Evening star., 1957-12-29
nv JAMES q. DEANE

~ @N~~@-0 - @~~SFNe~
For the Nations Capital, 1857
appears 10 be. on balance, q good
vintage year. A number OF sore
problems were dealt with and the
entire Washington area--the Dis
trict Of Columbia and It's Mary
land and Virginia suburhs--hegan
to face up to the responsibilities
and demands Of its role as one
Of the country's big metro" re-
gions.
Here are some Of the fields In
which the District can congratu-
late itself on forward steps;
SCHOOLS-School leaders won
funds to hire more teachers and
reduce class sizes. The Commis-
sioners were reported to have ap-
proved long sought 30-to-l
teacher-pupil ratio as the standard
for future elementary buildings
and budgets. A new high school
"four-track" plan and intensive
remedial work showed promise OF
lifting achievement levels. The
city's biggest elementary school
was opened. And racial inteara-
tion quietly entered its fourth
year.
PUBLIC WORKS-A citizens
committee came to grips with a
lag in public works. recommending
q new $l4l-million, six-year list
Of building projects and a combi-
nation Of borrowing and Federal
help to pay for them. The pro-
gram, somewhat revised and en-
larged by oficials. win soon so to
Congress.
PRISONS-Another committee
under Commissioner David B. Kar-
rick delved into the problem Of
prison crowding and came up with
sweeping proposals for revamping
arrest. parole and probation pro-
cedues. The committees stress
was on rehabilitation in place OF
incarceration. The Commissioners
began to carry out many Of the
proposals.
REDEvELOPMENT-After sew
eral years Of preliminaries. financ-
ing was arranged and a building
permit was cleared for an air
conditioned eight-story apartment
building, the first residential re-
construction on the site Of former
Southwest slums. And city in
spectors made headway In up
grading drives in several old neigh
borhoods.
WELFARE-The city inaugu-
rated q new program for distrib-
uting Federal surplus food to the
needy and provided for speedier
help to those applying for relief.
At years end II was reported the
Commissioners also plan q sizeable
boost In monthly relief checks.
TRANSPORTATION - Con-
struction began on two multimil-
lion-dollar highway projects. the
Southwest and Anacostia free
ways. and neared completion on Q
new crosstown link at the Sol
diers' Home. A key underpass was
opened linking the East Capitol
Street Bridge and the Baltimore
Washington parkway. And the
Commissioner ordered test bor-
ings for the long delayed. much
disputed Constitution avenue
bridge.
"M Z TRIO" Metropolitan
Washington Regional Conference
was formed by governing officials
of the many communities which
make up the metro area. under
the leadership Of District Com
missioner Robert Z. Mclaughlin.
Also, a joint congressional COM
mittee. headed by Senator Bible.
Democrat Of New Mexico. was set
up TO decide what steps should be
taken to cope with the many prob
lems-transportation, water and
sewage. health and welfare. to
name a few-which come with
the burgeoning of the Washington
metropolis.
Toxes Withheld
The year saw a number Of other
Developments. The District took
its first crack at withholding in
dividual income taxes. Together
with q drop from $4,000 TO $1,000
In individual exemptions. this