Evening star. [volume], March 08, 1936, Page A-6, Image 6

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
BELL IS JAILED
. FOR FALSE ALARM
Old Police Record Causes
Father of Seven to
Lose Plea.
A previous police record caused Ste
phen Russell, 37. father of seven chil
dren, to be sentenced to six months in
jail when he appeared before Judge
Isaac R. Hitt in Police Court yester
day on a charge of turning in a false
fire alarm.
Russell lost his application for pro
bation when his wife came to court
and told Joseph N. Sanford, probation
officer, that “he got drunk and beat
me up last night.” Sanford did not
recommend probation.
Mrs. Russell, who hid from her hus
band in a witness room while he was
being arraigned, showed large bruises
on her arms and back. Representa
tives of two Catholic charity organiza
tions also came to court for a con
ference with Sanford before the case
was called.
On W. P. A. Pay Roll.
Russell, who drew his first pay on a
|45-a-month W. P. A. job last week,
was charged with having turned in a
false fire alarm at Fourth and N
streets southwest last Monday night.
He said he went to a house on Fourth
6treet to see a man about work and
that when he arrived a party was in
progress. He told his attorney, John
McGinnis, he turned in the alarm when
an oil lamp was overturned and he
thought there was going to be a fire.
Russell was found guilty last Tues
day by Judge Hitt, but sentence was
suspended while Sanford investigated
his record. Despite five minor offenses
charged against Russell, Sanford had
planned to allow him to go on proba
tion until Mrs. Russell told her story
yesterday.
Criticized by Judge.
In sentencing Russell, Judge Hitt
•aid:
"Stephen Russell, you are up for
sentence today, having been found
guilty of turning in a false fire alarm.
The probation officer does not recom
mend probation in ycur case. You
have a record. You have been drunk
a number of times.
"Last night, the probation officer
tells me. you got drunk and beat up
your wife. If yours had been a wor
thy case, it would have been a pleasure
for this court to place you on pro
bation. Because you have been found
guilty of this offense and because of
ycur record and your character, I
sentence you to serve six months in
Jail.’’
Despite her story that her hus
band had beat her. Mrs. Russell re
fused to testify against him or to file
assault rhareps
BORAH’S SISTER ILL
Urs. Mary Alice Crews Suffers
Paralytic Stroke, t,
FAIRFIELD, 111,, March 7 (£>).—Mrs.
Mary Alice Crews, 83, a sister of Sena
tor Borah of Idaho, suffered a para
lytic stroke at her home here today.
Physicians said her condition was
critical.
D. C Bill
fContinued From First Page.)
result of slashing $3,000,000 off the '
Federal share.
District officials have not yet com- !
pleted their study of the full effects
of the changes made in the bill by 1
the House.
Schools Appear Badly Hit.
The schools and the public welfare
and health departments appeared to
have been badly hit.
The heaviest blow dealt the public
ichool system was in the treatment
of the item for teachers’ salaries, ac
cording to the members of the Board
of Eduction. They regard reductions
made by the House Subcommittee for
teachers salaries far more serious than I
loss of the character education experi
ment or failure to receive funds for
reeded land purchases for expansion.
The schools have been short of
teachers for 10 years or more. In
1927, according to Dr. Frank W. Bal
lou, superintendent, the need was for
876 additional teachers, merely to re
duce the size of congested classes.
Bince that time, with a comparatively
email expansion in physical facilities,
273 additional teachers have been
supplied. That left a shortage at the
beginning of the year of 603.
Asked 234 Instructors.
The board did not ask that all ,
these places be filled, but did request
that provision be made for 234 new
Instructors. The Budget Bureau cut
this figure to 55 and recommended
that Congress appropriate for that
number. The subcommittee, headed
by Representative Blanton, Democrat,
_ f rr-i i i i, _ . .
oiuoucu uuao uumuc:, supply
lng the minimum number necessary to
take care of additional school rooms,
allowing none for the relief of exist
ing congestion.
Fifteen were provided to staff the
new wing at Anacostia Junior-Senior
High School; four will join the faculty
at the new Woodrow Wilson High
School; two will take new classes at
Cardoza, and the others will go to
Eliot and Randall junior high schools.
At the same time, a surplus fund
ef $46,000 accumulated by employing
new teachers at minimum salaries to
replace veteran teachers who reUred
©r otherwise left the service was taken
away from the board.
The board and school officials are
hopeful the character education ap
propriation—$78,660—will be restored
in the Senate since Senator Cope
land, Democrat, of New York was the
original sponsor of the legislation that
set up the trial studies here. He was
successful last year in having the fund
restored in the Senate bill after the
House had eliminated it. It was the
conference negotiation on this point
that resulted in the now famous "red
rider.”
From the beginning educators and
Senator Copeland agreed that the
character education experiment would
be worthless unless it could be carried
on for at least three years. It is in
its second year now.
The board expects to take care of
additional land purchases through the
proposed five-year building program
now being mapped. The Blanton bill
did grant one item tor buildings not
requested, the proposed addition to
Eastern High School. For this, $353,
000 is provided, bringing the total to
$1,402,500, or just $353,000 more than
approved by thf Budget Bureau.
Cuts Belief Staff.
Of major importance is the House
action on the District relief adminis
tration. The bill reduces the stall
from 230 to 140. maiking drastic
slashes In pay for individual officials
and workers. The salary of Miss Alice
i
Errors and Half-Truths
Analysis of Subcommittee Report Reveals Flimsy, Inconsistent Argument for Lump Sum Reduction.
The House has passed the District bill with the National contri
bution to Capital City expenses reduced to the new low figure of
$2,700,000—a reduction of $3,000,000 under the current lump sum.
The reduction of the lump sum was based on the following
argument, as quoted from the committee report:
With the existing low tax rate of only $1.50 per $100 upon a de
creased assessment value; with a gasoline tax of only 3 cents on the
gallon; with an annual registration and license tag tax of only $1 on
each car and truck regardless of make or value; with a low water charge
of only $6.60 per year per average family; with all libraries and family
wearing apparel, regardless of value, exempt from taxes; with each
family allowed an exemption of $1,000 of household furniture; with all
trees in front of residences furnished, sprayed, pruned, and replaced
without charge therefor; with no income tax, no estate tax, no gift tax,
no inheritance tax, no sales tax, no special school tax; with a tax of only
one-half of 1 per cent on intangibles; with many millions of dollars of
intangibles in lock-boxes not now reached upon which no tax is paid
until wills are filed after death disclosing same; with no charge for sewer
service after once installed; with no charge on abutting property owners
for repaving streets and sidewalks in front of their property, and many
other advantages enjoyed by citizens of the District of Columbia, by
reason of Govememnt institutions being maintained in Washington,
which the citizens of the States do not possess, the subcommittee hav
ing this bill in charge was unanimous in recommending the reduction
of the' annual Federal contribution.
The Federal contribution for the fiscal year 1936 amounted to
$5,700,000. The sum recommended in the bill is $2,700,000.
The admitted evidence of the District Commissioners before the
committee has convinced it that the local residents of the District of
Columbia, under the provisions of this bill, will pay less taxes on their
property, respectively, than the people elsewhere pay in any other
city of comparable size anywhere in the United States.
Many of the above statements are manifestly incomplete, and
some of them are wholly incorrect. To illustrate these errors,)
{here follows a sentence-by-sentence quotation from the committee
report (which is printed in black-faced type), and a statement
of the real facts in the case beneath each quotation.
The $1.50 Tax Rate.
Said the committee report:
“With the existing low tax rate of only $1.50 per $100 upon a decreased
assessment value.”
The facts:
The tax rate on real estate and tangible personal property was reduced
from $1.70 to $1.50 In the fiscal year 1934 at the particular, specific insistence
of Mr. Blanton and Representative Buchanan, chairman of the House Appropria
tionsCcmmittee. The reduction was due primarily to a 25 per cent arbitrary cut in
the appropriation total, occasioned by a Federal economy wave. Maintenance of
the $1.70 rate and the heavy slash in appropriations would have created a surplus
in 1934 of more than $6,000,000. Even with the cut. it then was figured the sur
plus would amount to $3,400,000. Needs for which appropriations were denied
piled up unmet, to be cared for in future years.
The Congressional Record tells a graphic story of the Blanton and
Buchanan recognition that properties here are assessed at full fair market
value, while in other cities taxes are paid on assessments of far less. Buchanan
said assessments elsewhere were but half of market value.
Blanton’s Stand in 1933 Is Recalled.
Blanton is quoted in the record of April 5, 1933: “The committee that
framed this bill has been criticized for not putting a provision in the bill
directing the Commissioners to reduce the tax rate. That would be legislation.
The Committee on Appropriations cannot legislate. •••Iam one of those who
is assuming that the Commissioners will perform their duty, which they owe
to the people they represent here, and I am assuming that when this bill
becomes law the Commissioners themselves will*enter an order fixing the tax
rate at $1.50. lowering it from $1.70, which they are authorized to do by the
law and by the savings we have made in this bill.”
Buchanan declared, in the same debate: “As my colleague has said, the
tax rate is SI.70 on the fair full valuation of real estate. In my home State
and in yours, when property is assessed for taxation purposes, it is assessed
at about 50 per cent of its fair value and taxes. Here the property is assessed
at full value and the tax rate of $1.70 is paid on the full value. This is an
exorbitant and unreasonable tax on real estate in this District. There are
thousands of poor people attempting to buy homes in the District and for
them to be required to pay $3.40 per $100 in taxes on the valuation of these
homes according to the way property would be assessed in other States of the
Union, is too much.”
The "decreased assessment value” mentioned by the report merely
reflected the falling values of property during the depression.
Gasoline Taxes.
The committee said:
“With a gasoline tax of only 2 cents on the gallon."
The facts:
Gasoline taxes are collected from motorists to pay the cost of highway
improvements, of which the motorists are recognized as excessive users and the
greatest beneficiaries. If a State is lacking seriously In good roads. It needs
large sums of money to improve its highways, and Its gasoline tax rate must
be high. If the State's highway system is already well developed, the amount |
of money needed for highway improvement will be comparatively small, and 1
the gasoline tax rate may be low. The gasoline tax rate is based upon the
varying conditions in the different States, and the rate paid In one State
has no bearing whatever upon the rate which should be paid in another
State.
Since gasoline tax funds under the law may be used only for highway
improvements, no more money should be raised by such tax than is needed
and used for such improvements. By its acts Congress has in eflect said that
under the 2-cent rate District motorists have already paid more than enough
to meet the District’s need of highway improvements
The committee itself has refused to appropriate the full proceeds of the
present gasoline tax to meet District highway and bridge needs. The appropri
ation bill, even after appropriating funds for starting replacement of old Chain
Bridge, would leave a gasoline revenue surplus of $317,130. In other words,
more gasoline tax money is paid by taxpayers than Congress will appropriate
now. Gasoline revenues in the past three fiscal years and this year each
exceed $2,000,000.
The United States does not pay any, gasoline tax. The gasoline tax has
no bearing on the Federal contribution to the general tax fund, from which
revenues are appropriated for most of the Capital City expenses—schools. !
health, police and fire departments, parks, etc. A surplus in the gasoline tax
fund is of no benefit to local taxpayers, representing money collected from 1
them in excess of what Congress will appropriate.
Autos Assessed and Taxes Paid.
The committee said:
“With an annual registration and license tag tax of only $1 on each
car and truck, regardless of the make or value."
The facts:
Under an act of February 18. 1929, the personal property tax on
automobiles, at the rate of $1.50 per $100, has been levied and collected at
the time the license plates are issued. The motor vehicle tax amounted to
$548,059 In 1936. The committee proposes salary appropriations for the
Traffic Department of $69,600, and an additional $63,000 for traffic lights,
marking of traffic lines, etc. Even adding the cost of the signal operations,
the tax far exceeds operating costs of the department.
In connection with the personal property tax on automobiles (which, of
course, is not paid by Government vehicles), the gasoline tax was originally
proposed and indorsed by local citizens and the Commissioners with the
understanding that the gasoline tax would be substituted for the personal
property tax on automobiles. The substitution was never made. The gasoline
tax merely became a new tax.
Water System.
The committee said:
“With a low water charge of only $6.60 per year per average family.”
The facts:
The District water system was originally built to supply water to Federal
buildings, local residents being permitted to tap the mains, paying for water
used. Later the system was developed with the United States and the District
contributing equally. Later still, the expenses for maintenance were placed
entirely on the District water taxpayers, while development expenses were
divided, 60 per cent from the District, 40 per cent from the National Govern
ment. Later still the entire expense for improvement and maintenance of water
supply and water distribution systems was placed on water taxpayers, the
I United States obtaining all of its water free. The District of Columbia water
taxpayers and general taxpayers have invested more in the water system than
the United States; pay all the expenses of the system with no Federal contribu
tion; supply the FWeral departments with free water. Lbw water rates repre
sent taxpayers’ return on heavy investment in water system spread over many
years.
A recent financial statement on Water Department construction shows
that through 1930 there had been spent for construction and maintenance on
supply and distribution systems a total of $33,317,653.
Of this amount the United States contributed $12,410,739.
The District water users, through general taxes and water rents, con
tributed $40,906,913.
Tax Exemptions.
The committee said:
"With all libraries and family wearing apparel, regardless of value,
exempt from taxes.”
The facts:
■Die general practice among cities is to exempt wearing apparel from
personal property taxation. Libraries which are either absolutely private or
absolutely public and not used for commercial gain are exempt here, in
keeping with the practice of many cities.
The committee said further:*
“With eaeh family allowed an exemption of $1,090 of household furniture.”
The facts:
Cities vary widely in the amount of exemptions granted for household
furniture. Some cities have lower exemptions than $1,000. The figure used
here helps particularly the family with small Income and holdings. Per
sonal property tax collections in 1935 amounted to $2,949,365. The peak was
$4,007,482 in 1930, before effects of the depression wiped out many personal ■
holdings.
. Tree Service hid For.
The committee said:
“With all trees In front of residences furnished, sprayed, pruned and re
placed without charge therefor.”
The facts: '
Trees are NOT furnished free. The cost of trees and tree service comes
out of general revenues. The appropriation In Mr. Blanton's bill this year
Is $126,600 for trees and parking. y
District Highly* Taxed.
The committee said:
“With no income tax, no estate tax, no gift tax, no Inheritance tax, no
sales tax, no special school tax.”
The facts:
Methods of taxation are chosen, in other communities, by the local tax
payers themselves. In the District Congress determines exclusively the methods
of taxation. The significant point is not the nature of the taxes, but the yield
from taxation. Census Bureau figures (1932) show that Washington’s TOTAL
TAX LEVY per capita, with interest payments on bonded debt deducted (an item
which should be deducted in comparing city tax burdens as the dhiount of
debt depends on a variety of non-comparable elements), is higher than that
of 10 cities of comparable population. The cities are Minneapolis, Louisville,
Seattle, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Kansas City, Portland, Buffalo, San Francisco
and Cincinnati. If Washington is compared with the two cities which most
closely approximate it in population, the following results are produced:
Per capita
Beal property Total property total tax
levy- levy. levy.
Washington.$20,853,763 $27,468,761 $55 83
Minneapolis. 20,059,251 24,259,619 50 36
New Orleans.. 14,736,037 19,801,490 41.73
Fair comparisons show Washington’s tax burden high in relation to the
tax burden of other cities.
Higher Intangible Tax Gets Leas.
The committee said:
“With a tax of only one-half of 1 per cent on intangibles.”
The facts:
Experience in other Jurisdictions has proved that to boost the levy on
intangibles is only to drive intangible holdings into hiding. Middle West States
tried it and found intangible tax returns dropped sadly.
Hidden lntanriblea.
The committee said:
“With many millions of dollars of Intangibles In lock-boxes not now
reached, upon which no tax is paid until wills are filed after death, disclosing
same.”
The facts:
Hiding of intangibles from taxation is a problem with which assessors
and collectors struggle in every State and city. The most recent Census Bureau
study of intangible tax returns, based on the national per capita comparisons
showed the District stood second only to Pennsylvania in listings of intangibles
for taxation purposes, and was second only by a slight margin. Whatever this
problem amounts to it can be practically solved soon by a provision of the
new Federal Income tax reporting system, requiring preparation of the “green
sheet’’ copies of all listing of Intangibles, which will be made available to the
assessors for their use. By this means any hidden stocks, bonds and other
reportable intangibles can be found. The checking starts April X. The same
information will be available to assessing officials of all States.
Washington’s receipts from the intangible personal property tax have been
unusually high in relation to similar collections elsewhere, so productive, in fact,
as to have raised the question whether the sometimes proposed local income tax
(as a substitute) would yield as much. The returns for recent years follow:
1923 —--*1,723.443 1930 _ *2 619 671
1926 . 2 057.343 1932 . 2.383 599
1928 .. 2,378.569 1935 ... 2,052,800
Taxes Pay for Sewer Service Also.
The committee said:
"With no charge for sewer service after onoe installed.”
» The facts:
There is. definitely, a charge. It Is not assessed against the individual,
but is a charge against District general revenues, the same as costs of schools,
the free Public Library and other general operations. The Sewer Department
appropriation in Mr. Blanton’s bill is $1,005,741.
The committee said:
“With no charge on abutting property owners for repaving streets and
sidewalks in front of their property.”
The facts:
Virtually all highway improvements are financed out of the gasoline
tax funds, to which the Federal Government contributes nothing. Once there
has been a special assessment levied against abutting property owners when
streets are opened or widened, succeeding costs for improvements to the same
streets are charged against the gasoline tax funds and the general revenue
account. Very many streets have heavy and costly type of pavements, needed
to stand up under the heavy pounding of general traffic, as distinguished from
the purely neighborhood need. Their benefit and use are more city-wide than
otherwise. Their cost would be exorbitant if assessed only against abutting
property owners. The cost of street maintenance and improvement is borne ,
nuxivsob cuuici; VJ JlAOl
Capital City’s Extraordinary Demands.
The committee said:
"And many other advantages enjoyed by citixens of the District of
Columbia, by reason of Government institutions being maintained in Wash
ington. which the citixens of the States do not possess.”
The facts:
Because this is the National Capital many municipal functions are more
costly, improvements are ordered by Congress on a more lavish scale, main- I
tenance costs are higher than would otherwise be the case or than is the
case with cities of comparable size not being developed as "the most beautiful
city of the world.”
On the other hand, there are specific obligations of the United States |
(recognized in unrepealed substantive law; to contribute to the support of the
Capital of the United States.
In this connection may be mentioned:
1. The extensive real estate holdings of the National Government which 1
are tax exempt. The value of such holdings is estimated by Assessor Rich
ards at $550,000,000. If this property were taxed the yield would be about
$8.250,000—an increase of $5,550,000 over the amount carried in the District
bill. It is not necessary to contend that the Federal property should be actually
taxed. The suggestion is strong, however, of an equitable contribution in lieu
of taxation.
The excessive amount of property, Federal and privately owned, exempt
from taxation because this is the Nation’s Capital. The value of this property
is estimated at $711,179,881— about 46 per cent of the total valuation of property
in the District. The taxable fraction must bear the entire expense of munici
pal maintenance and development of the whole area.
Washington's excessive street area, the fact that no large industries are
permitted here because this is the Nation's Capital and the fact that the
District’s boundaries are non-extensible, preventing enlargement of the
taxable area, are other factors to be weighed in considering the local tax
payers’ peculiar disabilities.
2. The obligation of the National Government to contribute to the
Capital is also based on its absolute control of the city. Obligation follows
power, including the obligation springing from the conditions surrounding the
founding of the city.
3. The obligation springing from demands of patriotic pride in tjie
Capital. When the Nation shirked its obligations the Capital was a national
disgrace. When the Nation met its obligation the Capital became an object
of national pride.
4. The obligation based upon the heavy internal revenue taxes paid by
Washingtonians as national taxpayers, which, for the fiscal year 1935 amounted
to $12,638,144, an amount greater than that paid by each of twenty-three States
and more than the combined revenues of nine States. If the United States
returned to the District, as the Federal contribution, the taxes paid by the
District in internal revenue, the amount would more than quadruple the pro
posed lump-sum payment of $2,700,000. Paying to the District a Federal
contribution of $2,700,000, there would still remain in the Federal Treasury
$9,938,124 in revenue taxes collected from the District, available for distribu
tion elsewhere. Some of the States receive annually from the United States
Treasury millions of dollars in bounties and subsidies over and above the
amount they pay into the Treasury in national taxes.
me committee saia:
'‘The admitted evidence of the District Commissioners before the commit
tee has convinced it that the local residents of the District of Columbia, under
provisions of this bill, will pay less Uses on their property, respectively, than
the people elsewhere pay in any other city of comparable size anywhere in the
United States.”
The facts:
What this admitted evidence may be is not stated in the report. The
Commissioners are usually guided altogether, in respect to relative tax bur
dens,. by the advice of Assessor Richards. Assessor Richards has summarized
as follows his conclusions, based on thorough investigations of his own of
taxes paid elsewhere, as regards the tax burden of local property owners:
1. "While other cities, by law, have requirements of full value in property
assessments, in actual practice the assessments average but 50 per cent of full
value, as shown in statements of tax officials of the cities.
2. “District assessments are as-near 100 per cent as it is possible to go. as
Illustrated in a table comparing actual sales made here with the assessments
against the same properties. '
3. "The District leads the field of the cities studied in the amount of
property exempted from taxation, the total here being three times as large
is in 14 of the cities.
4. “Tax burdens of other cities are boosted by the existence of huge city
iebts which draw heavily on revenues for interest and principal, whereas
Washington has followed a pay-as-you-go practice and has no debt except
For the $5,500,000 advanced by the P. W. A. recently.”
And, finally, that while the District has the lowest tax rate of any of
She cities with which it is compared:
"The conclusion is that the District, in paying its present rate on full
ralue, carriea the same tax burden as illustrated in the average of other cities
vhere the rate is double and the base one-half that of the District."
Hill, relief director, Is cut in the bill
from $5,000 to $3,500; Miss May
Hankins, assistant director, from
$4,400 to $3,000; Research Director
Leroy A. Halbert, $4,400 to $2,500,
and Business Manager Prank Norton,
$3,800 to $2,000.
The social service staff would be cut
from 105 to 59, doubling the number
i
of cases for which workers are
responsible. The size and total sal
aries of employes in the business ad
ministration, which handles disburs
ing, auditing and accounting also were
cut about SO per cent.
Officials have found in the past an
adequate relief administration staff
saves money by preventing waste of
1
relief through inadequate adminis
tration.
The Home bill eliminated the posi
tion of insurance supervisor in the
relief staff, saving $1,600. Officials
have reported in past months that
thousands of dollars in insurance had
been saved by the work of this agency
for destitute families who thought
4
their policies had lapsed.
To save $1,260, the House bill elim
inates allowance for a telephone oper
ator at the Child Welfare Division
office in the May Building. If the
position is lost some worker having
higher salary will have to take over
the telephone operation.
For the Workhouse and Reforma
'V; -- ' **'••
i
tory, the House bill sliced $7,500 off
additional personnel allowed by the
Budget Bureau. These were three
guards, a nurse and a junior stenog
rapher. Since the House approved 0
of 12 additional guards proposed by
the bureau, the worst effect there will
be the Joss of the $l,620-a-year nurse.
The penal institutions have a hospital
with but one physician who now cares
for sick prisoners, and sometimes per
forms operations, with the assistance
of prison help only.
Without explanation, the House bUl
reduces by $25,000 appropriations
needed for medical charities, sums paid
to private hospitals under contract
with the District to care for indigent
patients assigned by the Board of
Public Welfare. The increased need
is supported by larger deficiencies than
the $25,000 which have piled up this
fiscal year.
Would Close Hospital.
The House bill provides for a shut
down of the old Tuberculosis Hos
pital, Fourteenth and Upshur streets,
next January 1, although the Budget
Bureau allowed funds for its opera
tion throughout the next fiscal year.
The Blanton Subcommittee gave the
reason that by next January there
would be in operation the new adult
tuberculosis sanatorium and the addi
tions to the Children’s Sanatorium at
Glenn Dale, Md. Medical leaders de
clare the problem cannot be meas
ured merely by the present waiting
list of tuberculosis patients since hun
dreds of additional hospital cases are
being developed from the case-find
in O’ cnrvpv rnnrlnotnH ax « txr n *
project.
To effect a saving of $15,500 In
sanatorium administration the House
bill provides for that amount of cuts
jn salaries of medical supervisors and
the dropping of three of seven posi
tions. The pay of hospital superin
tendent, Dr. J. Winthrop Peabody, Is
cut from $7,500 to $5,000.
Twelve additional nurses and two
attendants were granted for Gallinger
Hospital as recommended by the Budr
get Bureau, but the House sliced the
salary of the superintendent. Dr. Edgar
A. Bocock, from $7,500 to $6,500 and
employment of a social service worker
at $2,600 was refused. The social
worker would be engaged to check on
home conditions of indigent patients
before their discharge.
The bill puts a definite crimp into
plans for improvement of the Health
Department tuberculosis and venereal
disease work, the Nursing Bureau,
school medical inspection and the de
partment's laboratories, reducing the
Budget Bureau total estimates of
$507,970 by $23,800.
Medical Inspectors Denied.
Eight additional school medical in
spectors were sought by the depart
ment. The Commissioners allowed
four and this number was granted by
the Budget Bureau. The House
eliminates them. ' They would be
paiPtime physicians at $1,500 a year
each. The department now has 14
inspectors to prevent spread of com
municable and infectious disease
among 93,000 school children. The
Board of Education some months ago
urged extension of the service in
keeping with practices in other large I
cities. So-called complete physician
examinations now are given to kin
dergarten and first grade pupils. School
authorities urged similar examina
tions for all pupils entering District
schools for the first time. Such a
Droeram U’ftlllH rpnnira aHHitinnol
physicians.
The House bill also would deprive
the department of all four of its gener
al supervisors, leaving 14 operators to
treat teeth ailments of 93,000 children.
The department also would lose two
of its sanitary inspectors. The House
cut out $1,500 from a proposed $3,300
sum for replacing worn-out labora
tory equipment.
14 Workers Eliminated.
For operation of the District’s sew
age treatment plant at Blue Plains,
to be placed in service in August, the
House bill cut $33,192 from the budget
estimate, eliminating 14 employes and
disallowing some $16,000 from esti
mated costs of electricity, repairs,
tools and supplies. Officials say they
cannot operate the plant with 14
men less than the bureau allowed
and must meet prices for power and
materials as quoted.
The House cut $25,000 from esti
mates for the Refuse Department,
most of the cut applying to opera
tion of the two city incinerators, al
though the plants must be operated
longer periods than last year because
trash from apartments and hotels no
longer may be dumped in Virginia.
Charees to residents for nronertv
surveys, required by law, may have
to be increased 100 per cent as a
result of a rider attached to the
House bill stipulating that appropria
tions for salaries in the surveyor’s
office shall not exceed receipts of the
office. This would mean that prop
erty owners having surveys made
would pay the cost of extensive work
dope by the office for the Federal and
District Governments. The salary ap
propriation for this year was *79.000.
Receipts list year amounted u> *35,
000. Work done last year for the
Federal Government was estimated to
amount to at least *5,000 and for the
District government at least *10,000.
Many District officials would have
to give up outside work if Congress
approves another rider in the House
bill providing that salaries may not
be paid to officials or employes mak
ing *2,400 a year or more who en
gaged in any outside business or pro
fession.
While this was aimed especially at
employes of the Health Department,
it would hit many others, including
the District coroner, the six police
and Are surgeons and several Dis
trict Govemihent attorneys who have
night teaching posts.
-1—•
Brazil Prices Jump.
Between January, 1934, and Janu
ary, 1935, retail prices of meat in Rio
de Janeiro rose 11.per cent; of vege
tables. 20 per cent; lard, 54 per cent,
and beans, 120 per cent.
Worms Turn Over Soil.
The earthworm turn* the soil over
by swallowing Jt and then discharg
ing It again at the surface in tha
form of worm casts. Huge quantities
of soil are thus turned over annually.
Belgium Has Many Canals.
Belgium, as well as Holland, has a
highly developed river and canal sys
tem providing not only cheap trans
port but relieving the congestion as
well.
Phosphate in French Morocco.
French Morocco mines phosphate
rock on a large scale.
I
I Like watches — diamonds — gold
teeth and old, discarded jewelry.
For over 50 years we have been
buying old gold and paying 8P0T
CASH.
I Specializing in
Small Lots of
LUMBER
FOR HOME REPAIRS
At J. Frank Kelly’s you can
buy just the lumber and mill
work you need for those re
pair jobs. We also carry
hardware, paints, sand,
gravel, cement, etc. And you
can buy in the quantities you
will need... start your home
improvement work now. Free
estimates and suggestions.
Free Delivery
Anywhere
^ELLY
E Lumber and Miliwork
m 2121 Ga. Ave.
Vk_ NOrth 1341
HOI-WAItH
HEAT *i,h
PROGRESSIVE
OIL BURNERS
[To* ran buy frotrrstin 011 1
Burners and nay for same I
monthly at Potomac Electric I
Power Co. * J
ft <W |
Combination
For As Low As
PER MONTH
NO MONEY DOWN
HOT-WATERTEAT]
As Low as_ *285!
FREE ESTIMATES AT
YOUR CONVENIENCE
ECONOMY &
906 10th St. N.W. Mat. 2132
1
|-CAPEHART-1
Radio-Phonograph Combination
! I Combining the world's finest music of oil types—recordings 1
| famous artists and organizations—with unexcelled radio
reception, the Copehart is indispensable in homes where
good music is apprecated and cultivated.
The Copehart automatically plays 20 recordings—40 selec
tions in correct sequence—playing whole symphonies,
operas, concertos and lengthy mixed programs.
VISIT OUR CAPEHART SALON
t
ENJOY A MUSICAL PROGRAM OF YOUR OWN SELECTION
ON THIS TRULY MARVELOUS INSTRUMENT
DROOP'S • 1300 G
STEIN WAY PIANOS
H
»
. Le-roof
ight over the old shingles
S AVE all the labor expense, avoid
dirt-littered lawns and attic, don’t ex
pose the interior of your home to the
weather. We can lay Genasco Latite
Shingles right over the old roof. Let
the worn-out shingles act as extra in
sulation—keeping your home cooler in
summer and warmer in winter.
Made of tough, long-fibered asphalt
—saturated rag felt. Genasco Latite
Shingles are also coated on both sides
with Trinidad Lake Asphalt Cement—
nature’s own waterproofer. They are
weather-resistant, fire-retardant, long
lasting, and finished in four beautiful
non-fading colors—Red, Green, Blue
Black, Mixtone . . . and are GUAR
ANTEED unconditionally for TEN
YEARS!
Genasco Latite Shingles are particu
larly adapted for laying over old roofs.
• They have an invisible patented “key”
that locks each shingle tightly to those
underneath.
Terms—If Desired
Free Estimates—ANYWHERE
Enterprise Roofing Co.
2125 Rhode Island Ave. N.E. POtomac 0200
General Offices, 119 Light St., Baltimore.
mSSSSSSmmmsmmimmm——‘
f 1