattan Doyle, president Of
the Board Of Education, and Arno
B. Cammerer of the National Park
Service. The bill proposing q board
OF recreation was explained, but no
action taken. The Board of Educa-
ton held a recreation conference
on Wednesday and will hold an
other shortly. There Is not much
enthusiasm shown for the proposed
new board.
A thorough investigation Of the
local relief problem Is promised by
Congress in the appropriation bill.
This investigation, it Is proposed,
will be conducted by q competent
person to be selected by the chair
man Of the Senate and House Com.
mittees on Appropriations.
The Public Utilities Commission
has again refused to sanction the
purchase by the Washington Gas
Light Co. Of the Alexandria and the
Hyattsville gas companies.