Evening star., 1939-05-28
BY JESSE c. SUTER.

Thrills have been the order in
civic affairs during the past week.
Organized and unorganized civic
Washington has been given a
plenty to think about, and in
terestlng civic entertainment has
been available both at the Dis
trict Building and on Capitol
Hill. The White House, not to
be outdone by the Commissioners
and the legislative branch, made
its contribution by the unexpect-
ed nomination of George E. Allen
as District Commissioner.
Some of the civic thrills have
been decidedly sensational The
milk investigation has branched
out into a double-head affair.
The investigation has apparently
been too slow process to suit
one of our legislators who is try
ing to force through some legis-
lation before the completion of
the investigation. This is consid-
cred as rather peculiar proceed
ure. for the reason that the only
excuse for the investigation is to
discover the need, If any. for leg
islation and what kind of legisla-
tion is required
The contribution of the Com
missioners to the entertainment
of the community is the holding
of what is considered by some to
be a cross between a post-mor-
tenn examination and coroner's
inquest. This is a public hearing,
wished on the Commissioner by
members of the House District
Committee, on the dismissal in
1887 of the superintendent of
the Training School for Girls.
Just why the members of the
District Committee passed up this
opportunity for another sensa-
tional inquiry is something the
citizens are at a loss to under
stand. Nothing new appears to
have been developed in the hear
ing SO far, as the conditions at
this institution were all given the
fullest publicity at the time of the
removal of the official in charge.
Citizens are wondering what is
to be gained by any one through
rehashing this old, sad story.
The Senate Appropriations Dis
trict Subcommittee, headed by
Senator Overton of Louisiana.
completed its hearings on the
District appropriation bill late
on Thursday. Senator Overton
indicated that the committee is
giving consideration to increas-
ing the Federal share of the
District budget beyond the S.
100000 carried by the bill as
passed by the House. This is
really the only way open to the
Senate to increase the available
District funds if increases are to
be written into the bill by that
body. If additional revenue is
needed and is to be provided by
taxation such legislation is re-
quired to be originated in the
House Citizens will await with
interest the action of the COM
mittee but with confidence in its
friendly attitude.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission began a
two-day session on Thursday with
very full agenda. The commits
sion is opposing the proposal to
build the National Guard Armory
in Southwest Washington, as pro-
vided by the appropriation bill
as passed by the House, and also
to the location of the proposed
new Abbott Vocational School on
the site at Thirteenth and Up
shur streets NV, as also carried
by the same bill. If the commits
sion's plans are carried out, the
Wilson Teachers College will be
erected at the Upshur street 10
cation and the vocational school
at Brentwood Park. Many other
important matters were consid-
cred by the commission.