Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1924, Page 18

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. (., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1924.' District of Columbia Has Witnessed Many Interesting Events Wilson Funeral, Defense Test, || PROMINENT IN DISTRICT PROGRESS DURING YEAR Holy Name Meet Loom in 1924 With Championship Base Ball Series Are Outstanding Events for Size of Crowds Attracted. During the Year Trade Bodies Give Big Impety:s To Many Capital Improver:ents Park Commission, Conduit Project, Me- morial Bridge and Schools Among Measures Supported. The funeral Woodrow of former President | promoted to lieutenant colonel in No- Tnauguration of several movements| Wilson, the observance of vember. The Washington Chamber the first National Defense day, the gathering in Washington of 100,000 members of the Holy Name Society in | annual convention and the world champlonship base ball games are the events that called forth | the largest crowds In 1894 in the a - tion's Capital | On Sunday morning, February 3, the | ie of the District and of the coun- | at large were moved to Sorrow by the news that the man who guided | the destiny of America through the) trying da: of the world war had | succumbed to his lingering illness. Perhaps the people of Washington felt the death of the former Presi- dent more keenly because they were his neighbors during the years of the war and afterward. Capital Pauses in Tribute. the afternoon of Wednesday, February 6, Washington paused in its dally routine while thousands of its residents lined the sidewalks of Mas- sachusetts avenue in silence as the funeral cortege passed from the Wil- son home on § street to the Episcopal Cathegral of SS. Peter and Paul at Mount St. Alban. There, in the utmost simplicity body was laid to rest in ary of Bethlehem Chapel. And in the succeeding months many persons have visited the cathedral honor the memory of Woodrow Wilson. 1 On September 12 Washington lived | up to its reputation for ional patriotism by turning out for a parade on Pennsvlvania avenue in observance of the Nation's first De- fense day test. It Is estimated that the District registered 12,000 one-day | volunteers in the test Reviewed by Coolidge. The parade was made more color- by the participation of marching | units from the Army, Navy and Ma | rine Corps and was reviewed by I'resident Coolidge, members of hi: cabinet and other high Government oflicials On Sunday afternoon, September 21, | Washington witnessed an impressive religious demonstration when 100,- 000~ members of the Holy Name| Society from various States of the Union gathered here and marched up J'ennsylvania avenue to the Monument Grounds, where they were addressed hy President Coolidge. The procession closed the three- day convention of the society, which was attended by 3,500 delegates. Election day, In November, served to emphasize the fact that Washing- tonians still are deprived of the right 10 vote for President and representa- ion in Congress. Its people, how- ever, displayed thelr interest in public affairs by flocking downtown to watch the returns from the Nation. among Oon the the sanctu- District Affairs. o event that stands out most| ominently from a municipal stand- point during 1924 was the putting into effect of the gasoline tax on au- tomobiles, which will create an an- nual fund of more than $700,000 for improving the highways of the Na- tional Capital. One of the biggest developments in the history of the Public Utllities Com- sion occurred during 1924, when the smmissioners succeeded in reaching « settlement with the Potomac Electric Power Co. of the long-disputed value of the company's property. The imme- diate result will be a reduction of 25 per cent in the rate for current in pri- vate households, and within the next ear the people will have returned to ihem $2,950,000 of the money that was impounded during the seven years of litigation. The enactment of this tax in lleu of the horsepower charge on motor cars also brought about permanent auto- mobile reciprocity with the State of Maryland, a goal toward which Washington long has worked. In April President Coolidge reap- pointed Cuno H. Rudolph and James | ¥. Oyster as Commissioners of the | District for three more years, and! they were confirmed by the Senate, Seek More Power. A movement was started during the year by the Commissioners to have their general powers enlarged with i view to relieving Congress of the necessity for passing on minor que: tions of municipal control. The move- nent grew out of a suggestion made by members of the Senate District com- itte A committee of department chiefs drew up a tentative list of regulatory functions over which they thought the Commissioners should be given Jurisdiction. The most far-reaching recommenda- tion was that the Ceinmissioners ap- point the Board of Education, the Board of Charitics and the judges of the Police, Municipal and Juvenile Courts. Most of the other proposals ad to do with license laws and the nower to enact various municipal regulations. This outline was submitted to the civie and trade bodies of the city and sentiment was so divided that the Commissioners decided to let the question go over until the new Con- gress comes in, when it will be fur- ther considered. Budget Set at $32,000,000. While there were not many unusual occurences in municipal circles dur- ing the year, the city fathers were kept busy throughout the 12 months in their triangular capacity as Dis- trict Commissioners, zoning commis- oners and public utility commis- sioners. arly in_the year Engineer Com- missioner Bell prepared a bill de- vigned to add two additional mem- bers to the utilities commission, who would devote all of their time to utility problems, thus giving the Dis- trict Comm oners more time for gene municipal matters. During the last four months of the year the Commissioners devoted most € their time to the preparation of next year's budget, the largest ever recommended. The city heads asked for approximately $36,500,000. Al- though the budget bureau found it ecessary to cut this total to $32,- 5,527, this atill exceeded any previous municipal budget. Prepare Welfare Bills. The commission on public welfare legislation, eZded by William Hodson of the Russell Sage Foundation, per- fected and had introduced in Con- sress three lmportant bills during the year. The prinicple one was the measure to create a board of public | welfare in the District government to co-ordinate all municipal child-caring and welfare activity. The others were 1o extend ald to dependent children In their own ‘homes and to provide for compulsory school attendanc Capt. John E, Wood ended his term as assistant engineer commissioner in June and was succeeded several months later by Maj. W, E. R, Covel!, who was assigned as special aid to | in Following Inspector Oehmann, the death of Ruilding John Healy, Maj. John Istant, was promoted to head of the inspection force. Burt A. Miller resigned as super- intendent of insurance and < suc- ceeded by Thomas M. Baldwin, Jjr. who also had been an ussistant in’ that office, Congress and the District. For the first time in nearly half a century Congress abandoned the plan of appropriating for the District un- der a definite, fixed proportion to be borne by the Federal Government and the District of Columbia. Abandon- ing the 60-40 plan, which succeeded the half-and-half plan provided in the so-called organic act of 1378, a lump sum of approximately $9.000,000 was contributed from the Federal Treasury as the Natlonal Govern- ment's share in the upkeep and de- velopment of the Capital city. Important legislation affecting the public schools was put through, in- cluding the teache salary bill. This measure provides more adequate laries for the school teachers and officials. It in effect reorganizes the administrative and teaching force and definitely grades them, with oppor- tunities for promotion and increase through efficient work and continued so-called “compulsory educa- tion bill,” which provides for the schooling of all children from 7 to 16 years of age, and for a school census the District was passed by the Senate and is awaiting action in the House. In both houses the Board of Education five-year school building program bill was introduced and ef- forts will be made to obtain favor- able consideration Congress put through salary in- creases for the Police and Fire Depart- ments, establishing a reorganization of both forces and providing for one day off in seven in lieu of Sunday. This resulted in an increase in both torce: A gasoline tax of two cents per gallon on all gasoline bought in the District was established by law, the automobile license fee being reduced to §1 a year. The establishment of the gasoline tax was in pursuance of a plan_agreed upon by the Maryland and District authorities for reciprocity in the use of the highways of Mary land and the District. The money raised b the gasoline tax is being use as a special fund for a specific program of street improvements Salarles of all the District employ as well as those of the Federal Gov ernment in the departmental service in the District were increased in ac- cordance with the reclassification act. Congress, looking to the future de- velopment of the Capital and its park system, created “The Natlonal Capital Park Commission” with authorlty to take for park purposes desirable tracts of land that otherwise might be used for bullding sites, and thereby to pro- tect the forestation and springs that would be despoiled. Steps taken by the Senate may lead to the appropriation of $14,000,000 to construct the memorial brldge across the Potomac River to the Virginia thore from a point near the Lincoln Memorial. A bill for this purpose has been passed and awaits consideration in the House. s The President’s Year The year that has just come to a close was a notable one for President Cool- idge and the White House. ‘The past 12 months were marked by more than ordinary activity on the part of the executive brasch of the Govern- ment, as well as many tense and stirring incidents. There aleo was the tragedy, in the sudden death of Calvin Coolidge, jr., last July, which cast its gloom over the White House and which caused genuine grief throughout the entire Nation. To sum up briefly President Cool- idge's year, it would be only natural to select his decisive victory at the polls November 4 last, when he came before the electorate for election to a full term, as President, in his own name, as the one big outstanding event of the year. As the Republican party's standard bearer, President Coolidge was elected, recelving 15,713,789 of the 28,920,070 votes cast for the three leading candi- dates, thereby giving him the unprece- dented plurality of 7,339,827. Reduction of Taxes. However, from an economic viewpoint the greatest accomplishment by the pre ent administration during the year 1924 was the reduction of taxes This was made possible by a determined effort on the part of the Executive to economize in the operation of the Federal Govern- ment and by a persistent effort to ob- tain the necessary legislation. In his public utterances he has continually preached economy, and promised further lightening of the tax burden of the pub- lic. He made good this latter promise, at least to the extent of recommending further tax reductions, in his annual message to Congress when it recon- vened December 5. Sentiment for Reform. Tn that portion of his message urging tax reduction the President eald that every one desires a reduction of taxes, and that there is a great preponderance of sentiment In favor of taxation re- form. In this connection he is opposed to the publication of incoms tax returns, and he informed Congress that he be- licces this law's continuation to be detri- mental to public welfare and bound to decrease public revenues, and for those reasons it should be repealed. In line with this policy of govern- mental economy the President vetoed all bills during the last session of Congress which, in his opinion, would make tax reduction impossible, if not extremely difficult. Veto of Bonus. In face of threats from his own party and threats of organized politi- cal opposition, he vetoed the soldiers' bonus, which was afterward passed over his veto. He encountered the opposition of the veterans of the Civil and Spanish Wars by disap- proving the Bursum pension bill, and then met a storm of protest when he put his veto to the bill increasing the pay of postal employes. President Coolidge, in conferences with nearly a third of the Senate membership has urged them to await consideration of this legisiation until some means of providing the money necessary to meet these salary in- creases can be declded upon. It has been one of the chief alms of the President to extend all pos- sible relief to the agriculturists of the country. During the distress among_the farmers and stock men of the West and Northwest last Win- ter, the President cast about, with- out success, for some form of reme- the Publle Utilities Commission. ! Engineer Commissioner Bell was| dial legislation. Fe @id not make Hottom row, Jomen T. Lioyd, president of the Board mond Wheeler, assixtant Engineer Co Still appealing plaintively quate accommodations for pupils, the District tem has struggled year in its cramped, antiquated and poorly lighted physical equipment. The calendar year 1924 brought little in the way of improved or increased faclities, and at its close found school author- ities prepared to besiege Congress with a five-year school improvement program desigred to Iift the eystem out of its now chronic state of building lethargy. A survey of school accommodations on November 1, showed that 445 ad- ditional rooms are needed to eliminate the undesirable and makeshift facili- tles in which approximately 20,000 children are housed. The current District appropriation ignores this situation entirely: there's not an item in it for new schoolhouse construc- tion, for ade its 67,000 public school sys- through another of the Government to extend exten- sive loans at more liberal terms than had been the custom. With the view to arriving at some conclusions as to the manner of legislation needed to help the agricultural situation, the President several months ago appointed a special commlssion to study conditions and to draft a pro- gram for the administration to fol- low in dealing with this all import- and domestic subject. Nayal Ofl Leases. The President has been alert to protect the Government's interest in the matter of naval ofl land leases, as a result of the investigation con- ducted by the Senate. He appointed | a special counsel to prosecute these | cases, and appointed a specfal com- | mission to study the question of conserving the oil lands for the use of the Army and Navy in the event of an emergency. Very recently he appointed another commission to In- | stitute a careful study of the ques- tion of protecting and developing the petroleum supply of the Nation. Throughout the year the adminiz- tration has endeavored to continue friendly relations with the countries of the world. Through his efforts the differences between this country and | Mexico were ironed out and in the place of hostility and bitterness there now prevalls the best of understand- ings between the two republics. Dip- lomatic relations have been resumed and treaties entered into. While maintaining amicable relations with foreign countries, the President has openly spoken against this Natlon's entering the League of Nations, but favoring participation in a Court of International Justice. The President put his signature to a bill last Spring which completely | reorganized the Nation's foreign service, which is expected "o do much toward improving that service and strengthening our position abroad. Railroad Legislation. President Coolidge was prompted at the first session of the present Con- gress to defeat legislation that threatened to Impair the rallroads. However, he approved legislation per- mitting consolidations, explaining at the time that he considered consolida- tion as the only feasible method for the maintenance of an adequate sys-| tem of transportation with an oppor- | tpnity so to adjust freight rates as| to meet such temporary conditions as | now prevail in some agricultural sec-| | tions. The President supported a bill pro- viding for a complete reorganization of the executive departments of the Federal Government. This legisla- | tion is still pending, and he hopes to see it enacted. In his recent message to Congress he recommended an ap- propriation of $50,000,000, to cover a period of years, for the erection of necessary Government bulidings In the District of Columbla. This is necessary, he explained at the time, in order to properly house the work- Ing force of the Federal Government. One of the important things done by the President was to institute a definite policy regarding Immigr: tion by having enacted an immigra- tien law. While he approved heart- ily the general idea of this law, he disapproved the language, fearing it might give affront to Japan, whose citizens are excluded under the terms of the act. Reliet for Settlers. The President has consistently urged a constructive policy regarding reforestation and legislation provid- | Top row. left to right: George S. Watao: Franklin Bell, Engineer Commissioner; Maj. Danlel E. Sullivan, superintendent of police, Middle row. left to right: Samuel J. Prescott, president of the Board of Trade; Senator Lawrence C. Phipps, chairinan subcommittee on District of Co- lumbla appropriuations of Senate appropriations committee; Representative Fiederick N. Zihlman, who has been ucting chairman of House Distriet com- | #nd the erection of the Memorlal mittee; Senator Heixler Ball, chairman of Senate District committee; Representative Charles R. Davis, chairman subcommittee on Distret of Columbia Bridge appropriations of House approprintions committee; Isnac Gaus, president of the Chamber of Commerce. eft to right; R. P. Andrews, president of the Merchants | succeed Harry M. Daugherty of Education; Maj. W. H. Holcomb. mmissioner, in charge assistant Engineer Commissioner, in charge of public utilitie Professionally, however, the year 1924 will be looked upon in vears to come as one of the most important in the history of education in the District It marks the passage of the teachers’ salary bill, which provides a new wage schedule for all educational employes of the board of education. It marks, algo, the classification of all other em- ployes—janitors, medical inspectors, nurses and clerks—under the provisions of reclassification legislation, which provided increased compensation for these workers. Lack of harmony among certain members of the board of education was manifest throughout the year and culminated at the final meeting of 1924 with a threat by Capt. Julius I. Peyser to “punch the face” of James T. Lloyd, the hoard president. The only changes in the board's per- sonnel was the passing of Mrs. Ra. mation pojects, and during the year he obtained legislation providing re- lief to many thousands of settlers on Federal projects. Considerable embarrassment was caused the administration by the Senate investigation of the adminis- tration of the Department of Justice, Wwhich resulted finally in the dismissal of Attorney General Daugherty. Dur- ing the turmoil incldent to this and the so-called oil scandal the Presi- dent started a reform {n the Veterans' | Bureau, which resulted in discovery of irregularities, laxity, fnefficiency and fraud in the bureau. The bureau was reorganized and the Department | of Justice brought about the prosecu- | tion of Charles R. rector. Among the more important appoint- ments to Federal office made by the President during the year were those of Harlan F. Stone of New York, to as At- torney General; Curtis D. Wilbur of Californla, to succeed Edwin Denby as Secretary of the Navy; Howard M. Gore of West Virginia, as Secretary of Agriculture, to succeed Henry Wal- lace, who died early in the Fall, and Joseph C. Grew, who had been Min- ister to Switzerland, to be Under- secretary of State. During the campaign tl remained in Washington, making only a few speeches. In fact he has raveled very little during the year. He went to Plymouth, his old Ver- mont home, to bury his son, and later went there for a 10-day vacation. He made a few short journeys, two to New York, one to Philadeiphia, one to Baltimore and one to Chicago. His journeys away from the Capital have been of brief duration and mostly Forbes, the di- President (have been confined to cruises on the Potomac over the week ends aboard | the Mayflower. Publie Utilities. The year 1924 will stand out as an eventful era in the history of public utility regulation in Washington as a result of the settlement by compromise of the long-pending dispute over elec- tric light rates. This settlement not only made possi- ble an immediate reduction from 10 to 73 cents in the rate for electriclty per kilowatt hour but also opened the way for the adjustment of the valuations of the Washington Railway and Electric Co., the Capital Traction Co. and the Washington and Georgetown Gas Light Companles. These companie: uits in court several years ago against the values placed on their properties by the commission, but the cases were left standing pending set- tlement of the Potomac Electric Power case, in which the same prin- ciples were involved. In_addition to obtaining a reduction of 25 per cent {n the price of electric- ity, consumers also will have returned to them $2,800,000 of the money that had been impounded during the seven years of iltigation. An equal sum was awarded th: company in the settle- ment, The agreement reached with the power company disposed at the same time of the troublesome problem of how the question of depreciation of - the property should be handled. The com- pany agreed to adopt a sinking fund for ‘depreciation of $4,000,000, on which the interest of 4 per cent will go into earnings, thereby reducing the amount that will have to be collected from rate payers for the expense of depreciation. As the year came to a close the Utll- cx Commissivn. glso was making. in- fire chief; Capt. James F. Oyster. filed | Commissioner; Cuno H. Rudolph, chairman Board of Commissioners; J. which already have brought substan- tial benefit to the National Capital and promotion of many projects look- ing to the further development of this city mark the successful past vear's work of local trade organizations. The Washington Board of Tade, the Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants and Manufacturers Association, comprising in their mem- berships most of the outstanding leaders in civic life here, have per- sistently pushed ahead tive programs, and in gratifying measure have seen titbir tireless ef- forts crowned with progress and achlevement. In a retrospect of the closing yvear probably an outstanding accomplish- ment of the Board of Trade has been the National Capital Park Commis- sion. Board of Trade and has met with su cess largely through the exhaustive efforts of the parks and plavground committee under Fred G. Coldren. The bill creates a commission to direct the park system of Washington and provides for the annual expendi- ture of $1,000,000 for the enlargement and improvement of the local and playgrounds Conduit Appropriation Backed. The securing of a $1,500,000 addi tional appropriation last vear for the new conduit to supply water for | than $1,000,000. thelr respec- | | | | chairman ‘This measure originated in the | | under parks | | Washington's home consumption was | an accomplishment of water supply committes under the chairmanship of Frank R. Weller. Appropriations for the reclamation of ~Anacostla Flats from Benning Bridge to the District line, another accomplishment of the parks and reservations committee, is another outstanding feature of the year's work of the Board The public safety Odell S. Smith has the Boarc committee under backed the better- pay and time-off measures in Con- gress for the police and firemen of the District besides making surveys of the need of additional policemen and new precinct stations, New bridges in place vania Avenue Bridge, have been urged and in- fluential work has been done by the Manufacturers’ Association; Dr. Frank W. Ballou, superintendent of schools; Dr!d8e committee under the chair- tional Photo Co., Und jmond B. Morgan and William L. Houston, whose terms expired, and the appeintment of Mrs. Lilllan Y. ! Herron and Rev. F. I. A. Bennett to replace them. appointments were made in the ad- ministrative staff as a result of the passage of the teacher: salary bill. Although the measure w signed by President Coolidge on June 4, the new offices could not be filled until December, when Congress passed | the deficiency appropriation bill, mak- ing the salaries available. Officials Are Promoted. The outstanding change was the | appointment of Stephen E. Kramer, principal of Central High School, & first assistant superintendent of pub- llo schools—one of the three new positions created in the teachers’ pay bill. Mr. Kramer was an assistant | quiry into the earnings of the Chesa- peake and Potomac Telephone Co. to determine whether those rates should be reduced at this time. | Bus Rates Increased. In the telephone case a decision is expected early in the new year. The company has asked the commission to give consideration to a new ap- pralsement of its property, now be- ing prepared. The commission granted two in- jcreases in fare to the Washington Rapid Transit Company during 1924. | The company contended for a straight |10-cent fare. The commission April raised the rate from 8 cents | cash to 10 cents for a cash ride, but with tokens at the rate of 3 for 2 cents. A few weeks ago the com- misslon raised the token rate to five for 45 cents, effective in February, 1925. Another bit of history made during 1924 was the granting of permission to the transit company to bring double- decker busses to Washington for use on | Sixteenth street, also effective by Feb- ruary. In March the Capital Traction Com- pany was authorized to extend lts | Randle Highlands bus line from Sev- enteenth street and _Pennsylvania avenue southeast to Eastern High School. [ The following month also au thorized the Washington Railway and Electric Company to establish a bus line across the eastern section of the city from Fifteenth and H streets | northeast to Eleventh and G streets southeast, touching Eastern High School en route. Telephone Rates Studied. In the Spring of the year the Fed- eration of Citizens' ~ Assoclations, through William McK. Clayton, ap- plied for a reduction In telephone rates, but the commission found that a cut was not justified at that time. A few months ago the commission re- opened the question by inaugurating an inquiry itself into telephone earn- |ings. In May the commission at the re- quest of the Northwest Suburban Citizens' Association re-established through-car service from Tenley- town to the heart of the city and out to Lincoln Park. At the same time, however, the commission curtailed the i-cent intercompany transfer privilege at Wisconsin avenue and M street by having it apply only to points west of Wisconsin avenue. In July Walter C. Allen resigned as | executive secretary to the commi sion and was succeeded by Earl V. Fisher, former chief accountant. | Ii. October Engineer Commissioner Bell aesigned his new assistant, Maj. | W. E. R. Covell of the Engineer Corps of the Army, t8 devote his time e tirely to pubiic utility investigation; | | | | District Finances. The municipal government of the District closes the year 1934 free from debt. On August 1 the 50-year 3.65 per cent bonds—the only form of in- debtedness the city had—terminated, and the sinking fund assets in the United States Treasury were ample to retire the fssue. The municipaiity also approaches the new year with approximately $5,278,000 of surplus revenues still to its credit in the Treasury, with the prospect that the money will soon be made avatlable by Congress for the purchase of playgrounds, school Isites and the ecrection of school SuldiTES. Fhe Phipps DO, auticriz- A number of important shifts and |5 terwood & Underwood and Bachrach. PLEAS FAIL TO BRING NEEDED SCHOOL FACILITIES superintendent for a number of years and was transferred to the Central principalship October 1, 1923. The other two positions, that of first as- tant superintendent of colored schools, and chief of the board of ex- aminers, were filled through the pro- motion of Garnet C. Wilkinson, assist- ant superintendent in charge of col- ored schools, and the appointment of Harry English to head the board of examiners. Miss Marion Shadd, super- vising principal, was advanced to the assistant superintendency, succeeding Mr. Wilkinson. One of the major actions of the board of education during the year was the adoption of the two sport rule, which prohibits high school students from participating in more than two major sports. The major sports are classified as foot ball, base ball, basket ball and track ing the District to spend its surplus for the purposes mentioned, has passed the Senate and Is on the House calendar. Although the District is today free from debt and the possessor of a sur- plus- of more than $5,000,000, MaJ Danijel J. Donovan, auditor, pointed out that the surplus would not exist had the city been permitted during and after the war to meet its physi- cal requirements in the form of school buildings, street paving, sewer con- struction, lights and similar needs. $2,000,000 Fund Raised. In 1922 Congress, in adopting the 60-40 ratio of providing for the Na- tional Capital, directed the Commis- sloners to create within five years a cash fund sufficient to operate the municipal machinery from the begin- ning of each fiscal year in July until taxes are collected in November and May. Heretofore the United States has advanced the funds, being reim- bursed when local taxes are col- lected. Maj. Donovan stated that approxi- mately $2.000,000 has already been set aside toward this cash working fund. It was at first estimated that the ralsing of a $3,000,000 surplus by 1927 would enable the city to pay its monthly bills during the period pre- cedling _collection of taxes in Novem- | ber. Since 1922, however, the total of the annual appropriations for the District have gone up from approxi- mately $23,000,000 to more than $29,000,000, making necessary a larger amount for the cash working fund. Tax Rate Increased. In 1924 Congress temporarily de- parted from the time-honored prin- ciple of bearing a fixed percentage of the cost of maintaining the KFederal City by appropriating for the current fiscal year a lump sum of $9.000,000 as Uncle Sam's share. This tem- porary change in the fiscal relations made the District’s share of this year's appropriation act $3,000,000 greater than it would have been un- der the 60-40 ratio. Current appro- priations total $30.000,000. Under the 60-40 plan the Federal Government would have paid $12,000,000. The Commissioners have let it be known that they will endeavor to have Congress restore the fixed per-| centage method as being a more equitable way of maintaining the Na- | tion's city. In order to meet the increased bur- den placed on local taxpavers by the lump-sum appropriation for this year the Commissioners had to increase the tax rate in July from $1.20 to $1.40 per $100 of assessed full value on real estate and on tangible personal property. Building deveiopment in all sec- tions of the District during the last| fiscal year resulted in the addition of approximately $40,000,000 to the total assessed value of real estate on the District tax books. Much of this building activity in the suburbs, however, served to increase the need for paved streets, sewer, water and | light facilities for these new com- munities. The District Courts Litigation in the District of Co- lumbia reached its peak in 1924. Not only was there a decided Increase in the number of new cases filed but a great many of the proceedings took on national importance. A member of Congress was indicted for alleged conspiracy to violate the national peohl a former cabinet of- assintant Engineer Commissioner, in charge of streetx and highways; Maj. Ray- | f zoning; Jeaxc Suter, president of Federation of Chize: Plotos by Harrls-Ewing, | | i | | { | manship of George W. Offutt Asnoclations; Maj. W. E. R, Covell, | tional rerresentation has been con- tinually urged throughout the year, particularly by the committee on na tional representation under the chair- manship of Theodore W. Noyes Rack Many Measures. Other committees have been active in making surveys and recommenda- tions. Among these were the schools committee under Paul E. Lesh, the traffic commlittee under W. Plerce Raynor, ‘the medical committee under Dr. Percy Hickling. All the organizations have co- operated in such things as a larger police force, better schools, and the betterment of conditions generally in the District, in addition to the various measures that have been of particular Interest to the individual organiza- tio ficer was charged with conspiracy defraud the United States and with sccepting a bribe to influence his of- ficlal action; three oil magnates were accused of conspiracy in securing leases to Teapot Dome and other naval reserves; and one of the same three was indicted for contempt of the United States Senate in refusing to a ing the investigation of the Teapot Dome scandal. The question of the right to pub- lish income tax returns was brought before the District Supreme Court, which was also requested to curb the Controller General in his efforts to withold pay of naval officers to off- set ment for disailowed payments to de- pendents. There was quite a num- ber of suits against the prohibition unit in connection with the with- {drawal of permits for denatured al- cohol for industrial uses. Blow to Rent Body. The District Court of Appeals dealt | vear. to the Rent Commis- [NeW cases were a severe blow fon when In an opinion by Justi Robb it declared the housing emer- gency t ohave ceased when the United States Supreme Court last April in the Chastleton case so stated. The ac- tion of Congress in attempting to e tend the Ball rent act last May for an additional year was held to have been without constitutional basis. An effort to have the United States Supreme Court review -this finding is being made by counsel for the tenant in the case. This court went on record as de fending the sanctity of the home and putting an end to improvidently is- sued search warrants. In granting a new trial for murder in the Perrvgo case the court scored the “third de- gree” inethods of the police, which it said ad no place in our civiliza- tion. Chief Justice Dies. The appellate court reopened the packers’ case by admitting the Cali- fornla Canneries Company to inter- vene in the case brought by the De- partment of Justice against the “big five” packing concerns, and in which a consent decree had been filed. It also refused to issue an injunction against Secretary Wilbur to save the battleship Washington. In patent appeal matters the court reversed the Patent Office and granted priority to De Forrest In the wireless cases and to Dr. Rogers in the submarine wire- less case. Constantine J. Smyth, chief justice of the court, died and was succeeded by George E. Martin, former presiding judge of the United States Court of Customs Appeals. Oscar E. Bland and Charles S. Hatfield, judges of the lat- ter tribunal, were named by Chief Justice Taft to sit as members of the Court of Appeals, which they did for the first time in the Fall term, 480 Lawyers Admitted. A total of 394 cases were docketed in the Court of Appeals during the year, marking the highest number ever recorded in a single year in the history of that tribunal. Opinions were rendered In 297 cases and argu- ments have been heard in a number of others, in which decisions will be given early in January. There are awaiting hearing on the January calendar 97 general cases, 18 on the special calendar, 93 patent appeals and 4 original petitions. In addition to the new cases the court considered 63 applications for writs of error in cases coming from the Court, of which were granted 22. The justices also heard 546 motions and admitted 480 lawyers to practice. The outstanding feature of the work of ‘the District Supreme Court in 1924 was the clearing of the criminal { docket. With the aid of United States Attorney Gordon there were stricken from the' overcrowded docket more | than 2,000 cases in which trials would have been of no avall. The court sustained a demurrer of Harry F. Sinclair to four of the ten counts in an indictment for contempt of the Scnate wnd declared he must defend Municipal | of Pennsyl- | Chain Bridge | | keep to | his refus | covered by wer questions propounded dur-.|tions preventing the Rent C possible claims of the govern- | | House that an old-time i | an | suggestions { many | received |ana merce regards the completio Washington Auditorium standing achievement originating in the Ch r Robert N. Harper. This und represents an expenditure Under the chairmanship Harr H. Glassle, of the schools cor m powerful backing was git teachers’ salary increas. 1 many other school measur year, through the efforts of Gans, president of the Chamber of the athleti m the Marine-Army foot ball game was brought to Washington and in the enlargement of Clark Stadium, Many Comventions Obtained. )t la Teaa Griffit A large number of were brought to Washingt a derwritten by the Chamber of Com merce. This work was carried the direction « e conve tion committee head Martin Leese. The idea of one day off every seven for the policemen and firemen of the city was originated i the Chamber by the police and fire committee under Charles W. Darr. er has recently devoted v big inaugural her d the bette treets effort bration lighting of While the activities Me chant and Manufacturers’ Association not usually of a public nature great deal has been accomplished by the 40 trade committees of the ganization for the benefit of Wask ington merchants and the people o Washington at large. Besides work- ing in harmony with other organiza- tions for the betterment of cond tions in the National Capital, the as sociation has been very active i helping to get better freight rates for Washingto This organizatio was the first to urge upon the White m of the augural be held. Back Each Other. Seasonal advertising, observances, co-operative representation of local business at hearings before Congress and the protection of local jobbers retail and wholesale merchant among the many things that has be the work of the Merchants and Manu facturers'’ Association, in addition great activities in the il ear! d shop early” campaign All of these organizations ha been anxious to back and approve the and actions of hat have been for other on matte; ‘}nw good and development of the ¢ Throughout the year there have been things that have needed and the support of the officers membership of these organis: tions before the Commissioners of the District and Congress and have r sulted in better conditions for the | District Many pl. uled for the the ually bus; larger and t ns and activities are sched- coming year which will arious committees un in their efforts to make a tter National Capital the r. wer the questi ing coun | It declined to interfere with the N. Department the destruction of t battleship Washington and ordered Con- | troller McCarl to pay naval officers the salary fixed by Congress without de- { duction for overpayments to dependents | The court granted a number of injun. mission | from nearing complaints of tena { During the grand jury investi- | gated about 1,500 charges of criminality and inquired into charges of brutality | against the police in connection with he use of “third-degree” methods to extort confessions from prisoners. The |grand jury reported 1,038 indictments and ignored 335 charges. The report as | to the police is expected early in Jan uary. Despite th ing less than transfer of cases invoiv- $1,000 to the Municipal Court there was filed a greater number {of new suits in the District Supremnc |Court in 1924 than in any precedis On the law side a total of 1 instituted. In equity there were begun 1,415 new |addition the clerk of the co 116 applications in bankrupt | mechanic's and 53 ¢ the | District condemnation_doc |there were begun 1,125 law {1,250 equity proceedings. suits and 78 Marriage Licenses. Declarations of intention by aliens |to become ci were received from 828 persons and applications for final citizenship were made by 447. The court admitted 351 to citizenship, which 61 were In the military es lishment and 290 civilians. Property of deceased persons praised during the year in the office the register of wills totaled $10,056,688 A total of 890 wills were offered for probate, which, with the administra- tion cases in which no will was filed. amounted to 1,177 proceedings. There were also 225 applications for appoint- ment of guardian. A total of 1,890 ac- counts were stated by the office force Dan Cupid through his leutenar Col. W. A. Kroll, the license clerk, T« ported a satisfactory year in 1621 While there was a decline fu the nu ber of marriages, the little fellow point= out that only 88 divorces were granted so the most of them were successiul, A total of 5,478 marriage licenses we issued during the year as comparcd with 5,860 in 1923. Fire Department. of Chief George S. Wat son's force of fire fighters the past year received numerous commenda tions for their effective work in pre- venting the spreading of threate: ing fires. There were only three stances In which losses totaled more than $100,000, the heaviest involving a loss of $316,292 on the premlises o the Norfolk and Washington Steam- boat Company, foot of Seventh stre southwest, the night of January The total number of calls m upon the firemen during the year was 2,676, and the total losses aggre gated $898,007. There were 238 false alarms and calls for aid in Mary- land and Virginia. Officials of the department recalled that the fals alarms caused an unusual amount o annoyance and resulted in traffic ac cidents in several instances, Only two deaths fn the ranks of firemen occurred during the year They involved Capt. J. R. Steele, No 17 Engine Compan and Pvt. J. W, Hurdle of No. 1 Engine Company. Legislative enactment enabled Chie? Watson to make provision for giving members of the department one day ofi each week-—the most important concession since the adoption of the two-platoon system. In order to.give the one day off each week, Congress provided for the appointment of 97 additional men, and made it necessary to provide six additional captains, lleutenants and Members “(Continued on Page Twenty-thrend -