Evening Star Newspaper, December 3, 1923, Page 4

Gen. Beach Asks A ppropriation . For Aqueduct Bridge Removal Says Completion of Key Structure Renders Old One Useless—-Explains Anacostia Park Progress. Owing to the probable completion ©f the Francls Scott Key bridge in the early part of the next fiscal year, Gen. Beach says it is no longer necessary to continue repair work on the Aqueduct bridge. He recom- mends that Congress make an appro- priation of $155,000 for the removal of the old structure. With that money, Gen. Beach 1t posed to remove all of old Aqueduct bridge lying between the abutments of the new Francis Scott Key bridge. This will include two large masonry rest plers and six smaller inter- mediate masonry plers and the steel spans and bridge deck above them, the abutment at the Virginia end and the riprap stone placed around the piers to protect them from dam- age. The masonry work and riprap stone will be removed to a depth of about twenty to twenty-two feet be- low mean lo: er to provide ample ter cro ctional area for the passage of and running i Inciuded in t b T a earthen ap- f about one says for hundred feet. May Save Rock. Gen. Beach points out that If the desired appropriatio nade within the next year it utillze most of the T 10 be recovered, in building seawall foundations In Anacostia Park, and save about $30,000 in the transaction. He adds that he knows of no avall- able market for the stone at this tim There is a balanc 114,527 av. sble for the completion of the #is Scott Key bridge, and no more funds are required. When the bridge fs completed it will be transferred to the jurisdiction of the District Commisaioners. Referring to the efs fect of the improvement, Gen. Beach says: “The former congestion of vehicular trafic over the old bridge has been eliminated and a large increase in the number of vehicles passing be- tween Rosslyn, Va., and Georgetown, | D. C, has been noted. This Is due to expediting passenger trafic and to raising the former restrictions on the loads of commercial vehicles. In this way the District of Columbla b profited by the easy and direct means of communicat ith the rafiroad yards {n Rosslyn, Va. During periods of ceremonies In the District of Co- lumbia the bridge has facilitated the movement of traffic to Arlington and other points of national interest in Virginia. Since the opening of the bridge land values i lvn, Va., have increased to a large t and an increase in commercial activities has also been noted.” Anncostia Park Work. In a chapter devoted to Anacostia Park the report shows that $1.577, has been expended » date on project adopted in 1918 and that it is &bout 40 per cent completed. Tt estimated that it will cost § to complete the project. Oper: to date av been confined to section of the Anacostia valley tween the mouth of the Benning bridge and have malnly ‘of dredging in the channels and lakes and constructing the wall. A special report is to be mitted to Congress at an early be- consisted day showing the necessity for continuing | operations above the Benning bridge under certajn modifications of the original project. At. the latest session of Congress a resolution was passed usking for definite information on that particular subject. For continuing the work in progress below Benning bridge, Gen. Beach is pro- 749 | the | to mair { costia { bridges have protita says that $370,000 can be profitably expended during the coming flacal year in additfon to an unexpended balance of $147,251 on June 30, 19 An additional {tem of $50,000 {s con tained in the report for the recrea- tion section of Anacostia Fark e 1 alons the south bank between | the Anacostia and Pennsylvania Ave- 1 bridges. An appropriation of 550,000 is available for initial work on the recreation park. Benefit to Navigation. Regarding the effact of the Anacos- tia river improvement to date, Gen. Beach says: gation has been benefited, as! deep-draft vessels now use the area between the Anacostia and Pennsyl- vania avenue bridges. The city side of this area hay been set apart for! commereial purposes. This, in a meas- | ure, will relieve the crowded condi- tion in the Washington channel. This area is also used as a vacht harbor, | relieving crowded eonditions in the E ston harbor. Community gar- | ch improve the land and the growth of weeds and underbrush, were allotted on portions of the reclaimed arex by agents of the Department of Agriculture. under authority granted to such agents by the chief of engineers. Sanltary con- ditlons in the area betwecn the Ana- | and Pennsylvania railroad | been improved. Sec- tlons A and B, known as Bolling Fleld, have been set aside for use as a military reservation to be used for | ation purpose 1o report states that the ftem of 900 for the improvement of Rock k-Potomac parkway is intended ae a fund with which to start opera- tions for clearing up that area and preparing it for actual development. It is described as “essential.” Increane for Park. The item of $75,000 for Rock Creek Park represents an increase ot $45.000 over the current appropria- tion, but is said to be needed in muking improvements essential to the best use of the park, Regarding the jtem of $7 Meridlan Hill park. Gen. B 2 “This estimate represents an Increase of $50.000 over the amount of the current appropriation and it is be- lieved essential. This office in recent vears has been endeavoring, so far flable funds permit, to make essentlal improvements in this park. which in its present condition is a; evesore in a highly developed sec- tion of the city. The policy has been to apply to improvements such funds as remain available over and above the amount absolutely needed for the maintenance of the park, but in veiw of the fact that the portion of the park which has already been fmprov- ed require increasingly large amount from year to vear for current maintenance, ~ the amount available i for improvement becomes correspond- ingly less, with the result that at the present time practically one half of the current appropriation is devoted work. It is obvious will be unable to appreciable prog: in the accomplishment of the project for this park for many years to come un- lexs an additional amount is provided for improvement work." Doundary Line Survey. interesting item in the list of hie expenditures s $5,000 to the oSt of & Burvey to estab- lish the boundary line between the District of Columbia and the state of Virginia. between Chain bridge and Jones Point, Alexandria, and the lo- cation of monuments. “This item fs submitted,” says Gen. Beach, “withd view to securing authority for the es- tablishment of the houndary line be- at An ove: tween the points indicated in the above langua Investigations made by PROBE U. S. WORKERS’ POLITICAL ACTIVITIES Civil Service Commissioners Ex- amine 295 Charges—Find 112 Needed Discipline. ‘The United Stal Civil S8ervice Commission during the last fiscal year considered 296 cases of alleged pro- hibited political activity upon the part of classified civil service em- ployes, of which 109 were closed without other action, the investiga- tion falling to establish political ae- tivities within the meaning of that term, it was announced last night. Disciplinary action was taken in 112 cases and in lieu thercof twelve of- fending employes wero permitted to resign. There are sixty-three cas: awalting the results of investigations. The majority of those against whom disciplinary action was taken {had been found gullty of transport- ing votera to polls, serving on ele: tion boards, publicly discussing po- litical {ssues and displaying campaign posters and literature, all of which constitute political activity within the meannig of the law. The prohibition against political activity in civil service employes does not restrict their right to vote or to express privately their opinions on political “subjects. They may not, however, take an active part in po- litical management or in political cempalgns. By far the greater number of em- ployes against whom charges were made were fourth-class postmasters and rural carriers. The commission gratlfying to note that the charges of political activity are relatively small in number when compared with the number of classified employes. states that it is this office indicate that approximate- 1y 400 acres of valuable land could Le recovered by the accomplishment of the proposed survey, the value of such land being far more than suf- ficient to pay the expense of the sur- vey. Furthermore, the establishment of a definite boundary line between these points would obviate, or at least reduce, the expense of litiga- tion which would othérwise be in- curred in the settling of boundary disputes. In asking $20.000 for widening the Inlet bridge, West Potomac Park, Gen. Beach says: “This work is re quired to provide for the St dation of traffic using the driveway between East and West Potomac Park. At the present time the roadway of the TInlet bridge is barely wide enough for two cars to pas account of the limited area both on the bridge and proaches thereto, is stant danger to persons occupying vehicles p: ing thereover. The bridge can be widened at compara- tively &mall expense, and it is be- lleved that the work should be under- taken immediatel In reference to the item of $£0,000 for the improvement of various small park areas, Gen. Beach says: “This oftice has istantly recommended that appropriations for this purpose be increased to un amount which will provide for necessary work in the improvement and care of the small ark reservations. The extension of mprovements of private property in recent vears has surrounded a num- ber of these small reservations with privately-owned estates in a high condition of improvement. making it ential that the reservations in thesa districts be at least brought to a condition where they will be upon a par with the surroundings. The limited amount of funds heretofore approprated for this purpose has pre- cluded the possibility of making such needed improvement —_— Miss Ellen Terry, who recent! ebrated her seventy-fifth birthday, the sole great survivor of-one of the greatest periods of the English stage —a day that knew Charles Kean, Henry Irving, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and a number of others of al- most_equal fame. at the ap- source of con- Pressing District Legislation Needs in This Session Outlined Sewers and Paving, Parks, Merger Held Urgent. Teachers’ Pay Bill, Water Pressure, Advocated. BY REPRESENTATIVE FREDERICK N. ZIHLMAN, Republican, of Maryland, Member of the House District Committer. It is to be hoped that a compre- hensive plan of development for the District of Columbia will be consid- ered and acted upon during the en- suing mession of Congress, and from the interest that has been manifested in local affairs by the members of Congress arriving in Washington, it is apparent that District legislation and plans for municipal development will recelve the careful consideration of our national lawmakers. | First and foremost should be placed | the need for additional appropriations for extension of sewer and water mains, hundreds of homes in the outlying sections of the city are t |day without these conveniences which have come to be regarded a vital| necessity in the development of a modern eity and in safeguarding the health of i he appropria- tions n during the cur- entirely inade- plan should be devised that will enable the Commissioners to extend the present system, so that every home in the city will have this ervice, to which all are entitled. Street Paving Program. There can be no adequats reason advanced for failure to carry out a Kood elzed street paving program. Many of the streets of Washington are a disgrace to the city and in view of the fuct that the property owners and the District government pay 80 per cent of the cost of all new pav- ing, the representatives of the federal government should meet the requests made for street paving in a c erative spirit, and outline such a program as will take ecare of the many needs in this direction—satisfy the taxpayers and property owners and take up any slump in our local labor market w h may develop during the winter months. The present parking system should be extended and additional facilities provided for parks and playgrounds. The proposed park commission plan should recelve the careful consider- ation of Congress. Traction Merger Plan. Some plan should be worked out which will merge the existing street car companies in the District of Columbla, and give early relief to the car-riding public who have been pay- ing a half million dollars each year in_ excessive fares into the Treas- ury of one company in order that the rate of fare charged might yield a fair return to the other—so that each month this matter is neglected it costs car-rider: the class of citi- - zens of the District the least able to bear it, about $50,000. Under the existing system of accounting, the car-riders also pay the crossing po- licemen and for the paving between the car tracks, which is pald by the companies and computed as an item of expense and charged against the car-riding public. This is manifest- 1y unfair. T believe that the gasoline tax bill should be brought up and passed at as early a date as possible. “The inconvenience, annoyvance and expense entailed by the present sy tem should be ended, and it is grati- What Are You Doing With Your Christmas Saving Money? There is no investment you could make that would pay greater dividends in con- venience, comfort and pleasure than an investment in our $5 Down and $5 Per Week Special Used Car Sale Ask Yourself Why Our Sdle Has Been So Successfal Then Come in and See the Answer Among the Cars Left on Sale Are: Hupmobile Paige Cadillac Stutz Jord Davis Buick Tourings Most of these cars are Certified Gold Seal used cars. Did you ever a rebuilt hear of buying Detroit Electric Car With guaranteed battery for $5 down and $5 per week. Dodge some $10, $12, $15 and $20 per week. THE SALE IS ALMOST OVER Better Get Your Car Today STERRETT & FLEMING, INC. Main Champl-.in Street Office) at Kalorama Road Coupes Chandler Saxon Ford Branch Used Car Showroom ‘Open Evenings Every Car on Sale Carries Our 30- Day Guarantee They Are at Bargain Prices Detroit Electric lex Sedans Some have payments of $5 per week and §1931-33 14th Street REPRESENTATIVE fying to note that the Governor of Maryland has stated that while the anx t the District put tux such as will Maryland January 1, intention to mak; tve the first of the en in the abs of District This will put an end to & long-existing controversy and Con- gress should do its part In giving careful consideration to the bill pre- pared by the District Commigsioners, which will be Introduced at the open- ing sesslon of Congress.” 14th Street Extension. The plan for opening up 14th street and providing another avenue of entrance into the District for the thousands of Marylanders who have purchased hom in the northern section of the city who are now forced to depend entirely on the one-track car line on Georgia avenue, should be approved at this ses- #lon of Congress. This measure S re- ceived the indorsement of the Distrf Commission: the tary of War and the federal highw commission and at the last session of Congress the Senate v mously passed the measure authorizing the d ment. In view of its approval by the War Department, it is difficult to understand the opposi- tion under cover of some of the officers in the Medical Corps, who thus oppose ure judgment of the departme e bill providing fc his Music Cohe UO-ART REPRODUCING PIANO while there are @ number of reproducing an increase in | teachers” lealaries and ‘which unfor- tunately failed during the last session #hould be etarted on its way toward enactment at an early date. I ark mformed that the propomed new code of insurance laws for the District has been carefully considered and somewhat changed. The District committee, which reported this bill last session, will, T am sure, give caretul consideration to this measure also. The matter of a traffic court and additional traffic regulations has been conslderad for the past two years, not only by the committees of n gress but by the commission appoint- by the District officials, and it is hoped that this measure wiil be final- ly enacted during the Sixty-elghth Congress. Adequate appropriation should be made for the completion of the Con- duit filtration plant and water supply for the District, and the proposed high-pressure water system for the downtow section is of paramount importance, Congress should provide this—for not only I8 there a tremen- dous _investment of private capitil hut there arc 102 public buildings in this ar owned by the government and sixty-five privately owned build- ings rented by the government, all of which are fiiled with priccless rec- ords. Prudence and good business judgment should commend this plan and insure the Initial appropriation for starting the work. Alley House Problem. The matter of the discontinuance of alley dwellings in the District of Col- umbia, which has been postponed from time to time should be finally met by some plan looking to the early condemnation of these {nsan- itary sections which President Roose- velt stated were @ reproach to our pital city, and which Chief Jus- tice Taft referred to as “human pest holes” and sald that Congrass could not pe its rerponsibility for thelr existence. | The existing surplus in the Treas- lury of the United States to the cre {of the District should be made avail- fable for District needs under the | fixed apportionment plan, under which the sum was raised by ta tion, and this would enable the Dis tricf to meet many of its urgent problems and needs These are legislative ml"ernvvhnl occur to me to be urgent to Wash- inkton's future development and progress along the right lines—to- gether with many measures of minor fmportance which will demand the full time and unremitting attention of the two legislative committees and appropriation committees of Con- gress. —— Burglar Leaves Apology. After breaking into a co-operative store in England the other day and taking all easily removable goods and cash. a burglar left & note apologizing for his intrusion. He explained that he was gorry for what he had doné and left the note so that no reflection would be cast on the staff. He had | forced open a window to enter and fault. m explained no one's negligence was at | T Tae Zoo Surgeons Busy. In 2008 In the larger cities of the world the zoo surgeons, maintained to keep the animals in repair, are busier than ever, it is reported. Snakes fre- quently break their jaws and alli- gators engage in fights and get so badly ripped that they have to be repaired, sometimes with bandages and plaster of paris casts. Of all ani- mals the jaguar seems to fight most bitterly agalnst being echloroformed. Manicuring the tiger whose claws Erow to long and become ingrown, like toenails, 1s a very common sur- gical operation in big zoos. Make Your Home e ARTS CLUB PROGRAM. Orlental rugs will be the subject of discussion and exposition at the Arts Club tomorrow night. Mr. and Mrs. George Hewitt Myecrs will be hosts at the club dinner xt 7 o'clock, and after dinner members of the club and their guests will be addressed by Prof. A. Upham Pope of New York the history and distinguishing char- soteristics of the rugs of the orient. with {illustrations in the form of specimens of rare examples of the art from Mr. Myers' private colleo- tion, which is one of the most fm- portant and comp) in Beautiful Fondon Hall Thirteenth at M Street It’s the latest and best Apartment Residence in the National Capital. The downtown location and the compactly com- plete size of the Apartments are decidedly attractive advantages. There is a demand for just such Apartments as London Hall provides—and with Boss & Phelps thor- oughness of construction and taste. Living Room (with Wall Bed), Dressing Room, Bath, Kitchenette (with gas range, refrig- erator, dresser, etc.) Hardwood floors, effective finish and fixtures—shades and draperies to the windows. A fireproof building—with handsomely furnished lobby and all-night switchboard and elevator service. Inspect promptly — for are Ready for immediate gagements rapidly. occupancy. en- being made Boss & Phelps The Home of Homes 1417 K Street Phone Main 4340 (Member Washington Real Estate Board) first evening in your home after the Duo- Art Reproducing Piano has arrived! A new world of beauty, of enjoyment, of cultural development, opens to you and yours, that evening. You listen, almost in awe, as Paderewski, Hofmann or some other famous artist plays the great masterpieces.’ Tender memories stir your heart, as old ballads of your childhood live again under the of some great “poet of the keyboard. sympathetic touch » Your pulses quicken and your feet beat time as swing and sparkle far 1 \ Long before that evening finds its nothing you have ever purchased, or some master of syncopation plays modern dances with a nd the power of any amateur. < end, know that purchase, can give such rich returns in pure, inspiring pleasure as this wonder piano of the present day. Duo-Arts in the Steinway, Steck and Weber Grand Pianos are electrically operated and cost from 2085 upward. Duo-Arts in the Steinway, Steck, Stroud and Weber Upright Pianos— electric or ’ e foot operated cost from $695 upward. oAll Duo-Arts be bowght on the Aeolian : ! m of almost everyone. Liberal allowances made on pianos in exchange . 4 We Would Advise the Making of the Xmas Purchase at Once, as There is a Great Shortage of High-Class Instruments. THE DUO-ART IS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY IN WASHINGTON BY EMMONS S. SMITH O3 DeMOLL Payment Plan which their purchase within the DEMOLL PIANO (©.