Evening Star Newspaper, March 10, 1935, Page 30

D—4 THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTO TARCH 10, 1935—PART TWO. EDUCATION CENTER BEING SOUGHT FOR RODSEVELT AREA Citizens, Parent- Teacher Groups Push Many Plans to Achieve Aim. A plan for a huge recreational and educational center on the site of the Tuberculosis Hospital when that in- stitution moves into the Glenn Dale Sanitorium in 1926, is taking form among several of the civic groups of the North Washington territory. For many years, associations of the area have urged establishment of schools, libraries and playgrounds where the present hospital stands, at the same time protesting establish- | ment of a hospital on this site. Last week the Manor Park Citizens' Association adopted a resolution which favors a plan suggested by the Roose- velt High School Parent-Teacher As-! sociation recently, asking for the| establishment of a teachers’ college, a | senior high school, a junior high| school, two elementary schools and a | public library at the hospital site bounded by Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Upshur and Allison streets, in a di trict estimated to have more than 5 000 inhabitants. Manor Park Proposal. | Ernest H. Pullman, president of the | Manor Park body and chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Parent- ‘Teacher Association, said Dr. Allan Davis, principal of the Roosevelt High | School, had suggested that the proj- | ect be carried out under the proposed public works program. i The parent-teacher association has | submitted the plan to Dr. Frank W.| Ballou, superintendent of schools; the | District Commissioners, the National | Park and Planning Commission and | civic bodies for their support. | Recently Dr. Ballou suggested that the Wilson Teachers' College, at Eleventh and Harvard streets, be re- located at the Upshur street site when the hospital is transferred. The National Capital Park and Planning | Commission at a recent meeting con- [ sidered plans for establishment of' | recreational facilities at this location. Last month the Piney Branch Citi- gens' Association’s special Library Committee brought in a report favor- ing the converting of the nurses’| home of the hospital, directly oppo- | site Roosevelt High School, into a library. The plan conflicts with the plans of 10 years’ standing of the Petworth Citizens’ Association for | establishing a library at Georgia ave- | nue and Upshur street on the south- east corner of the Roosevelt High School site. However, should the Petworth plan be successful the proj- ect would still be in the proposed center. Opposes Hospital. G. L. Shorey, president of the Piney Branch Association, said his group many years ago opposed the erection of the Tuberculosis Hospital at its present location. The association has always held the area should be used for recreational and educational pur- poses, he said. | Although no action has been taken on the new proposal, Shorey said, | F. C. Merritt, chairman of the Spe- | cial Library Committee, will report | tomorrow night on the nurses’ home | project. When advised of the action | of the Manor Park Citizens' Asso- ciation, he declared, “I am sure we would be in favor of this use of the V' hospital site.” | Horace J. Phelps, chairman of the | Library Committee of the Petworth | Citizens’ Association, recalled the op- | position expressed by several associa- | tions of the area at the time the hos- | pital was erected and the previous successful efforts of civic bodies to prevent the erection of Gallinger Hos- | pital on the property. Many of the city’s women's organ- 1zations have favored the transferring of the Dennison Vocational School from its present location on S street between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets to the southeast corner of Alli- son street and Arkansas avenue. This latter site lies in the extreme north- west corner of the proposed center. Women Support Plan. Mrs. Phelps revealed she had rep- resented the Federation of Women's Clubs before the Commissioners in | behalf of a proposed $280,000 appro- priation for the transfer of the voca- | tiomal school from its present loca- tion to the proposed site. She added that Mrs. Harvey Wiley, president of | the women’s group, appeared before the Budget Bureau to support the project and while neither has yet been successful, both will appear be- fore the Senate Subcommittee on Ap- propriations to seek inclusion of the appropriation in the 19368 District budget. The action of the Manor Park asso- ciation has been sent to the Federa- tion of Citizens’ Associations for its support. In addition, the association has notified the Park and Planning Commission and the Board of Edu- cation of its indorsement of the action of the Parent-Teachers’ Association of Roosevelt High School. . SUMMIT PARK CITIZENS FORM DRAMATIC CLUB First Play, Presented Last Week, to Be Repeated as Church Benefit on March 22. With the belief that social activi- ties will not only help keep a com- munity in closer relations with civic affairs, but also keep them more closely united, the Summit Park Citi- zens' Association last week presented its opening play, “Cox and Box,” given by the Dramatic Club of Sum- mit Park at 3703 Bangor street south- east. This group has planned for some time to organize a dramatic club and only recently has been able to carry out its original plans. The members of the club executed their parts to perfection and the performance as a whole was cleverly arranged, with various types of comedy, which scored continual laughter during the per- formance. The group will give the same play March 22 at the East Washington Heights Baptist Church, at Alabama and Branch avenues southeast, to help raise funds for a new bell at the church. Bingo Party Planned. Members of the Conduit Road Citi- zens’ Association are planning to hold a bingo party about the middle of May in Our Lady of Victory Church, Conduit and Reservoir roads. — e Gets Six New Members. Six new members were admitted at the last meeting of the Randle High- lands Citizens’ Association. They are H. A. Kalb, J. H. McCall, F. M. Jen- kins, A. C. Edwards, L. H. Simpson and Meyer Lymsky. Tree Removal Stirs Southeast Citizens The holly trees pictured above caused quite a furor in Southeast Washington last week when the National Capital parks office ordered them removed to Rock Creek Park, where, it was said, “they would receive better pro- Later, however, after aroused citizens had protested and threatened to take the matter before Congress, the park office announced the trees would be transplanted in one of the Southeast Adelbert W. Lee, president of the Randle Highlands Citizens' Asso- tection and be better appreciated.” parks—either Anacostia, Garfield or clation, is shown looking at the trees, three of which are excavated and ready for removal. Lincoln. —sStar Staff Photp, GROUP ORGANIZED T0 AID RECREATION West End Citizens Seeking" Better Opportunities for Children. Citizens of West End Washington have banded themselves together in an unique effort to obtain better ath- letic and recreational facilities for the young people of the section. The formation of a new organiza- tion through which citizens, by taking out life memberships, can provide supervised recreational facilities for their children was announced last week by Almon C. Barber, secretary of the West End Citizens' Associa- tion. Organized under joint sponsorship of the citizens' group and the Grant School Parent-Teacher Association, the new unit's purpose is to “provide ways and means of keeping our chil- dren off the streets.” Club Plan Failed. Led by J. H. Gerone, the citizens® association for several months had been working on a proposal io es- tablish & boys’ club in the third pre- cinct station house. This plan fell through, however, when it was de- cided recently the station could not be fitted for the purpose, as had been the fifth precinct station, in which a club was established last ear. Although plans are yet tentative, the new group expects to offer resi- dents the opportunity of taking out either a life membership or an active membership. With an active mem- bership card a member would pay a certain amount each year and would be entitled to a& vote in the organi- zation. To receive a life member- ship, however, a citizen would pay simply the set entrance fee, but would | not receive voting privileges. The membership fees and dues would be invested, according to the plans. and ultimately the cost of pro- viding athletic and recreational fa- | cilities and proper supervision would | be paid out of the interest on the in- vested money. Success Predicted. Complete success of the plan was predicted by Mr. Barber, who expressed himself as “elated” over the progress made so far. “I feel confident we will have at least 500 members before next June,”. “And as soon as people real- he said. ize we are working on a ‘good thing’ I believe they'll flock to join with us.” At the first meeting of the new or- ganization, for which no name has been chosen as yet, the following were elected as acting officers: Mr. Gerone, president; R. D. Lyons, first vice president; Mrs. Bert M. Manley, formerly president of the Grant Parents and Teachers, second vice president; F. W. Dowling, third vice president; Miss Marie Haley, treasurer, and Mr. Barber, secretary. RANDOLPH YIELDS FLOOR TO CHILDREN Listens to Kenilworth Song Pro- gram, Then Tells of Needed Legislation. Representative Jennings Randolph of West Virginia last week insisted that a song and dance program by children of the community precede the speech he came to make before the Kenilworth Citizens’ Association. “I'd like to see the children per- form,” Randolph said when President Kenneth Buker offered to follow the usual custom of giving a Congress- man the floor immediately upon his arrival. The program consisted of songs by seven boys from the Elliot Junior High School, songs and skits by pupils of the Kenilworth School and a special dance by Robert Barnes, son of one of the members of the association. In his speech Representative Ran- dolph said he favored some social security legislation, and stressed the need for enactment of old-age pen- sion and unemployment insurance bills immediately. The association approved two bills before Congress. One would require display of the American flags on Gov- ernment buildings, as introduced by Representative Virginia E. Jenckes, Democrat, of Indiana, and the other would amend the workman’s com- pensation-act. It was introduced by Representative Gasque, Democrat, of South Carolina. - Plan “Parent-Teacher” Night. The April meeting of the Manor Park Citizens’ Association will be “Parent-Teacher night,” Pullman, president, announced. At the last meeting, the association ob- served “Men’s night,” at which Ros- coe Wines, first vice president, pre- sided. 4 Monday, March 11. ’ Congress Heights Citizens’ Associa- tion, 8 p.m., Congress Heights School. Program—Playgrounds Committee re- port and action to secure a play-‘ ground at Fourth street and Nichols | to secure a proposed Oxon Run in- | terceptor; Public Utilities Committee | report on proposed substitution of | | street car service with busses. | Hillcrest _Citizens’ Association, 8 | pm., East Washington Heights Bap- tist Church. Program—Action to ‘lmpro\'e transportation service; ac- | tion to obtain a proposed sewer; re- port on organization of local Boy Scout troop; plans for benefit bingo |and card party. | Kalorama Citizens’ Association, 8 | pm., Collier Inn, 1807 Columbia road. Program—Report and action on pro- | posed health measures. i | Northeast Citizens' Association, 8 lp.m.. Ludlow School. Program—Re- | port by Public Utilities Committee on |bus fares and other transportation problems; report by Executive Com- mittee and action on pending Dis- trict legislation before Congress. | Park View Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Park View Platoon School. Pro- | gram—Action to secure additional | equipment for the Fire Department; | discussion of traffic problems; action | to establish a boys’ club. | Piney Branch Citizens’ Associa- tion, 8 p.m., Roosevelt High School. | Program—Special committee report on advisability of converting the nurses’ home of the Tuberculosis Hospital into a public library and other plans affecting the hospital | area; action to decorate the area dur- | ing the Shrine Convention in June.| Stanton Park Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m. Peabody School. Progmm—} Action to secure needed improvements | on northeast streets: action to secure extension of Maryland and New York | avenues northeast; action to appear | before Senate Subcommittee on Ap- | propriations to secure additional budget; Laws and Legislation Com- mittee report and action on filling | vacancies in the District with bona | fide residents. ‘Tuesday, March 12. Burleith Citizens’ Association, 8 pm., Gordon Junior High School. Program—Address by Mary Hankins, assistant director of emergency relief; action on proposed smoke nuisance bill; discussion of plans to decorate the area during June convention of Shriners. Cathedral Heights-Cleveland Park Citizens' Association, 8 pm., St. Al- ban’s Church Parish Hall. Program- Address by Dr. James Gordon Cum- ming, Medical Reserve Corps, United States Army, on “Communicable Dis- eases”; address by J. V. Morgan, at- torney, on “District Jobs for District People”; report on success of cam- paign to enlist indorsement of other civic groups and District officials in its drive for District jobs for District people. East Washington Heights Citizens’ Civic Association Calendar Nineteen Bodies Meeting This Week With Plans for Shrine Convention—Decorations on Many Programs. school funds in the 1936 District | brm: CITIZENS OPENING DRIVE 10 CLARIFY D.C. TRAFFICLAWS Dupont Circle Group Would Define and Separate Varied Regulations. Adopting & report of its Committee on Streets, Parks and Traffic, the Dupont Circle Citizens’ Association last week inaugurated a campaign “to obtain greater safety and efficiency for all traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, on the streets of the District.” Unique among recommendations offered by other civic groups in that it does not single out the drunken or speedy driver, or propose new traffic laws, the campaign is designed simply to clarify and arrange the laws which now exist, separate rules from laws and make them so “common sense” that the majority of the people util- izing the highway would gladly obey the rules because they are conducive to the best interests of everybody. Report Made by Bristol. The report to the association was made by Admiral Mark Bristol, chair- man of the committee. Admiral Bris- tol pointed out the committee pre- viously had suggested there should be a set of “rules for driving” but that after further consideration the com- mittee had decided they should be called “rules of the highway” be- cause they should pertain not only to vehicles but to pedestrians. “The present ‘trafic and motor vehicle regulations’ refer to ‘rules of the road,’” he said. “It is believed this is a mistake because ‘rules of the road’ is an international desig- nation for rules governing traffic on the water.” The recommendations in the re- port call for: A set of “rules of the highway. A set of “laws of the highway. A highway be defined as “any street, road, boulevard, lane, alley, etc., utilized by vehicles or pedes- trians.” Association, 8 pm., Bradbury Heights Methodist Church. service. Summit Park Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m, 3703 Bangor street southeast. den, president, Federation of Citizens' Associations’ on the usefulness of citi- zens’ associations and their oppor- tunity for service; report and action on recommendations of delegates to Southeast Council of Citizens' Asso- ciations; action to appear before Senate Subcommittee on Appropria- tions to secure inclusion of $15,000 study item for plans for proposed new Pennsylvania avenue southeast bridge; action on 12-point traffic safety pro- gram of the Lincoln Park Citizens’ Association. Wednesday, March 18. American University Park Citizens' Association, 8 p.m.. Hurst Hall, Amer- ican University. Program—Report by Thomas E. Lodge, chairman, Laws and Legislative Committee, and action on proposed lunacy bill; action to appear before Senate Subcommittee on Ap- propriations to secure item in 1936 District budget for grading and land- scaping of Woodrow Wilson High School grounds; report on request for development of Fort Bayard Park into playground; action on proposed estab- lishment of night classes in Western High School. Benning _Citizens’ Association, pm., Odd Fellows' Hall, 508 Minne- sota avenue northeast. Foxhall Community Citizens’ Asso- ciation, 8 p.m., St. Patrick’s Church Parish Hall. Program—Action to se- cure improvement of park area facing Forty-fourth street. Richmond Park Citizens' Associa- tion, 8 p.m., 3508 Quebec street. Pro- gram—Discussion of plans for partici- pating in 1935 Shrine Convention; ac- tion to lower speed limit on Thirty- fourth street; action to secure im- proved bus service. Friday, March 15. Glover Park Citizens' Association, 8 X Industrial Home School. gram—Discussion of People’s Counsel ‘Willlam A. Roberts’ plan for a pro- posed cross-town bus service; report by Playground Committee; plans for dec- orating the area during Shrine Con- vention; musical program. Society of Natives of the District, 8 p.m., Washington Club. Program— Discussion of plans for annual din- ner with action to set date and place. Takoma Park Citizens’ Assocla- tion, 7:30 p.m., Takoma Park Library. Program — Forty-sixth anniversary program; addresses by Senator Cap- per, Republican, of Kansas, and Sen- ator Frazier, Republican, of North Dakota; review of 46 years of accom- plishments; proposed small loan bill, proposed smoke nuisance law, construction of proposed airport; discussion of in- creased cost of living; discussion of proposed opening of Eastern avenue from Georgia to New Hampshire avenue. Saturday, March 16. Federation of Citizens' Associations, 8 p.m., board room, District Building. Senators Capper of Kansas and Frazier of North Dakota will be guest speakers at the forty-sixth anni- versary celebration of the Takoms Park Citizens’ Association in the Ta- koma Park Branch of the Washing- ton Public Library Friday at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Mary Lamond White, presi- dent, who will open the meeting. is the daughter of the late Angus and Alcena Lamond, both founders of the organization and the latter for 16 years vice president, up to the time of her recent death. Accomplishments Reviewed. One outstanding accomplishment of the association was the erection of the Public Library in which the group will, meet Friday night. In January, 1903, the association, in conjunction with the then Takoma Club and Library, & social group, laid the groundwork and appointed a committee to secure the land and funds with which to erect the present library building. The original grant was made by the late Andrew Car- negle, a resident of the same town in Scotland fom which Mr. Lamond hailed. Through his efforts and neighborly friendship of many years’ standing with Mr. Carnegie, the do- nation was increased to $40,000. Con- gress appropriated funds annually for maintenance. Among other accomplishments cred- Takoma Park Group to Mark 46th Anniversary on Friday ited to the association are the Ta- koma Park public school on Piney Branch road; the construction of the Cedar street subway, eliminating the dangerous grade crossing of the Balti- more & Ohio railroad and also the new underpass at Van Buren street, ad- jacent to the new municipal play- ground; improved street car service; permanent highways; widening of Piney Branch road; sidewalks, sewers and improvement in various public utilities. Program of Meeting. Mayor Frederick L. Lewton of Ta- koma Park, Md., a member of the association, will introduce Senators Capper and Frazier and also make a brief address at Friday’s meeting. Among the matters to be discussed are enactment of small loans ; abate- ment of .the smoke nuisance; construc- tion of an airpoort; rising cost of living in the suburban area, and the opening of Eastern avenue from New Hampshire avenue to Georgia avenue. The association is unique in that it is interstate in character, its mem- bers residing both on the District and Maryland sides of Takoma Park. Part of the town lies in Montgomery County and part in Prince Georges County, in addition to the District. Some of the most valued projects have been se- cured as & result of the assistance received lmg Maryland members, Program—Public | | Utilities Ccmmittee report on bus|ang Traffic to prepare a set of “rules report and action on | A set of definitions particularly ap- plicable to the need of “rules” and “laws” of the highway. The Committee on Streets, Parks of the highway” for consideration at the next meeting of the association. Appointment of a committee to! | avenue southeast; report on efforts| prooram Address by James G. Ya- Prepare a set of “laws of the high- way. | Co-operate with all other associ- | ations, organizations, clubs and agencies who are working for the | common cause of better regulations of | traffic on the highway of the District to the end that injuries and fatalities may be decreased and the movement of traffic expedited, and request from | others comment, suggestions criticism to facilitate the work. Plan Education Campaign. A campaign of education by means | of the press, the schools and every other means possible to expedite this plan of procedure and further de- velop it for the future. Strive to have the press give full accounts of accidents on the high- ways, especially pointing out the vio- and ‘lations of the present traffic regula- ' | Undertake a‘ campaign for the adop- | | tion of “rules” and “laws” of the | highway for use throughout the Na- tion, and let this association take the | lead in having these prepared and | adopted for the District | The following rule: “The driver of | | a vehicle or a pedestrian upon the | | highway will maintain his or her at- | | titude toward others which he expects others to maintai Status of Bills Legislation of Civic Inter- est Pending in House and Senate. | The congressional status of District bills of interest to Washington citi- | zens’ associations is as follows: of Columbia (S. J. Res. 12). Judiciary Committee. District appropriation bill for 1936 fiscal year (H. R 3973). House: Passed. Senate: In District Com- mittee. Regulation of small loan ousiness (H. R. 3464). FHouse: In District Committee. Requiring financial responsibility of motor vehicle operators (H. R. 5457, S. 408). Senate: Passed. House: On calendar. Creation of a commission to control rents (H. R. 3809). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Provide pensions for the needy blind (H. R. 4510). House: Passed. Senate: In District Committee. Strengthen gambling laws (8. 398). In Senate Committee. Substitute civilian trial board for present Police Trial Board (H. R. 2734). House: In District Com- mittee. Abolish capital punishment (H. R. 2808). House: In District Committee. Establish training school for poiice- men and firemen (H R. 2858). House: In District Committee. Amend code relating to hearings (H. R. 3451). District Committee. Amend act authorizing Commission- ers to remove dangerous buildings (H. R. 3458). House: On calendar. Amend act creating board for con- demnation of insanitary buildiggs (H. R. 3459). House: On calendar. Regulate foreclosure of mortgages and deeds of trust (H. R. 3461). House: In District Committee. Amend code relating to residence of firemen (H. R. 3641). House: In Dis- trict Commijtee. Amend code relating to residence of policemen (H. R. 3642). House: In District Committee. Establish commercial airport for District (H. R. 3806). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Provide old age pensions (H. R. 4135). House: In District Committee. Provide for election of delegate in Congress for the District (H. R. 4346). House: In District Committee. Broadening powers of Commission- ers (H. R. 4347). House: In District Committee. Authorizing use of District surplus funds for necessary public projects (H.R. 4345). House: In District Com- mittee. Prevent fouling of the atmosphere (H. R. 5232, S. 2034). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Senate: In District Committee. Authorizing P. W. A. funds for new courts building (H. R. 6231, S. 2035). House: In District Committee. Sen- ate: In District Committee, MEETING DATE CHANGED. The regular meeting night of the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens' As- sociation has been changed from the last Wednesday to the second Wed- nesday beginning with the April meeting, it was announced. lunacy House: 1In Senate: Passed. House: In District | National representation for District | Civie Problems, Civic Bodies Humane and Modern Treatment of Mental Cases Advocated—Southeast Citizens Commended for Action to Get Benefits. BY JESSE C. SUTER. UMEROUS pieces of legis- lation affecting the Dis- trict of Columbia have en- gaged the wttention of congressional committees during the past week. Among these are old-age pensions, auto- mobile responsibility, unemploy- ment insurance and the tightening and liberalizing of the local alco- holic beverage control law. The House Committee on Rivers and Harbors again has under consider~ ation recommendations of the Dis- trict engineer for the improvement of the Washington water front, in- cluding deepening of the channel as an aid to navigation. ‘The proposal for water front im- provement has the support of most of the civic organizations, but the absorbing question is—who will pay for what? In any voting constit- uency, represented in Congress, there is little doubt but that the Federal Government would foot the “ bill for everything but that of purely local character. Based on this sound foundation the Federa- tion of Citizens’ Associations has consistently urged a similar treat- ment for the District which would mean the District would pay only about $350,000. Some proposals are for a 50-50 division of cost and then there are those urging the improvement as a P. W. A. proj- ect on a 70-30 basis, with the Dis- trict of course paying the 70 per cent. All the before-mentioned matters have been having the closest atten- tion of the organizations. Schools, small loans bill, lunacy bill, trans- portation and ancient street cars, new traffic code, character educa- tion, local control of all recreation facilities, painless system for pay- ing taxes and plans for a new Gov- ernment for the District are some of the matters of general interest at the recent meetings of various civic bodies. This week the House is expected to consider some District matters tomorrow and the District Sub- committee of the Senate Commit= tee on Appropriations plans to be gin hearings Tuesday on the 1936 budget. No hope is held out for an increase of the Federal lump sum unless it should be urged by the President. It was expected that some recommendation would ema- nate from the White House after receipt of the report by the Treas- ury on comparative tax burdens, made at the direction of the Presi- dent. The final report on the sub- ject has not been made and noth- ing has been heard from it for some time. Humane Reform Proposed For Mental Health Cases. OR a number of years it has been urged that there be a new method introduced for the practice prescribed by exist- ing law for inquiry and commit- ment of insane persons. Different philanthropic organizations _and specialists in the treatment of mental diseases have pointed out the District is far from modern and humane in the procedure fol- lowed. To give the mentally sick and their families and friends a new deal the District Commissioners directed the corporation counsel to draft a suitable amendment to the provision of the District code. This bill, H. R. 3451, has been under consideration by the Bar Association, Medical Society and the Federation of Citizens’ Associ- ations. The federation’s Law and Legis- lation Committee split on the proposition, there being majority and minority reports presented. These reports with the explana- tions were not completed at the meeting on March 2 and the body recessed until last night. As this is written it is not known what decision will be reached by the federation. The majority report approves the enactment of the Commis- sioners’ bill with certain perfect ing amendments, regarded as es- sential. The minority report holds the present jury system for han- dling such cases is absolutely nec- essary for the preservation of lib- berty, and the establishment of a more aumane and considerate procedure is entirely within the power of the court. Many who have studied our lo- cal procedure, as required by the District code, believe its similarity to procedure against criminals is entirely out of harmony with modern humane ideas for the treatment of those who are men- tally sick. There remains in the District system much of the old ignorance and superstition of the past as to those thus afflicted. The very terms lunatic and lunacy are relics of barbaric days when the mentally sick were supposed to have been affected by some pecu- liar influence of the moon. Insanity, once regarded as in- curable, has under modern meth- ods of treatment and modern science been found to be cur- able in a large and increasing percentage of cases. Proponents of this bill aim to give the patient, at the earliest possible moment, the benefit of the best curative treatment available with a mini- mum of shock to both patient and his family. The present law operates very much like a criminal law. The case is required to be heard in a criminal court and the patient and witnesses and next of kin are com- manded in the name of the Presi- dent of the United States to appear in the criminal court at the ap- pointed time, where the case is heard before a jury. The proposed plan is for hearings before a com- mission consisting of two physi- cians and one member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the Dis- trict of Columbia. Proceedings in the inquiry by the commission shall be under direction of the equity court. Definite provision is made for hearing before a jury if demanded by the alleged insane person or some one in his behalf. Proponents of this reform are firm in their opinion that there is to be found no remedy in existing law and depending upon the pro- cedure being modified by the court. They claim courts are very reluc- tant to broaden their jurisdiction even though the right to do so be unquestioned, and that there is no hope for the introduction of mod- ern methods except through chan- nels of remedial legislation. Congress in 1916 recognized modern thought on this subject by changing the name of the Govern- ment Hospital for the Insane to that of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and gave as its objects “the most hu- mane and enlightened curative treatment of the insane of the Armmy and Navy of the United States and of the District of Co- lumbl.l.’" The name St. Elizabeth’s 1s derived from the original name of the large tract of land on which the institution is located. Encouragement and Discouragement As to Stopping River Pollution. CTIVE advocates of ridding the Potomac and Anacostia tributaries of pollution were both encouraged and discouraged during the past week. A commit- tee composed of the Engineer Com- missioner and representatives of the Maryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission is making plans to clean up Rock Creek. In this connection it has been reported that about 950 homes in Montgomery County still empty sewage into Rock Creek. During the past few years the number has been reduced from over 1,800 by connecting with the District sys- tem. The discouragement comes from the report that by reason of the transfer of P. W. A. funds to relief funds are not now available for the District's modified sewage disposal plant. Southeast Washington Sees Red As to Alleged Neglect. ED handbills as large as a newspaper page tell the world of the alleged neglect of Southeast Washington and its pro- gram for its relief. This display of red ink is one of the most sen- sational pieces of civic literature ever issued by a District organ- ization. Its sponsor is the South- east Business Men's Association and is understood to have the backing of the Southeast Citizens’ Council. Most of the items on its program of improvements have been dis- cussed on this page. In civic circles the opinion is expressed that this forceful demand in so striking a piece of literature will attract favorable notice which will result in getting some of the items of the very ambitious program. Doubt, however, is expressed as to the practical value of the threatened taxpayers strike if the program is not put through. Voteless and un- represented taxpayers of the Dis- trict have little show in getting out of paying taxes. Taxation without representation, in the lan- guage of the founding fathers, may be tyranny, and doubtless it is, but what are we voteless ones going to do about it. Some of our citi- zens in bygone days made a try of it and, after being turned down by the courts, had to meekly pay their taxes. The general civic sentiment is that of “more power to the civic spunk of the brethren of the Southeast, may their imitators in ?%er sections be muitiplied many old.” California, Oklahoma and Oregon Respond to Washington’s Appeal. ETURNS are beginning to come in from the appeal of Miss Marguerite Wells, president of the National League of Women Voters, for support by the State leagues of Federal suffrage for the District of Columbia (national representation). The very newsy News Letter for March of the Vote- less District of Columbia League of Women Voters says the State leagues of California, Oklahoma and Oregon have either petitioned or memorialized Congress to pass the joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States empowering the Congress to grant to the residents of the District voting representa- tion in the Senate and House of Representatives and the vote for President and Vice President. The “News Letter,” in extending thanks to these State leagues, says: “You people in the States, and only you, can help us. Your Senators and Congressmen are here and in their hands is the granting of our suffrage. They listen to you, they represent you, they vote as your ex- pression of opinion directs them to vote. We are voiceless, we have no way of giving weight or effect to our needs, except as private groups of persons (we do not have the status of citizens), there is no one in Congress to represent us—every legislator there is first obligated to his own territory. It 1s only you who can speak.” This item of the News Letter concludes as follows: “How can we bring up our children with a sense of civic responsibility and social co-operation when the first requirement of democracy is de- nied them? They have nothing to do with the government of their community or Nation.” District’s Need For A Modern Smoke Law. GITATION in civic circles for an up-to-date, enforceable smoke law has been on the increase for some time and is specially vigorous at this time. Awhile ago the Commissioners ap- pointed a committee to draft a new smoke law, headed by Capt. Clark, Assistant Engineer Commis- sioner, and including some business and technical men. This com- mittee has been studying the prob- lem and drafting a bill to meet the local situation. The bill of this committee, it is understood, is a very thorough and technical measure based on the experience of other communities. This bill deals with the matter in thorough detail and is believed by its framers to meet every require- ment. William A. Roberts, people’s counsel, at the request of some of the organizations, has drafted an entirely different type of bill. The Roberts bill simply declares that unnecessary smoke shall be unlaw- ful and provides for prosecution in the Police Court and a fine up to $500. All the power of regula- tion and control would be vested in the Commissioners. Because of continued change of conditions as to type of fuel, appliances and possibly other factors, Roberts con- tends it is far more feasible to give the Commissioners the power to make and alter the regulations against unnecessary smoke than to have to go back to Congress for further legislation as occasion may require. A petition being circulated in the civic organizations, in addition to being against the smoke nui- sance, is aimed specifically against the use of soft coal, as if that fuel was the only offender. Those familiar with the subject know the smoke is due more to the appliance and the method of firing than to the type of fuel. During a coal strike some years ago, the coal men, with the co- operation of The Star, put on a campaign to instruct householders and other users of hard fuel In the proper methods of firing with types of unfamiliar fuel. Many were converted to the use of a new fuel, which they have continued to HARRIMAN TO TALK AT TRADE BOARD'S MEETING FRIDAY McClellan Also to Soeak. Health Insurance Action to Be Taken. Henry I. Harriman, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, will address the Washington Board of Trade at its monthly meeting at 8 pm. Friday in the Mayflower Hotel. His sub- ject is to be an- nounced later. The meeting also will be ad- dressed by Dr, William McClel- lan, president of the Potomac Electric Power Co. The board is expected to con- | sider a report on | health insurance, | which has been approved previously by its Public | Health Committee, Dr. Arthur C. | Christie, chairman. The report favors delay in enact- ‘mrm of any legislation for compul- | sory health insurance until the suc- | cess or failure of dealing with the sick through agencies already set up ‘and others contemplated have been Henry I Harriman. given due trial. The report declares |any form of compulsory health in- | surance would mean an increase in | the tax burden. | Reviewing the situation here for | caring for the sick, the report de- | clares: |~ “There is now under way in Wash- | ington an attempt to utilize plans which have proven successful in other cities and to establish here a com- prehensive plan to solve the social- economic aspects of medical care. This | plan has been developed after careful | study of the experience of others and | of the needs of our own community | and is being gradually placed in op- ‘erauon through the co-operative efforts of the Medical and Dental So- cieties, the hospitals, the Commu- | nity Chest, the Board of Public Wel- | fare, the Council of Social Agencies |and many public-spirited citizens. The | Central Admitting Bureau is already | in full operation and, in close co-op- | eration with the Board of Public Wel- | fare, is, for the first time in our his- | tory effecting a systematization of the | medical and hospital care of the in- | digent.” Robert V. Fleming, president of the Board of Trade, will preside at the meeting. Fight Fraud Promotions. The Better Business Bureau has been co-operating with the Federal Security and Exchange Commission to stop fraudulent stock promotions in the District, and seeks to have ap- plied the Federal blue-sky law toward this end. The law, Louis Rothschild, director of the Better Business Bureau, pointed out yesterday, takes in interstate commerce and the District of Colum- bia and would furnish the necessary | teeth to put a stop to fraudulent pro- motions here. In a recent promotional scheme here, the head of the organization is already under indictment for fraudu- | lent operations in a State, Rothschild said. Another recent fake scheme is a gold mine stock promotion. | Plan Dinner Wednesday. The fuel oil and oil burner division of the Merchants and Manufactur- | ers’ Association will hold a dinner | Wednesday night in the Hamilton | Hotel. Lester S. Scott, manager of the Loughborough Oil Co., recently | was elected chairman of the division, | succeeding Otto G. Raymond. J. J. Hasley, superintendent of the Palais Royal, recently was chosen | head of the department of store man- agers’ group of the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association, succeed- ing Sylvan King. This group met last Wednesday at the Raleigh Hotel. 154 Conventions This Year. Money spent in Washington in Jan- uary and February of this year by convention delegates and tourists was | S close to three- quarters of a mil- lion dollars more than spent by them during those months last year, it is an- nounced by Cur- tis Hodges, direc- tor of the Greater Nationel Capital Committee. An increase of 15,115 in the number of tourists for the two months of this year over January and Feb- | ruary of last year is estimated on the basis of records of sightseers kept at the Smithsonian Institution. Hodges says also that indications are that an unusually large sum will be spent here during the remainder of this year, probably a number of millons more than in 1934. He reports much interest in the Shriner convention to be held here in June is shown throughout the coun- try and estimates at least 100,000 will visit Washington for the convention. The total number of national con- ventions scheduled to be held here this year, including those already held, is 154. This is regarded as satisfac- tory at this early date in the year and indicates that unless there are some unforeseen difficulties, the con- ventions of 1934 should be equaled or exceeded, Hodges says. The prospects for 1936 are even better, with 98 conventions already scheduled for that year. Curtis Hodges. P Trolley Bus Suggested. The use of a trolley bus, whereby the vehicle would run from power supplied by an overhead trolley, yet could pull over to the curb to load and unload passengers, was suggested at a recent transportation meeting in Petworth. use. It is suggested that a similar campalgn, which would include all fuels, would be helpful. The steam railroads, steam shov- els and some of the Government buildings have been among the chief offenders. Citizens’ associa- tions have persistently protested against the heavy smoke from the railroads, which has begrimed the painted surfaces and the foliage in some of the attractive suburban areas. The present smoke law, apparently, dces not apply to the railroads, so only slight relief has been had through occasional ap- peals to the higher-up officials of the companies. A report from a committee of the Federation of Citizens’ Associa- tions is now about due and is expected to contain a discussion of the two bills being offered to cure b bmn acknowledged nuisance.