Evening Star Newspaper, April 28, 1935, Page 36

D4 SOUTHWEST LACK OF RECREATIONAL FAGILITIES SCORED Program for Improvement Is Drawn Up and Ap- proved by Citizens. Regarding child welfare as a most important factor in any community, 4 report has been submitted to the Bouthwest Citizens’ Association by Harry S. Wender, chairmen of the Law and Legislative Committee on recreational facilities in Southwest, with a suggested program for im- provement. In his report, Wender said rec- reational facilities in the area have been neglected shamefully for years, but that an opportunity now pre- sents itself for the association to adopt a definite program for recrea- tional development worthy of ac- complishment. For the last 15 years practically nothing has been spent for recrea- tional purposes in Southwest, except for the erection of a fence around Hoover playground last season, Wen- der said. He added that Hoover playground {s the only white playground in Southwest at the present time, and although it is used by a large num- ber of underprivileged children, rep- resents perhaps the most disgrace- ful recreational center in the city in appearance and equipment. The playground is lacking in all kinds of athletic material such ss bats, balls, sliding boards and tennis courts. Field House Needed. It is felt that a large modern field house in which the children might play in the Winter, is greatly needed. This building was promised the section some time ago. Pointing out that its presence would act as a deterring factor in child adolescent delinquency, Wender said its use as a gymnasium should be stressed be- cause indoor games cannot be played in Southwest due to the absence of such facilities, even in public schools Because of the denial of the use of swimming and wading pools in southwest, deaths by drowning have appalled residents for years because boys have sought relief from the blis- tering Summer heat by swimming in the Potomac River. In an effort to convert Hoover Playground into a recreational cen- ter sufficiently large to meet demands of this section, Wender recommended that immediate steps be taken.to ob- tain the land adjoining it. He pointed out that at the south- east corner of Second and N streets southwest, there is a small area oc- cupled by shacks and a vacant lot which adjoin’ the playground. On the east stde of the playground is the filled-in bed of the old James Creek Canal, which for years has been used as a public dump. In his report Wender said that if the new Jefferson Junior High School is not built on the site occupied by the old one, the old buildings should be razed and the land converted into recreational uses. The following program as submitted by Wender lists the projects in their relative order of importance. It was unanimously approved at a meeting of the Southwest Recreational Council at which representatives from the Playgrounds Department, Council of Social Agencies and the Southwest Citizens’ Association were present. Program Drawn Up. 1. On the Hoover playground: In- stallation of a wading pool, construc- tion of tennis courts and backstops, replacement of sand in sand box, sliding boards, balls, bats, tennis racquets; construction of a new field house, recreation hall and gymnasium; | purchase of shacks and vacant lot ad- | Joining the playground ’t the south- | east corner of Second and N streets| southwest, the transfer of the former | James Creek Canal property adjoin- | ing Hoover playground on the east | from the jurisdiction of the architect of the Capitol to the Playgrounds De- partment of the District, and the pur- | chase of the abandoned brick yard and present automobile dump adjoining the playground on the south. | 2. The playground area at proposed | Jefferson Junior High School at Sev- | enth and H streets southwest: The | grading, developing and equipping of | this area for utilization by the Play-| grounds Department. 3. Replacement of swimming pooln‘ in Potomac Park: Construction by the National Capital Parks Office of a | modern swimming pool in East Po- tomac Park if and when the old municipal swimming pools are de- molished. 4. Development of old Jefferson Junior High School site: Upon com- pletion of the new Jefferson Junior High School it is recommended that the old school be demolished and the property be turned over to the Play- grounds Department for utilization as & recreational center. The Southwest association -was strongly in favor of such a program and indorsed it in a resolution. SOUTHWEST CITIZENS | OBTAIN BOYS’ CLUBf Gala Opening for Recreation Cen- ter at 472 I Street Southwest Set for May 15. After struggling for years to obtain @ boys’ club, the Southwest Citizens’ Association has completed legal de- tails as well as remodeling of a build- ing at 472 I street southwest, to be used for the club. The 10-roor: building was donated for the club ™ the Myra McCoy An- drews Day Nursery and is considered an excellent building with an un- limited space for expansion. The present proposed plans include the construction of a asium to the rear of the building and an indoor swimming pool. All funds for remodeling were al- Jotted from the Metropolitan Police Boys' Club, under the supervision of Maj. Ernest W. Brown and a fund set aside for the club by the Southwest Citizens’ Association. A gala ceremony is planned for the opening of the club on May 15. The program will consist of the regular meeting of the Southwest Citizens' Association, music and speakers. E. J. Schaffer, president of the association, described the opening night as being much like the parade held by the citizens on the opening of Fourth Street. The club house will be furnished with facilities for all kinds of recre- ation. It will also consist of a library. It is estimated that the club will have 8 membership of 1,500 boys living in southwest. THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, West End Group Urges Bridge Removal struction of a new bridge. Riverside drive and Virginia avenue. FO0D PIE BOOST STUDY IS SOLEHT Walter Irey of Takoma Park | Association Makes Ap- peal by Radio. The rapid advance in the price of food commodities is a matter which| should be investigated without delay. according to Walter Irey, secretary of the Takoma Park Citizens’ Associa- tion, who a few evenings ago de- livered a radio address on the sub- | ject. Irey pointed out that the drought| of last Summer, which resulted in the destruction of crops and the death of cattle, is being reflected in this city, as elsewhere, in a shortage of foodstuffs and consequent higher prices. The shortage of foodstuffs, and the operations of the N. I. R. A. will not account for the whole increase | of the cost of living here. | Senator Lynn J. Frazier of North| Dakota, & member of the association, | in addressing the association recently | spoke on the great “spread” between | the cost received by the producer of | foodstuffs and the amount paid for | the products by the consumer. He| referred to the small amount recehu:di by the potato growers of Maine for | their products and the high price paid | | by the consumers of these potatoes | at retail places here in the District. | He said the very low price received {in recent years for wheat by the farmers of his own State and other wheat States had but little, if any, | | effect upon the prices of loaves of | | bread in Washington. A regulation | | of this matter would bring about a ! reasonable profit to the farmer and a- fair price to the consumer. “Then there is the matter of high rents,” continued Irey. “Moving to a less expensive section of town has solved the problem for some. Others | have changed from renters to owners; | gone far out into the suburbs where | prices of property are low and a garden can be raised and citizens can keep in touch with the city and their daily duties by the use of a low-priced auto- | mobile. We should not be precipitate in our action. Let each citizen- | consumer and each citizen-merchant solve his own problem so far as he can. Meanwhile. let's find out more about the underlying causes. These discussions and studies are now going on in the individual citizens’ associa- | tions, should head up into the Federa- tion of Citizens’ Associations and a plan be adopted for a local ract-' finding committee. Let this commit- tee ascertain whether as a matter of | fact prices in Washington are higher | than is warranted and if so, what prices are fair.” 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: National representation for District of Columbia (S. J. Res. 12). In Senate Judiciary Committee. ~ District appropriation bill for 1936 fiscal year (H. R. 3973). In conference. Regulation of small loan bunnzni (H. R. 3464). House: In District | Committee. Requiring financial responsibility of motor vehicle operators (H. R. 3457, S. 408). In conference. 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 (S. 398). Senate: Passed. House: In District Committee. Substitute civilian trial board for present Police Trial Board (H. R. 2734). House: In District Committee. Abolish capital punishment (H. R. 2808). House: In District Committee. Establish training school for police- men and firemen (H. R. 2858). House: In District Committee. Amend code relating to lunaey hearings (H. R. 3451). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Amend act authorizing Commis- sioners to remove dangerous buildings (H. R. 3458). House: Passed. Amend act creating board for con- demnation of insanitary buildings (H. R. 3459). House: Passed. Regulate forclosure of mortgages and deeds of trust (H. R. 3461). House: In District Committee. Amend code relating to residence of firemen (H. R. 3641). House:* On caléndar. Amend code relating to residence of policemen (H. R. 3642). House: On calendar. Provide old-age pensions (H. 4135). House: On calendar. Provide for election of Delegates in Congress for the District (H. R. 4346). House: In District Committee. Broadening powers of Commission- ers (H. R. 4347). House: In District Committee. Prevent fouling of the atmosphere (H. R. 5332, 8. 2034). House: In Dis- trict Committee. Senate: In District Committee. ‘Tighten ligour control act (H. R. 6510). House: In District Committee. Abolish “hidden bars” (H. R. 5809). House: On calendar. R. This route necessitates the use of The bridge pictured above, which is located on K street at Twenty-ninth street, has been branded by the West End Citizens' Association as a serious traffic hazard that should immed: ly be done away with by con- Since traffic congestion has become so great on M street and Pennsylvania avenue the citizens point out that an ever increasing number of drivers go to and from work via Twenty-ninth street, this small two-lane bridge, and the citizens assert that at certain times traffic has been paralyzed at the bridge for more than a half hour. —=Star Staff Photo. Notes on Coming Meetings Federation to Consider Public Utility Questions. Discussion of Taxi Rates Planned by Two Groups This Week. The Federation. UBLIC utilities and public wel- fare matters are the main order of business for the meet- ing of the Federation of Citizens' Associations Saturday night, David Babp, secretary, an- nounces. The return received from gas and light rates by the gas and light com- panies will be reported on, Chairman William McK. Clayton of the Public Utllities Committee says. Complaint has also been made by member as- sociations of the dilapidated condition of street cars. This also will be re- ported on. Southeast. NDING its membership drive this week, the Southeast Citizens' Association will have over 150 | members, Orrin J. Davy, secretary, | states. As a result of a recent proposal of Peoples’ Counsel William A. Roberts, to replace street cars east of Eighth street and Pennsylvania avenue south- east with busses, citizens of the area are “up in the air,” Davy says. In the mornings, he says, it will be im- possible for residents between Eighth bus. They will all be crowded with passengers from the other side of the Anacostia River. Roberts and a repre- sentative of the transit company will be present to discuss the situation Tuesday night, Davy says. The Rhode Island Avenue Citizens’ Association 'has sent the Southeast body a resolution scoring the unsani- tary condition of street cars. Action . on this resolution also will probably | be taken. A proposal to cut through the parkways on Pennsyluania avenue southeast to facilitate turns in | the middle of some of the more im- | portant blocks instead of at the corner, is expected to be considered, he says. Washington Highlands. HE Washington Highlands Citi- | zens' Association holds its final meeting of this season Thurs- day. Having met at various mem- bers’ houses during the past season President W. Earl Nair announces this week's meeting will be at the home ‘of the vice president, H. A. Yeager, 4235 Nichols avenue southeast. Taxicab rates affect the area very unfairly, Nair says, and efforts will be made Thursday night " to secure uniform rates. The association be- lieves rates should be controlled by | the Public Utilities Commission. Local residents, Nair asserts, are confused | by one cab company charging one rate | and cabs of other companies charging other rates. People’s Counsel William A. Rob- erts will speak and final standing committee reports also will be made. Central. TREET repair assessments on abut- ting property owners along North Capitol street has long been the object of an intensive fight by the Central Citizens' Association, and now President F. D. Ryan says the associa- | tion will probably carry its fight to the courts. ‘The trouble began, Ryan says, when the District ordered repairs along North Capitol street. At the time most of the residents felt the thor- oughfare was in no great need of repair. To add to the tax burden of abutting property owners, however, Ryan states, the street was com- pletely torn up and a new street laid. At its meeting Wednesday night | members will discuss plans for carry- ing the fight into the courts for a tax exemption. Assessments are not uniform on all property owners, Ryan declares, adding that “nearly 20" rates have been made to adjacent property owners. This will be the association’s first meeting since March—it having omit- ted its April meeting. Burroughs. EORGANIZATION of the District government plans were made by the Burroughs Citizens' Asso- ciation as early as June, 1933, Wilbur 8., Finch, secretary, declares. Since that time, many other plans have been advanced and those most considered by the citizens’ associations in recent months embody the salient features of the original Burroughs plan. A special committee Was re- cently appointed to study the Federa- tion of Citizens’ Associations’ proposal and report at the meeting this Friday night, Pinch says. Along with other Northeast asso- ciations, the Burroughs group is slated to consider recent bills introduced in Congress to establish railroad bridges over New York avenue northeast. The joint conference of Northeast Citizens’ Associations, of which it is a member, has opposed all pending bills because, members believe, those bills now pend- ing will nullify or seriously alter the provisions of the terminal act of 1903 which forces the railroad companies to construct three bridges over their tracks. Kenilworth. NE of the principal aims of the Kenilworth Citizens’ Association is to secure an overpass over northeast. Tomorrow t the asso- pidns ‘T " ihis | project, announces Mrs. Mabel Hub- | bell, secretary. | Two proposed amendments to its | constitution will also be acted upon, | she says. One is to create an execu- | tive committee and the other is for | the creation of the office of financial | secretary. Two resolutions of other. citizens' associations will come up for action | tomorrow night, Mrs. Hubbel states. They are the Takoma Park Citizens' Association’s measure on gas rates {and the resolution of the Rhode Is- land Avenue Citizens’ Association on | insanitary condition of street cars. Friendship. i EW zoning regulations for taxi- | cabs, as proposed in a recent | letter from People's Counsel Wil- I liam A. Roberts, will be discussed at | Wednesday's meeting of the Friend- | ship Citizens’ Association. In addition, says President S. J. Flickinger, the group will hear a final report on proposed reduction of gas | rates. Although its last meeting of | the season is scheduled for June §, | the group expects to participate in the Shrine decoration program along with other associations which have | been asked to decorate. | i RO | - |and Seventeenth streets to catch a| Lawless Named President. E. B. Lawless has been named presi- dent of the North Capitol Citizens' | Association for the remainder of the year, succeeding the late B. J. Mc- Guirl in that office. James W. Crooks has taken over the | office of acting secretary in the ill- | Dess of Jesse W. Morgan. [l Civic Calendar [ 11 Meetings Scheduled to | Be Held During Com- | ing Week. Monday, April 29. Kenilworth Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Kenilworth Recreation Center. Trinidad Citizens' Association, 8 p.m., Wheatley School Library. Tuesday, April 30. Logan-Thomas Circle Citizens' As- sociation, 8 p.m., 1120 Rhode Island avenue. ; | Southeast Citizens' Association, 8 { p.m., Buchanan School. Wednesday, May 1. Association of Oldest Inhabitants, 7:30 p.m., Old Union Engine House. Central Citizens’ Association, 8 p.m., Blake School. Friendship Citizens’ Association, 8 | pm., Janney School. ‘Thursday, May 2. Washington Highlands Citizens’ As- | sociation, 8 p.m., 4235 Nichols avenue | southeast. Friday, May 3. Burroughs Citizens’ “Association, 8 pm., John Burroughs School. Chillum Heights Citizens’ Associa- | tion, 8 pm., Keene School. Saturday, May 4. Federation of Citizens’ Associations, 8 pm., board room, District Building. i D. C, APRIL 28, 1935—PART TWO. Civic Problems, Civic Bodies | |[\|: AND M. OUTING CITIZENS OPPOSE NORTHEAST AREA HOUSING PROJECT Transportation and School Facilities Already Are In- adequate, Is Claim. Already believing the area insuffi- clently served with transportation and school facllities, opposition has arisen among citizens' associations of the Northeast quarter to proposed estab- lishment of a better housing project south of Rhode Island avenue north- east. ‘When plans for the project were an- nounced, the Michigan Park Citizens’ Association and the Burroughs Citi- zens' Association flatly opposed it, A. F. E. Scheer, president, Joint Con« ference of Northeast Citizens’ Asso- clations, announced yesterday. In ad- dition, his own group, the Dahilgren Terrace Citizens’ Association and the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens' Asso- clation opposed further plans until study of the proposal could be ma by committees. Want Representation. In an effort to be adequately rep- resented in the matter, Scheer intro- duced a resolution at the last meeting of the Federation of Citizens’ Asocia- tions asking that two Federation dele- gates be appointed to the newly-named ‘Washington Committee on Housing, in charge of the northeast projcet. The Committee on Housing is an ad- visory group with no official author- ity or responsibility. Its 21 members are appointed from local residents by President Roosevelt. Scheer's resolution as adopted by the federation points out that the fed- eration is not represented on this housing committee whereas the local residents “may be materially affected” by the projects proposed for the Dis- | trict. The provision asking for two members from the federation also re- ceived the indorsement of delegates. Last week David Babp, federation secretary, forwarded the plea in & letter to the White House. Opposition to the project, Scheer stated, is based on already insufficient transportation facilities. If several thousand more residents are suddenly placed in the area, resjdents feel the situation will become acute, he said. | In addition there are insufficient school facilities for the many children al- ready there. | Associations of the area have long | | lamented the complete isolation of the | | territory, because of the lack of, bridges | | over surrounding railroad tracks, and the seriousness of fire protection ba- cause of this isolation. Scheer lieves the influx of so large a popula- tion will seriously endanger the safety }or residents now there. The Dahigren | Terrace group is opposd to what is termed as a “floating population,” | Scheer states. Last month, Scheer continued, the | association wrote to Public Works Ad- | ministrator Ickes asking that final plans for the project be withheld until | the residents most affected could study the proposals. To date. Scheer | states. no reply has been made to | his letter, but plans have proceeded in locating the housing project. | Meanwhile, Wilbur S. Finch, secre- tarv of the Burroughs group. wrote a | similar letter. In a reply from Horatio | B. Hackell, Federal emergency admin- | | istrator, Finch declared, it was stated that the houses would be of a modern type and would not be objectionable | to residents of the area. Scheer says many are afraid of lo- | cating the project in Northeast be- {cause it is felt it will be used for | slum-clearing purposes and will result in an undesirable type of resident. | GIRL, SCOUT COUNCIL | TG HOLD FUNDS DRIVE Campaign Will Begin Monday to Finance Continued Ac- tivities. Special Dispatch to The Star. HYATTSVILLE, Md. April 27.—A | | drive for funds to continue activities | | of the Prince Georges County Girl Scout Council starts Monday. There are 265 active Scouts in the county and 35 “Brownies,” in 12 troops and two packs, with 22 leaders and 50 committeewomen. | ‘The council is made up of 15 women. It has a three-fold program: Homemaking, citizenship and out-of-| door life. The council has a day camp | on the Marlow property near College Park, which is open free three days | a week during the Summer, with a| paid director, trained volunteer coun- | cilors and a regular program, includ- ing nature study, pioneering, wood- craft, handcraft, games, songs and dramatics. Last Summer the average attendance was 30 girls each day, with 213 different girls attending during the season. Mrs. Harry Boswell, 9 Ralston avenue, Hyattsville, is recelving dona- | tions for the Scouts. Announces Candidacy for Commonwealth Attorneyship. Plans to Continue With Civic Work Despite Virginia Residence. of Georgetown for many years, has resigned as secretary of the Georgetown Citizens’ Associa- tion with the announcement of his candidacy for commonwealth's attorney of Arlington County, Va. Jones, although now a resident of Lyon Village, Va., still intends to re- main active in the association. He maintains a law office in Georgetown. Among various improvements in that area, sponsored by the citizens’ association during his seven years as secretary, are: The development of Rock Creek Parkway, the establish- ment of a Georgetown branch of the Public Library. the sponsoring of a Georgetown Boys' Club and many school improvements. John H. Small, president, in ac- | cepting Jones’ resignation, said he knew of no one “who had been more loyal and faithful in the association.” Jones also was the first president wn JOHN PAUL JONES, a resident the office of vice president of that mfl’immwm«m honor, Jones served two years as g John Paul Jones Resigns Post In Georgetown Citizens’ Unit JOHN PAUL JONES. supreme chief justice of the Phi Beta Gamma Legal Praternity. Othef activities in which he is active are the Arlington County Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Com- merce, the Young Democratic Club of Arlington County, the Falls Church Young Democratic Club. He is also director of advertising of the Northern Virginia Democrat. In an effort to obtain a bar asso- ciation library of Arlington County, Jones, as chairman of the committee, has appeared before the county board in their behalf. Jones was Cailfornia Legislature Seeks District V ote—Method Sought to Interest All Representatives in Washington Affairs. BY JESSE C. SUTER. ISTRIOT day in the House last Monday nearly cleared the calendar of District measures. Among the five bills passed were the Senate bill authorizing = P. W. A, loan to the District to construct the court buildings on Judiciary Square, which included a House amendment authorizing inclusion of $100,000 for improve- ments to the Children's Hospital. As this is written advice is re- ceived that the conferees have agreed to the House amendments and the bill's passage is assured. Another important bill passed in this group is the amendment to the public utility law limiting the scope of appeals to the courts from decisions of the Public Utili- ties Commission. This is planned to expedite the final determina- tion of all important public utility matters. The other bills were to permit & private firm to construct petroleum pipes under certain streets, to amend the charter of & corpora- tion operating a large music store and one authorizing the issuance of congressional automobile license tags to the assistant parlia- mentarian of the House of Repre- sentatives and to the journal and tally clerks of that body. Because of its controversial na ture, the bill to abolish the so- called hidden bars was not called up for consideration and it is rumored that an attempt will be made to withdraw it from the calendar. This indicates a vic- tory for Commissioner George E. Allen, who announced that the hidden bars would go only over his dead body. It is predicted that Allen’s life will be spared. ‘The House District Committee has favorably reported the Ellen- bogen unemployment compensa- tion bill and the Norton old-age assistance bill. The Smith bills granting policemen and firemen the privilege of residing outside of the District within the metro- politan area have also been re- ported favorabiy. Favorable report of the airport bill by the House committee, pro- viding for a commission of seven to select a site and a commission of three to operate a local airport, is the occasion for surprise and protest b some of the civic bodies. This action includes the definite rejection of the generally approved Gravelly Point site. The automobile responsibility bill, which has passed both houses, is still in conference. The es- sential difference is in regard to the application of the provisions of the law to motorists from out of town. The supporters of this legislation point to the fact that this is a safety messure which should apply with equal force to all who drive motor vehicles on the Capital's ‘highways. The District appropriation bill, which continues in conference, is of cours?, the most important of all District matters at the Capitol. The District Appropriation Sub- committees of the House and Senate and the conferees on the appropriation bill are really the governing bodies of the District. The legislative committees bring out and secure the passage of virious measures but in most cases such legislation is only effective it supported by adequate appro- priations. Outstanding problems before the Commissioners during the week werc the proposed mew di- vorce law. which was approved: the replacement of Chain Bridge and the proposal to amend the law governing the sale of coal by substituting the standard 2,000- pound ton for the long ton of 2,240 pounds. California Legislature Would Americanize Washington. NEW experience was enjoyed last week by “voteless” Dis- trict of Columbia in its long fight for voice and vote in the councils of the Nation. There was received at the Capitol from the Governor of California coples of a joint resolution adopted by both houses of the State Legisla- ture approving the proj amendment to the Constitution empowering Congress to grant to the District national representa- tion. The resolution further pe- titioned Congress to submit such amendment to the States for rati- fication. Copies of the resolution went to the Vice President, Speaker of the House and to the members of the California dele- gation. California’s Senators and Rep- resentatives ‘were respectfully urged to support such legisla- tion. This memorial from the State Legislature of California is the first action of this kind to be noted. Last year a similar resolu- tion was offered in the special ses- sion of the Virginia Legislature, but it came too late in the session to receive action. The action in California appears to be the first fruits of the campaign inaugurated last Winter by Miss Marguerite M. Wells, president of the National League of Woman Voters, upon assuming that office. She appealed to the various State leagues to bring the matter to the attention of their Legislatures and urge their memorializing -Con- gress. Miss Wells is much gratified that California has taken the lead which, she is confident, will be fol- lowed by many other States. Civic leaders are much en- couraged by this latest approval of the justice of the District’s cause. They regard the granting of voting participation in the councils of the Nation as a matter of first importance and the only means of assuring them fair play as American citizens. How to Arouse Interest Of Congress in District. P N EVERY hand these days civic leaders are asking the ques- tion, “What can we do to arouse the friendly interest of the rank and file of the members of Congress in the urgent needs of and a policy of fair play toward the District?” This is really con- sidered as the most pressing of immediate problems. These civic- minded ones are familiar with the many needs that mean so much to the health, the safety and gen- eral welfare of this American community which is bsolutely dependent upon Congres:. They have followed through its various stages the pending District of Columbia sppropriation bill. They know full well that the bill as approved by the Budget Bureau and also as passed by the House fell far short of meeting require- ments. These deficiencies are par- ticularly apparent as to necessary school accommodations. They bave been much en- ¢ couraged by the friendly attitude of the Senate and its subcommit- tee, which s0 patiently listened to the recital of actual urgent needs, many of which received the ap- proval of the Senate. They are now much disturbed and dis- couraged as word comes to them that the Senate conferees are being forced to yield most of the urgently needed items which make up the Senate amendments. ‘Then there is that other item of annual controversy, the amount which the United States will as- sume as its share of the expense of its own National Capital. Seve eral prominent citizens have ex- pressed the opinion they are satis- fled that if the rank and file of Congress could only be made acquainted with the truth the re- sult would be favorable to the District. But that is the problem for which no one has as yet offered & solution, Press reports of the last District day in the House gave the at- tendance as 55 when the bill was passed authorizing the Commis- sioners to borrow several million dollars for the erection of the courts units of the Municipal Cen- ter. This is said to be about the usual number present for the con- sideration of District legislation. A place in the Hall of Fame awaits the civic worker who solves the problem of enlisting the active and friendly interest of the other 380 members of the lower branch of the District’s exclusive legislature. 41st Annual Shad Bake Of Board of Trade. N SATURDAY, May 18, the Board of Trade will hold its forty-first annual shade bake at the Marine base at Quantico, Va. This will be a new departure as for some years Sherwood Forest and )ater Bay Rridge, both in Maryland, have been the scene of these outings. In the earlier days Marshall Hall and sometimes River View were selected and the trip ‘was made by boat. These shad bakes mark the close of the general gatherings of the organization for its fiscal year. A good dinner, interesting entertain- ment, field sports and contests of various kinds are provided and above all there is a fine oppor- tunity afforded for hobnobbing and discussing District problems. Usually there are among the spe- cial guests members of the Senate and House of Representatives, members of the judiciary and Fed- eral and District officials. It is a fine occasion for the making of all sorts of civic and official contacts and, aside from the purely social side, has long been recognized as one of the Board of Trade's most practical activities. ‘The annual election of directors of the Board of Trade was held at its last meeting of the season on Thursday night. Committee Joint Hearing On Proposed Rent Control. EGISLATIVE committees on L the District of Columbia of the Senate and House are to hold a joint hearing on the local rent situation on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the caucus room of the old House Office Building. The de- mand for some legislation con- trolling rents is understood to come from the labor organizations and from Government employes. Some members of the House are also complaining that they, too, are victims of “gouging” in rents. The Senate District Committee during the last Congress had an investigation made and recently a committee representing organized labor has made a survey. Pending before these committees of the Senate and House are two pro- posals, one for a congressional in- vestigation into the rent situation and the other for the creation of a rent commission similar to the one during the World War. This question does not appear to have had the attention of the various civic bodies, probably due to the fact that their membership is made up very largely of home owners, who consequently have no direct contact with the matter. A New Chain Bridge Again Live Issue. ECENT conierences have aroused a new interest in the proposal to replace the old Chain Bridge with a safe and more convenient structurc. More than a week ago there was an in- formal conference in the office of Representative Howard W. Smith of the eighth Virginia district re- garding a solutiof of this vexing problem. There were present rep- resentatives from Arlington and Fairfax Counties, Va.: representa- tives from the Washington Board of Trade, Federation of Citizens’ Associations and the Conduit Road Citizens’ Association. At this meet- ing a committee was appointed representing each of these groups and they in company with Repre- sentative Smith conferred with the entire Board of District Commis- sioners on Tuesday last. Throughout each of these con- ferences there was general agree- ment that a bridge was needed to replace the present antiquated and weakened structure. A slight di- vision of opinion existed as to whether the proper replacement was with & new high level bridge at a cost of from $1,250,000 to $2,000,000 or to build a new super- structure on the present piers, which would be thoroughly recon- ditioned and raised in height, at & cost estimated at $350.000. It developed that most of those in the conference were of the opinion that the latter plan is the most practical and one that stands & much better chance of early ac- complishment than the more ex- pensive one. The representatives from Conduit Road Association were at first inclined to insist on the high level bridge so as to give them easy access and convenient means of crossing the river. When it was explained that a road could be constructed to connect that sec- tion with the proposed low level bridge they announced that they felt that the association would join forces with the advocates of the low level structure. While the Commissioners did not at the conference announce what stand they would take, they expressed themselves as inclined to favor the lower level and lower priced structure. They announced they would promptly reach a de- cision. The general opinion was expressed by all those present that s high level bridge at that point, if at all, was a project for the remote future and should be financed by the Pederal Government. A low level bridge, it is proposed, would be in the District budget. MAY BE DEFERRED DUE TO SHRINERS Board of Trade Shadbake Will Be Held May 18 at Quantico. Because of the Shrine convention, scheduled early in June, the annual outing of the Merchants and Manu- facturers’ Association may be post- poned. The Shriners will not, however, in- terfere with the forty-first annual shadbake of the Board of Trade. Ac- cording to present plans the Trade Board's members will go to Quantico May 18 to hold their annual function. Meanwhile L. Pierce Boteler has been asked to serve as chairman of the com- mittee to collect voluntary food con- tributions made by board members. M. & M. to Choose Officers. On Tuesday the board of governors of the Merchants and Manufacturers’ Association will hold its annugl meet- ing in the offices in The Star Building to determine who will control the poli- cies of the organization for the next 12 months. James E. Colliflower, presiaent, wiil 9e in oharge of the an- nual meeting and accept whatever nominations are made. Colliflower announced yesterday that Louis Levay, treasurer of the Mer- chants and Manufacturers' Associa- tion, has been selected as the Wash- ington unit’s councillor to the Cham- ber of Commerce of the United States, whose annual meeting will be held here during the coming week. Ford Young was chosen alternate councilor. As delegate the association elected R. P. Andrews. Arthur J. Sundlun |wu chosen alternate delegate. Four to Name Leaders. The Better Business Bureau has named a committee to chose its lead- ers for the coming year. Reorganization must be completed during the first week in June, and { the following committee has been | designated by Louis Rothschild, man- ager. to name the new officers: B. B. Bergunder, chairman; Y. E. Booker, Herbert J. Rich and Joshua Evans, jr. New Membership Record. When the Washington Board of | Trade held its annual meeting last Thursday night. particular tribute was paid to Harry H. E. Helwig, chairman of the Membership Committee. For years the Board of Trade has been ambitious to bring within its | ranks a representative membership of | men who are indirectly, through | their busiress, contributing to the wel- fare of the Capital City. From time to time the organiza- tion has met with recurring success in listing this sort of membership, but | until the past year there have been | many business men who, because of their duties, have been beyond the reach of the active campaigners of the organization. During the last year. however, Helwig has found a method to reach these hidden possibilities, and when the annual meeting was held he was given particular citation for the fine work he has done The fact is that during the last | year the Board of Trade has made | greater gains in membership than ever before in all its history. Staff Good, Too. Curtis Hodges, executive director of the Greater National Capital Com- mittee, was particularly praised at the annual meeting of the Board of Trade last week. ‘The regular employes of Hodges' staff who have made it possible for his work as a combined convention { and hotel bureau to have been a suc- | cess during the annual Spring and Easter visits of tourists to Washing- ton, also come in for their share of commendation | On numerous occasions when Hodges had to be away from the of- | fice he has had to depend upon his assistants to carry on and they have found that their work as a conven- J tion bureau can be done just as well, | because of Mr. Hodges' training, in | his absence as when he is present, | Members of the Greater National | capital Committee's staff who have | been particularly successful in bring- ‘lng large delegations to Washington are Roy Miller, Thomas Lockart, Fran- ces Stubbs shippen, Miss Sue Part- ridge, Miss Frances Hisey, Miss Ethel Heyser, Miss Margaret Clore and | Miss Bernadine Poore. | In addition to this regular staff, several clerks have been loaned to the | committee from the Board of Trade |or have been temporarily hired to | take care of the rush of demands for rooms during the cherry blossom sea- son. SEEK BETTER LAWNS homes North In an effort to beautify the and lawns in the area of the Capitol Citizens’ Association, that | body is distributing circulars urging residents of the community to spruce up their premises. The circulars will be distributed by | hand to those persons living near | members of the association and will | be mailed to the other residents of the community. Four Members Admitted. Maurice V. O'Connell, Mrs. Edna Morgan, George Reynolds and H. P. Lehman were admitted to membership in the North Capitol Citizens' As- soclation at the last meeting of the group. — . = Double Operatic Bill. ’I'HE Estelle Wentworth Opera Group, under Miss Wentworth's direc- tion, will be heard in a double bill: of opera at Roosevelt audtiorium Tues- day night, May 14, under the auspices of the Community Center Department. The two operas chosen by the group for its Spring production are Mas- cagni's “Cavelleria Rusticana” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial By Jury.” Tickets will be placed on sale for this production May 1, at downtown agencies, as well as at the Community Center Department, Franklin Admin- istration Building. Webster Lodge is scheduled to con- fer the Page Rank next Tuesday eve- ning. The last grand visitation of the Spring was held in -joint session by Calanthe and Mount Vernon Lodges. Grand Chancellor Berryman and his officers paid their annual official visit. Syracusians Lodge omitted its meet- ing on Good Priday. Master of Work O'Roark announces on May 3 it will confer the Page Rank on a class. Rathbone Temple, Pythian Sisters, received the application of Mrs. Dalsy Wrightman for reinstatement, <