Evening star., 1950-01-01

pulsory education law was enacted
in 1925.
In 1900 the school system. as
usual, was unable to provide ade-
quately for the rapidly increasing
enrolment. Such unmet, urgent
school needs have continued, con-
sistently. and, as the period closes,
are still unmet. Oversize classes,
pupils on half-time. outmoded
buildings and unsuited classrooms
are conditions disclosed in re-
ports of the superintendent and
the survey by DR.. Strayer in 1948.
Despite these deficiencies. the
appropriation for public schools
of the District for the fiscal year
ended June 30. 1949, was $25.102,-
683. or 2s.3 per cent Of the Dis
trict's appropriations for the
general fund.
Experience has shown that
capital outlays from current reve-
nues can never catch up with the
needs. Many important senior and
junior high schools and ele-
mentary school buildings have
been erected but the need for
buildings Is still great.
Public Utilities
The local street railway system
was in 1908 placed under the In
terstate Commerce Commission,
which created the District Electric
Railroad Commission for the con-
troll. A Public Utilities Commis-
sion consisting of the three Dis
trict Commissioners superseded
the ICC in 1918, and its powers
extended to the power, light and
telephone companies and later to
taxicabs. The independent Public
Utilities Commission was created
in 1926. consisting Of the Engineer
Commissioner and two citizens ap-
pointed by the President and con-
f1rmed by the Senate. The act Of
1926 also created the Office of
peoples counsel.
The merger in 1888 of the Cap
ital Traction Co. and the Wash
ington Railway g. Electric Co.
was authorized by Congress. Under
this merger the Capital Transit
Co. was created for operation of
all trolley lines and most of the
buslines. The Washington Rapid
Transit Co. Sixteenth street bus
lines) was. in June. 1886, merged
with the Capital Transit Co.,
bringing all mass transportation
under one management.
Efforts to bring about changes
in the commission form Of the
District Government have been
made ever since the enactment Of
the Organic Act Of 1873. The Cit
liens Representative Committee
of 100 made an impressive start
in 1882 with a carefully drawn
bill. The many legislative pro-
posals have varied from complete
reorganization to election Of a
voteless delegate in the House Of
Representatives or a completely
elective local government.
Numerous studies Of the prob
lem were made. notably that un-
der direction of the Brookings In
stitution in 1929 and that in 1889
by Griffenhagen Associates. In
recent years. bills differing in
method to grant a municipal
charter to the District Of Colum-
bia have been considered by the
District Committees.
The pending Kefauver bill for
an elective local government
passed the Senate May 81. 1949,
and was tabled by the House Dis
trict Committee in a vote Of Is
to 8. Proponents are trying to
have the committee discharged
from consideration and send the
bill to the House for a vote.
Liquor Traffic
The nuisance and costliness of
the alcoholic liquor traffic con-
tinue as serious problems. The
Star, in an article in March, 1910,
called it "The Perennial Problem
Child Of Government"
During the so years the District
has had low license; high license,
with partial local option; extensive
dry areas, and complete prohibi-
ton under the Sheppard and VOL
stead Acts. With repeal came en-
actment Of the present ABC Act.
"Today's District of Columbia liq-
uor conditions" said a writer, "are
the product Of yesterdays concep-
ton Of model post-repeal alcohol
beverage control system"
The temperance education man
date Of President Roosevelt's pro-
hibition repeal proclamation has
not been carried out in Washing
ton. Said Mr.. Roosevelt: 1.-The OBJ
ject we seek through a national
policy is the education of every
citizen toward a greater temper
ance throughout the Nation"
Aside from recent increased
taxation, the only new develop
ment is the operation of clinic
for the treatment of alcoholic
addicts. supported by specific tax
on alcoholic beverage sales.
Other important problems and
the civic army that fights for
Washington will be further dis
cussed in The Sunday Star. COL
umn "Civic Problems, Civic
Bodies" beginning January 8.