davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-03-05
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

The past week made a good
start, so far as District of Colum-
bia legislation is concerned, by the
House of Representatives observ-
ing District Day. 1t was a day Of
short duration, but resulted in the
passage Of three District bills, the
first of the session. These were
bills previously passed by the
Senate. They provided for the
naming of the Pennsylvania ave-
nue bridge, over the Anacostia
River, after John Philip Sousa;
giving the District Commission
ers power to fix the time for
turning on and off the city lights
and for the reinstatement of two
policemen dismissed after trial
before the Police Trial Board.
The first two bills have gone to
the President for signature and
the third to conference because
OF disagreement as to payment of
back pay.
The Senate on Monday passed
the bill to protect the local banks
from unjust claims. This bill now
goes to the House for considera-
ton.
Hearings on the 1910 budget
have been under way during the
week, before Chairman Ross Col
Inns of the House District Appro-
priations Subcommittee. Only
District officials are being heard
and, following the usual custom,
the hearings are in executive ses-
sion.
There has been delay in get
ting the hearings started on the
District revenue bill. First, the
committee was reported to be
waiting for the recovery from ILL
ness of the expert Mr.. Pond, who
had drafted the tax bill. Since
then there appears to have been
difficulty In fixing a time to
suit the members of the subcom-
mittee. The chairman of the
subcommittee of the House Dis
trict Committee in charge of this
bill is Representative Jack Mich
OILS of Oklahoma.
Representative Ambrose j.
Kennedy of Maryland announced
on Thursday that arrangements
have been completed for begin
ming the hearings on the Grif-
fenhagen plan for reorganization
of the District government. There
has been considerable difficulty
in finding time when the mem
bers of the subcommittee could
Evening star., 1939-03-05

hagen report in part but advocated
adoption Of all but one section of
eight-point plan for city council
recommended by Federation. The
association specified the need for
three executives for local govern
ment instead of single head as pro-
posed by Federation; protested
shifting of municipal lodging house
to Southeast section and planned
construction of wharf on Anacostia
River to serve local penal institu-
tlons; urged additional appropria-
tions for Gallinger Hospital.
HAMPSHIRE HEIGHTS-Disap-
proved abolition of school board
as proposed in Griffenhagen re-
port; congratulated District Com
missioners for adopting pedestrian
control at same time recommending
ban on left-hand turns, additional
policemen and revocation OF per-
mits of all drivers found guilty OF
hit-and-run accidents as further
means of safety; approved Overton
plan of fiscal relations.
FR1ENDSH1P-Heard remarks
by Henry I. Quinn, recently retired
member of Board of Education,
who scored proposals in Griffen-
hagen report abolishing school
board. He ranked school system
IN Washington as fourishing and
one of best in country. Following
his remarks. the association voted
opposition to parts in Griffenhagen
report affecting Board of Education.
Department of Vehicles and Traffic:
protested sale of bootleg coal in
District and favored more authority
be given Department of Weights
and Measures toward curbing these
practices; asked increased appro-
priation for school budget to figure
of s602 900.
OLDEST INHABITANTS -Ap-
proved Overton plan of fiscal re-
lations, with three reservations,
which include the following: Add
to area of land owned by United
States in District the tax exempted
lands of foreign governments,
national and international, and
other institutions and organizations,
which have been exempted from
local taxation by act of Congress
because OF their national or inter-
national character; that the for
mula so established in this bill
shall be applied to total District
appropriations, with the exception
OF water fund and that water sup
piled United States be through
metsred service and paid toe By
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Citizen Groups Prepare
For Overton Bill Hearing.

Recent action by the various
civic groups indicate a better un-
derstanding Of the fiscal relations
plan advanced by Senator John
II. Overton of Louisiana than
earlier blanket approvals or ap-
prevails in principle. In all of
these actions, however, there is
indicated a keen appreciation of
friendly interest and grasp of
the situation by Senator Overton.
1t Is specially pleasing to the
civic organizations that Senator
Overton recognizes the necessity
OF a definite proportionate pay
ment by the United States toward
the support of the National Cap
ltal rather than the payment an
nually of an arbitrary lump sum
which bears no relation whatever
to the equities involved.
The simplicity of the Overton
formula is appealing as a method
for arriving at fair ratio Of pay
ment between the all-powerful
and controlling partner and the
impotent and major paving
partner in the government of the
National Capital. However, some
OF the civic groups believe that
the bill is susceptible to several
constructive changes which will
improve 1t materially and result
in the bearing by the United
States Of a more equitable share
in the cost of the support and up
building Of the Capital City.
Briefly stated, the Overton pro-
posal Is that the United States
shall pay toward the general
fund, for defraying the expenses.
of the government of the District
Of Columbia, an amount which
bears the same ratio as the land
owned by the United States in the
District of Columbia on the first
day OF August of the preceding
year bears to the entire area Of
the District Of Columbia. The
term entire area" is explained
to mean the total number Of acres
of land within the District "a
317 acres) less the amount COW
cred permanently by water (5,.
$40 acres), or SO, ,407 acres in ali.
The land owned by the United
States, it is explained, means the
total number of acres so owned
as of the first day of August of
each year beginning with the
calendar year 1889, exclusive of
the following: Cd Any of such
land embraced within the bound-
aries of any streets, avenues,
roads and alleys; ca one-half of
land in the park areas, and any
of such United States land used
exclusively by the District of Co.
lumbia.
The gross amount Of land
owned by the United States as Of
August l, 1888, is placed, ex-
elusive Of highways, at l1,097
acres. Deducting from this
amount one-half Of tho area Of
the parks, 2,0l6 acres, and fur.
Evening star., 1939-03-05

that District residents would be
appointed to the governing body
and that In the selection Of the
directors Of the II departments
District citizens would be given
the preference and that such
preference would be shown In the
selection Of the entire personnel.
In civic circles it is known how
dimcult 1t is for the District to
be sure Of square deal, even
when it supposedly is guaranteed
by statute, that there is little in
c1nation to take anything for
granted on a mere assumption
that such will be the case. When
objection is raised against the
proposal to remove the control
OF the school and library systems
from the management of the
boards Of local citizens, the ex-
perts give the assurance that
the citizens will have more con-
troll over these agencies than
under the present system. This
contention is supported by
statement that under the new
plan the policy making and con-
trolling body will be the gov
erning body" or council on which
there will be five or seven mem
bers. This governing body, OF
such number, will, it is claimed,
be far more representative of the
local citizens than the present
two civilian District Commission
ers. The Engineer Commissioner
Is not considered as representing
the District residents.
Objections continue to be raised
to various items Of the Griffen-
hagen plan, much to the disap-
pointment and apparent disgust
OF Representative Kennedy. Mr..
Kennedy has assumed that there
Is a lack of appreciation of his
EFFORTS to bring about an efficient
and business-like setup of the
District government That he is
entirely wrong in such assump-
tion Is most apparent throughout
the civic, trade and other organ
lied groups. Mr.. Kennedy is
everywhere referred to in terms
OF grateful appreciation. To have
devised a reorganization scheme
which would receive general ap-
proval would not have been a plan
OF "civic architects" or whatever
those experts call themselves-it
would have been a miracle,
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Playground Head
To Be Honored

The North Capitol Citizens Asso-
citation will hold party in honor of
Mrs. NJ Mayon, playground director
of the McMillen Park Playground. on
March %, James A. Crooks, secre-
tary of the association, announced
last night.
The party will be held. Mr.. Crooks
said. to express the appreciation of
the, association for the excellent
work Mrs. Mayor has done with
children of that area.
Evening star., 1939-03-05

ther deducting 210 acres of United
States land used exclusively by
the District, there remains the
net amount Of United States land
of 1871 acres. This last figure
Is the basic amount which would
be applied to the 38,407 acres In
determining the ratio of the
Federal payment toward the gen.
eral fund Of the District budget.
The Association Of the Oldest
Inhabitants Of the District Of Co.
lumbia has suggested that the
Overton bill be amended 50 as
to include In the United States
acreage base the area Of the land
exempted by acts Of Congress
owned by the foreign govern
ments and the like exempted
land owned by national or inter-
national organizations and in
stitutions and so exempted be-
cause Of national or international
reasons. The idea back of this
suggestion is that such properties
have been withdrawn from taxa
tion for the same reason as the
Federal holdings.
The Oldest Inhabitants also
suggest that the resulting per-
centage be applied to the total
amount Of the appropriations In
stead Of only the general fund,
with the exception Of the water
fund, and that the water, now
furnished the United States
without cost, be in future sup
piled by a metered service and
paid for by the Government in
the same manner as by all pri-
vate consumers. Another sug-
gestion from this organization is
that the District be relieved of
all obligation for the support of
the National Geological Park,
operated by the Smithsonian In
stitution and destined to be the
greatest, and probably the most
costly. in the world.
These suggestions are not in
tended as obstructive, but are re-
garded as reasonable, eminently
fair and in no way complicating
the establishing of a simple for
mula for the ending of the annu-
ally recurring controversy over
the fiscal relations between the
United States and the District of
Columbia,
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Reorganization Plans Incomplete;
Overton Hearing Preparations

attend. Many citizens have sug-
gested that the hearings be de-
ferred until the proposals were
included in the draft of a bill and
the bill introduced In the House.
The pedestrian control regula-
tion has passed its probationary
period and the general verdict
appears to be that there has been
a noticeable improvement in the
walking habits of the pedestrians
in the downtown area. One real
surprise to the pedestrians is an
apparent change on the part of
motorists at street intersections
and particularly by those making
turns. In some quarters there is
expressed belief that such con-
sideration for the pedestrians by
the motorists has been Influenced,
in no small way, by the publica-
ton in The Star of a Court of
Appeals decision which clearly
gives the pedestrian, who has left
the curb on the green light, the
right OF way to reach the other
curb even though the light goes
red while he is crossing.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Lewis Relief Report
Scheduled for
Consideration
Finance and Charities
Units of Trade Bourd
To Meet Wednesday

The Burdette Lewis report on the
District relief setup will be dis
cussed in a joint luncheon meeting
OF the subcommittee of the Mu-
nicipal Finance and the Charities
and Corrections Committee of the
Washington Board of Trade at 12 80
pm. Wednesday at the Harrington
Hotel. Lawrence E. Williams Is
chairman of the Municipal Finance
Subcommittee. while Vincent Sac
cardi is chairman Of the Charities
and Corrections Committee subcom-
mittee.
The subcommittee of the Teach
ers Of Public Schools Committee
will meet at 1890 pm. Thursday
at the Harrington Hotel. Cooper
B. Rhodes is chairman.
A luncheon meeting OF the Pub
lie Health Committee, of which DR..
Arthur C. Christie is chairman, will
be held at 1890 pm. Friday at the
Harrington.
Junior Board Meeting.
The Middle Atlantic Conference
Committee of the Washington Junior
Board of Commerce will hold a.
luncheon meeting at 1890 pm. to-
morrow at the University Club.
Other Junior Board of Commerce
committees meeting this week in
clude the United States Junior
Chamber of Commerce Convention
Committee at pm. tomorrow at
the Hour Glass, the Membership
Committee at 1890 pm. Tuesday at
Burt's Tavern, and the Big Brother
Movement Committee at 8 pm.
Tuesday in the Board of Trade
offices in The Star Building.
Willard G.. Barker. president of
the Morris Plan Bank, will address
the Junior Board luncheon meet
ing at 1890 pm. Thursday at the
Annapolis Hotel. His subject will
be Public Relations in Business"
A table tennis tournament for
members Of the organization will be
held at the table tennis courts at
Eleventh street and Pennsylvania
avenue NV. A cup will be awarded
the winner.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Addison to Talk

Francis G. Addison, president Of
the Washington Board of Trade. will
be guest speaker at a meeting Of
the Dupont Circle Citizens Asso-
citation tomorrow at 4:30 pm. in
the Mayfower Hotel, it was an
nounced by Rowland S. Marshall,
secretary of the association.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
CIVIC CALENDAR.

The following associations are
scheduled to meet this week:
Monday, March 8.
Citizens Association of Takoma,
D. c., Takoma School auditorium,
SPIN.
Dupont Circle, Mayflower Hotel.
4:30 pm.
Forest Hills, Ben Murch School,
8 pm.
Kenilworth. Kenilworth Recrea-
tional Center, 8 pm.
Manor Park, Whittier School, 8
pm.
Metropolis View. Crosby S. Noyes
School, 8 pm.
Progressive Citizens of Congress
Heights, Congress Heights School, 8
pm.
Progressive Citizens of George
town, Curtis School, 8 pm.
Tuesday, March 7.
Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant
Congregational Church, 8 pm.
North Cleveland Park, 3923 Win
dom place NV, 8pm.
Randle Highlands, Orr School, 8
pm.
Southeast Council, No. II police
precinct, 8 pm.
Wednesday, March 8.
Cathedral Heights Cleveland Park,
st. Adams Church parish hall, 8 pm.
Michigan Park, Bunker Hill
School, 8 pm.
North Randle Community, port
able school, Minnesota avenue and
E streets Sc, 8 pm.
Rhode Island avenue, Woodbridge
Branch Public Library, 8 pm.
Thursday, March 8.
American University Park, Hurst
Hall, American University, 8 pm.
Congress Heights, Congress-
Heights School, 8 pm.
Friday, March 10.
Brightwood, Paul Junior High
School. 8 pm.
Saturday. March II.
Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant
Branch Public Library, . pm.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Citizens WATCHING
Capitol Hill Action
On Ga||inger
Twenty Associations
Slated for Meetinas
In Coming Week

Recent attacks by civic organiza-
tions on conditions existing at GAL
linger Hospital were followed by
action on Capitol Hill last week
when the House District Commit
tee took two steps concerning the
institution.
The first directed the Subcom-
mittee on Public Health, Hospitals
and Charities to investigate condi-
tionS at the hospital while the Sec
ond urged all members of the full
committee to attend. when possible,
hearings on the 1910 District sup
ply bill, especially when items for
Gallinger are discussed.
simultaneously with this action
was the passing by the House of
two local bills of considerable i'm
portance, one in particular, to as
sociations in Southeast.
AS an outgroWth of the recent
death of Millard Caldwell, son of
the Representative from Florida,
who was killed by hit-and-run
driver on a dark and foggy morn
ing after the street lights had been
turned off, the House passed bill
giving the Commissioners authority
to fix the time for turning street
lights in Washington on and off.
The other bill passed, and of par
ticular interest to the Southeast Sec
ton of the city. provides the naming
of the new Pennsylvania avenue
bridge across the Anacostia River
John Phillip Sousa, after the late
march king"
AS both measures have already
passed the Senate, they will 60 to
the White House for the expected
signature of the President.
A review of the associations that
met from Thursday, February %.
through Wednesday, March !, is as
follows:
Evening star., 1939-03-05
To Talk on Alaska

r. Harvey Sargent will give an
illustrated lecture on Alaska at a
meeting of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association Tuesday at g.
pm. in the Mount Pleasant Con-
gregational Church, 1410 Columbia
road NV.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Alcoholic Beverage Control
A Current District Problem.

A current District Problem.
The dissatisfaction expressed
by a number Of the civic groups
over the administration Of the
District Alcoholic Beverage Con-
troll Act has been noted in this
column before. Such complaints
have usually centered around the
granting Of licenses in residential
neighborhoods against the pro-
tests OF residents and property
owners who are regularly de-
voting much Of their time to civic
improvement Of these neighbor-
hoods.
Granting Of licenses to appli-
cants In the vicinity Of schools
and churches despite the opposi-
ton OF the Board OF Education,
parent-teacher associations and
the officers OF the churches have
not increased the respect of these
citizens for the A. B. c. Board.
In such circles there is a grow
ing demand that something must
be done about it.
The United Dry Forces of the
District has kept busy, holding
regular meetings and making a
study of the problem. This group
Is sponsoring the Guyer-Frazier
bill to prohibit the liquor traffic
in the District of Columbia. The
president of the organiza ton has
been quoted as not expecting
the passage of this prohibition
bill in the present Congress. He
Is. however, of the opinion that
the trend is In that direction.
A new factor has been intro
duced into the consideration of
this problem-a proposal In the
form of a House of Representa-
tives resolution, for an investiga-
ton Of the local liquor industry
and into the feasibility Of SUBJ
stituting q Government dispen-
sary system for the present IL
cense system Of class A beverage
stores. These are package stores
where liquor is sold In original
packages not to be drank on the
premises.
This proposal has organized
support and organized opposi-
ton. The support is from a newly
formed organization for the pro-
motion of the dispensary system
and the opposition is from the
local organization of liquor deal
ers. The pros are sending letters
and speakers to civic meetings
asking support of the proposed
investigation. They promise
startling disclosures.
The civic groups appear un-
certain as to the motives which
prompt these ardent advocates
of the dispensary system. None
of them are known to have been
identified as temperance reform
ers and at least one Of these
speakers was heard to declare that
unless something of this kind is
done prohibition Will surely re-
turn.
The opponents of the dispen-
sary proposal stress in their cam
paign the large number of people
who would be thrown out of en-
ployment through the substitu-
ton of the Government dispen-
sary system for the present sys-
tenn. And one Of the things which
the pro-dispensary advocates
want to get rid of is the bewilder-
ing display of neon signs which
appear everywhere.
The civic groups are acting
both pro and con on this ques-
ton and meanwhile the Shep-
pard resolution is pending be-
fore the House Committee on
Rules.
Evening star., 1939-03-05
Removal of D. A. RS Offices
Held Up Pending Meeting
District Congress Fights Transfer of
Head dquorters to Chicago
BY MRS. WALTER B. FRY,

through the efforts OF the District
oaseo on the egay OF former action
Committee Of National Congress of Parents and Teachers
removal OF national oce from Washington Chicago
meetng o tn National Executive Committee
nat on February 2 AS result following
Evening star., 1939-03-05
To Discuss Problems.

The Merchandise Advisory Com
mlttee of the Washington Better
Business Bureau will discuss mer-
chandise problems with the juris-
diction Of the bureau at luncheon
meeting at 1890 pm. Tuesday at
the Willard Hotel.
Evening star., 1939-03-05

Government, as is done by indi-
vidual consumers and third, pro-
vide for complete relief Of District
OF any financial obligation for op-
GRAFTON, maintenance and expansion
OF National Geological Park. Urged
construction of proposed auditor
ium at east end of East Capitol
street.
Evening star., 1939-03-05

The following associations are
scheduled to meet this week:
Evening star., 1939-03-05

last Thursday.
-. John Burroughs.
The association will meet at 1880
pm. Miss M. A. Turner, principal.
will lead a general discussion of
any subjects pertaining to school
life which parents wish clarified.
The fathers will present an enter
tainment Tuesday evening. Men,
bers Of the Community Center, as
we'll as the Tech Glee Club, will take
part in the performance.
Mrs. Fred Haering has been ap-
pointed chairman of the Social
Hygiene Committee, and Mrs. John
r. Shultz chairman Of the Radio
Committee.
Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Nelson en-
tertained at their home on February
% for fathers. DR.. A. Fife Heath
led the discussion centered on
"Comradship With the Children"
Grant-Weightman.
A card party will be given at
Southern Diaries on March q at
2 pm.
Hobbies" will be discussed at
the meeting Thursday at 3:15 pm.
at Weightman School.
Delegates have been appointed as
follows: Mrs. Belle Cutler Parker,
chairman; Mrs. Leroy Risk, Mrs.
Alice johnson, Mrs. David Simon,
Mrs. H. Pronke.
Contributions for the blood bank
at Children's Hospital and expense
Of the Social Hygiene Institute have
been approved.
Ketcham.Van Buren,.
The Ways and Means Committee
met ut the home Of the chairman
Mr.. Marian Linden, on February
Evening star., 1939-03-01
Final Report Meeting
Today in Symphony
Fund Campaign
Further Contributions
Needed to Put Fund
Over $4,000 Goal

With volunteer workers meeting at
the Carlton Hotel today to make
their final reports on the annual sus-
tanning fund campaign for the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestras 1882
1910 season, Thomas P. Morgan, jr..
campaign chairman, announced that
contributions to the fund could pe
made until March IA.
He urged Washingtonians to take
advantage OF the special desk in the
Carlton Hotel made available for
contributors and pointed out that
enough small gifts would put the
drive over.
If 10000 people would each give
81, he said, the campaigns success
would be assured.
Approximately $4,000 was still
lacking before the report meeting.
Although this figure was expected to
be cut down by the reports, officials
of the campaign predicted that there
would still be plenty to go" to raise
the fund to the Sill 900 goal.
Because of the illness of volun-
teers. it was stated, all the prospects
have not been covered. Many peo-
pie who indicated their friendliness
to the orchestra by contributing last
year have not been approached.
1--WE are asking these people to
show their friendship by coming for
ward with their donations now in
stead of waiting to be approached
personally" Mr.. Morgan said.