Evening star., 1941-01-04
Reynolds Lists
0bjectives as
D. {. Chairman
improvement Program
Stresses Bettering of
Traffic Situation
BY j. A. O'LEARY.

An amDltlOuS program LOT Int
improvement of the National Cap
ital is being formulated by Senator
Reynolds, Democrat, of North Car
olina, whose selection as next chair
man of the District Committee
became apparent yesterday.
The North Carolinian denounced
taxation without representation,
although withholding judgment on
specific forms of suffrage for the
time being.
He advocated a larger Federal
share in the expenses of the Dis
trict. and indicated he would give
sympathetic consideration to the
Overton plan, which Senator Over
ton, Democrat, of Louisiana, chair
man of the Senate Subcommittee on
District Appropriations, announced
he will reintroduce.
The Overton formula would base
the Federal payment on the per-
centage of tax-exempt land area Of
the city required for Federal pur-
poses. Two years ago 1t was eStl-
mated at 20 per cent of the general
fund expenses, or about $6,OOOOOO.
Program Includes Traffic Changes.
Senator Reynolds listed a number
of other shortcomings he would
like to see corrected, including the
following:
Steps to relieve traffic congestion,
particularly that caused by in
adequate parking facilities.
Erection of stadium large
enough to accommodate events like
the international Olympic games
and the Army Navy football classic,
Some means by which the thou
sands of transients and part-tlme
residents would help meet the cost
of municipal services they receive
while here and reduction, II pos
sible, in real estate taxes.
The District championship, which
became vacant yesterday when Sen
ator King, Democrat. of Utah COM
pleted his senatorial term, will not
be filled by Senate leaders until
next week. Selection of Senator
Reynolds became virtually assured,
however, when Senator McCarran.
Democrat, of Nevada made it clear
yesterday he would not accept the
appointment Among the Demo-
Gratis who outrank Senator Reynolds
on the committee, Senator McCarran
was the only one who might have
considered the Craftsmanship. The
others already have chairmanships.
Would Listen to Citizens.
Senator Reynolds left no doubt
he would accept and said that if
chosen his purpose would be to hear
the residents of the District fully
on all important matters.
In view of the fact this is the
Capital of the most powerful Ma
ton in the world, with a population
I believe has reached one million,
it is a shame we do not have city
that could become model" said
Senator Reynolds.
He placed traffic congestion near
the top of the problems needing at
tention, but explained that he does
not regard existing conditions as
attributable to Traffic Director Van
Duzer or the police. 1t is due. he
said, to a rapid growth in the city
almost overnight"
AS step toward solution he advo-
Gated that garage facilities be re-
quired as part of the plans for all
future apartment houses and pos
sibly for office buildings and the
aterS. He urged also that the city
consider building some downtown
parking facilities.
Indicates Suffrage Sympathy.
Asked how he felt toward grant
ing the District suffrage, Senator
Reynolds replied:
"Since it looks as though I am
going to be the chairman of the
committee, it would be improper to
voice personal ideas, but I can say
that I would hate to be a resident
of any State, county or municipality
where I was not permitted to par
ticipate in civic and political af-
fairs for my own protection. I
would hate to pay taxation without
representation.
The Senator said it is "a disgrace"
that the Capital of this country
does not have suitable stadium.
In discussing the financing of
the Capital. Senator Reynolds said
some means should be found by
which the District could derive
part of it's revenue from thousands
of persons who come here annually,
or spend part of the year here,
enjoying the privileges and protec-
ton of the city government but
not contributing to its upkeep.
Favors More Federal Support.
"We ought to have more money
from the Federal Government, be-
cause the whole District is filled
with tax-exempt property" he con-
tinued
At present the Federal share is
a s6,000.000 lump sum toward a
total budget of about $4,000, 900 for
the year.
In the old Congress, Senator Rey-
nolds was the author of a bill to
legalize race tracks in the District,
and indicated he would revive that
issue.
Senator McCarran said today that.
while he would not take the chair
manship, he is willing to remain a
member of the District Committee.
Hearing on Power Rate