Evening star., 1959-06-03
Traffic, Ticket Fix
Set for DC. Study
House Group
Also to Probe
Bridge Delays
BY GRACE BASSETT
Star stan Writer

star stan Writer
Star investigations of traf-
fic congestion. delays in bridge
construction and ticket-fixing
today we're ordered by the
House District Committee.
The investigations were Or
dered in resolutions passed
unanimously at a morning ses-
sion. At the closed meeting.
they also reported six bills, in
cluding legislation to free
presidential appointees from
District income taxes and to
extend through 1861 Federal
aid for the Southeast Washing
ton Hospital.
Committee Chairman McMil-
Ian proposed the studies. He
was supported by Democratic
Representatives Smith Of Vir-
|ginia and Davis Of Georgia and
Representative Broyhill, Re-
publican Of Virginia, who said
they had received complaints
about traffic slowdowns.
Asked which staff members
would investigate. William Nc
Leod. committee clerk, said they
would find out who had been
adjusting traffic tickets, why
adjustments had been made and
II influence was playing a part
in robbing the city Of parking
meter revenue.
81 Million Surplus
The parking meter fund now
has q 81 million surplus frozen
by Senate and House action on
the budget except for minor
parking improvements.
Committee members are
alarmed because the Constitu-
ton avenue, the 18th street and
the Jones Point Bridges, all au-
thorized and funded, are not
constructed. Mr.. Mcleod said.
The Bureau Of Public Roads
has started to build the Jones
Point span. which is planned
for completion by 1860. District
officials hope to begin work on
the Fourteenth street bridge
this year and the Constitution
avenue structure by early 1860.
Final work drawings are under.
way on both Of the latter
bridges.
The tax-exemption measure
cleared by the committee
would free Is more presidential
appointees from payment Of
District income taxes. They
all serve for fixed terms.
Agencies Listed
Current law already exempts
some 179 presidential ap-
lpointees who serve at the
pleasure Of the White House.
The bill was amended in
committee to list agencies,
members Of which would win
tax exemption.
They are the Atomic Energy
Commission, Civil Aeronautics
Board, Federal Communica.
tions Commission. Federal De-
posit Insurance Corporation.
Federal Home Loan Bank
Board, Federal Maritime Board,
Federal Power Commission and
the Board of Governors Of the
Federal Reserve System.
Also. the Federal Trade COM
mission, Interstate Commerce
Commission, National Labor
Relations Board, National
Mediation Board, Securities
and Exchange Commission,
Subversive Activities Control
Board and United States Tariff
Commission.
Hospital Funds
Southeast Hospital sponsors
could receive I'D to So million
in Federal funds through 1861,
under the authorizing legisla-
ton sent to the floor. Without
action on this bill. the So mill
lion would be cut of at the
end Of this fiscal year.
The $6 million, 250-bed hos
pital would be financed by 50
million in donations, of which
$740.000 has been raised, the
Federal grant and 81 million
in loans and foundations gifts.
In other action, the COM
mittee approved bills granting
retirement benefits to Charles
Benter, police band director, to
incorporate the Ladies of the
Grand Army Of the Republic,
and to allow the American So
ciety Of International Law to
establish headquarters at 1928
Massachusetts avenue NV. In
q residential zone.
i Also reported was q Senate
passed bill permitting District
officials to send by registered
mail tax and assessment no.
tices. Personal service now is
Required.