Evening star., 1945-09-27

he said we should have "other ar
rows in our bows" and not plan for
the future on the basis of hope.
Centers of Cities Dying"
Mr.. Lusk based his plea for main
tenance of the present tax rate on
the contention that the centers of
number of large American cities
are dying because of high tax
rates. He referred specifically to
parts of Chicago, st. Louis and
Boston. =, II
He said that with the construc-
ton of Government buildings out
side the District lines there already
is tendency to build outside the
central area and that comparative
real estate tax rates in nearby coun-
ties were somewhat less than the
District rate" He said that the
central area of the District had
not declined because We have a
reasonable tax rate.
Mr.. Lusk, who also is secretary of
the Washington Building Owners
and Managers Association, sug-
gested that street lighting should
come under the highway fund, ad-
vocated microfilming of documents
at the Recorder of Deeds Office to
save clerical expenses and recon-
mended that policemen's and fire.
mems pension fund be placed on
the basis of other pension funds.
He explained that the pension fund
for general employees and school
teachers are on an actuarial basis.
Parking Agency Plea.
George E. Keneipp, manager of
the Keystone Automobile Club,
urged the Commissioners to restore
in next years budget $4,000 for the
renewal of activities for the Mo-
tor Vehicle Parking Agency.
Mr.. Keneipp backed the efforts
of the Department of Vehicles and
Traffic to strengthen its engineer
ing staff and supported the plan
for eight instead of the usual four
traffic lights at busy downtown in
tersections.
Washington I. Cleveland of the
American Automobile Association,
and chairman of the Traffic Move
ment Committee of the Commission
ers' Traffic Advisers also strongly
urged appropriations for the parking
agency and suggested a deficiency
appropriation for the present year.
He likewise approved the plan to
increase the engineering staff OF the
Department of Vehicles and Traffic,
but said that higher civil service
classification than is proposed now
would be required to attract COM
petent engineers.
Commissioner Guy Mason voiced
vigorous objection to Mr.. Cleveland's
proposal that a mechanic be avail
able at District motor vehicle in
spection stations to make minor
adjustments at the stations, thus
saving the motorist from returning
for a second inspection. Mr.. Mason
said the Government can't do every
thing for the people and that such
proposal would compete with out
side mechanics.
Asks School Symphony Funds.
E. r. Kinkenstaedt, president of
the National Symphony Orchestra,
pleaded for the District to include
$25, 900 for the school symphony pro-
grams. He said that a survey of
number of cities showed that the
District was the only community
where there was no endowment or
city aid for such a program.
T. Paul Mudd, chairman of the
Welfare Committee of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations, strong
ly supported the increased staff and
appropriations sought for the
projected Receiving Home near Gal
laudet College. Mr. Mudd said that
the present Receiving Home lacked
adequate medical, dental care and
proper facilities for segregation of
the children. He said the staff was
entitled to progressive salary in
creases if they proved competent in
their work.
Mrs. Clyde Hunt, representing the
Parents Committee for Child Care,
urged that the District appropriate
enough funds to continue the opera
ton OF nurseries caring for children
OF working parents. Mrs. Hunt said
the need for these nurseries is still
urgent and asked that $225, 600 be
appropriated for their continued
operation.
Federal Work Agency funds. which
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