Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1937, Page 21

Washington News e PAY RASE URGED | BYVANDENBERG N LON .. BRACKET General Increase Fails to Win Approval of Michigan Republican. TO SEEK CAREER STATUS FOR POSTAL SERVICE Senator Favors Competitive Tests in Extension of Civil Service System. A movement to raise the salaries of | Government employes in the lowest brackets would meet with the approval of Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of Michigan, he made known today. | Describing the pay level in those brackets as ‘“infamously low,” he added: 1 “A Government which tells private | business to pay a living wage ought to practice what it preaches.” The Michigan Senator said, how- ever, he would not favor a general sal- | ary increase throughout the Govern- ment service. Senator McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada is studying the salary problem with a view to deter- mining what would be a fair plan to recommend to Congress. Has Postmaster Bill. Senator Vandenberg also an-! nounced he will reintroduce in the | mnew Congress his bill to place the Post | Office Department on the basis of a | career service. His measure would re- | quire appointment of postmasters to be made by promotion of employes in the postal service who have the qualifi- eations of age, education, residence and experience. When eligibles are not ! available for promotion within the de- partment the Civil Service Commis- sion would be directed to hold an open tompetitive examination. The civil service law would be made to apply to first, second and third class postmasters or to any other class that may be created in future. Would Extend Service. The positions of first, second. third and fourth assistant posmaster gen- erals, purchasing agent and controller of the department also would be brought within the civil service re- quirements. Commenting on the question of whether the civil service system should be applied to all Federal bureaus not now covered by it, Senator Vanden- berg said, he would be for its exten- sion to permanent agencies, but not to temporary establishments in which it might be construed as giving a vest- ed right for continuance. He also ad- vocated a competitive rather than a non-competitive examination for in- | cumbents in cases where civil service is extended. The first step, he said, ghould be to decide which of the agencies outside of civil service are | permanent or semi-permanent. | GOVERNMENT FORCE | IN DISTRICT GAINS| 282 Added in November—Total Now 114,792—National Figure Decreases. After slumping since June, Federal employment advanced here in Novem- ber, 282 persons being added to the rolls to bring the total to 114,792, the monthly report of the Civil Service Commission showed yesterday. | Elsewhere there was a drop of 2,246 | to 724,261, due principally to the sea- sonal reduction in War and Interior Department labor. The net loss of 1,964 bringing the aggregate District-field personnel to 839,053, was accompanied by a pay roll reduction of approximately $800,000 to 3130,237,173. In addition, the Agri- culture Department paid out slightly more than $1,218,000 for temporary field workers, a customary disburse- ment. | In the District the old line agencies remained at approximately the Octo- ber level in November; the so-called “New Deal” organizations picked up, and the works groups dwindled. Social security added about 700 employes to | raise its force to nearly 2,100. i HEALTH ACTIVITIES DURING YEAR CITED| Medical-Dental Service Bureau Established to Aid Low- Income Groups. Establishment of the Medical-Dental Service Bureau, to enable persons of low incomes to obtain proper medical and dental care, and the co-operation of the District Medical Society with the District Health Department in fer- reting out cases of tuberculosis, were described today by the society as the high lights of its activities during 1936. “There has been a definite dispo- sition on the part of the people as a ‘whole to seek medical service when needed, indicating very definitely their improved economic status,” the so- clety added in a comment on the practical business side of medical practice. “In addition, there has been a very definite improvement in} their attention to bills for services ren- ; dered. “Prom the standpoint of the med- {cal care of the indigent and the low- salaried group of individuals needing medical care there has been very con- structive action on the part of the profession as & whole in the form of the Medical-Dental Service Bureau (Eighth and I streets) which has anade it possible for hundreds of indi- viduals with low incomes, each month to secure the desired medical care for service charges commensurate with their incomes.” T e T Reich Honors Sub Victims. At the annual service in London for thise who lost their lives in the sub- marine fighting in the World War a wreath from the German Navy was placed on the submarine war me- morial. & Girl Born at 12:05 Is Washington’s First 1937 Baby | ‘The first Washington baby of the new year, a girl, was born to Mrs. Lenora Taylor, 2330 Georgia avenue, in Freedmen's Hospital at 12:05 a.m. today. The baby has not been named. Mr. and Mrs. Hampton Bohrer, 4907 Wisconsin avenue, are the parents of the second 1937 baby, also a girl, born at Georgetown University Hospital. CENTRAL'S ALUMNI 10 HOLD REUNION Certificates of Distinction Will Be Awarded to Four Graduates. Presentation of certificates of dis- tinction to four of its members will be the high light of the twenty-eighth annual reunion of the Alumni Asso- ciation of Central High School this afternoon and evening in the school building, Thirteenth and Clifton streets. The program will begin at 2 p.m. with a basket ball game between the | alumni and the Central High varsity team. The alumni meeting, election of officers and award of certificates are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be followed by dancing until 7 p.m. The four alumni to be honored by the association are Gideon Allen Lyon, 1885; Dr. Arthur Cutts Willard, 1897; Col. William R. Dear, 1902, and Dr.| Harold A. Wheeler, 1921. To Receive Certificate. Mr. Lyon, associate editor of The Star, will be awarded a certificate for his work in the fleld of journalism. He has been a District resident since 1877 and was graduated from the old Washington High School, later to be- | come Central, in 1885. He established the High School Review in 1886, after graduating, and joined the staff of The Star in 1887. He has been en- gaged in editorial duties since 1896. Dr. Willard, now president of the University of TIllinois, was born in Washington. He has served as cone sultant on many important engineer- ing projects, among them the Hol- land Tunnel. He received the Paul Anderson gold medal of the Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers this year and is the author of many technical books, bulletins and pam- phlets. Col. Dear has seen 28 years of serv- jce in the Army Medical Corps. Dur= ing the World War he was comman- der of great base hospitals in France ana served in Germany. He was sure geon with the American Relief Expe- dition in Russia. He was an outstand- ing athlete while at Central and later at the University of Pennsylvania. | His 220-yard-dash record at Central has stood for 34 years, and two other records have since been tied but never bettered. He was interscholastic champion of America in 1902 for 100 yards and 220 yards. Holds Radio Patents. Dr. Wheeler grew up in the field of radio and today holds many famous radio patents in the United States and Great Britain. Among his in- ventions are automatic volume con- trol, electric coupling circuits, oscile lator-modulator circuits, peak detec- tor and low-frequency amplifier. He is the author of many publications. While carrying on post-graduate work at Johns Hopkins University he in- vented a “heart amplifier,” which has since played an important part in experimental biology. For 13 years he has been head of a radio research laboratory. Albert E. Conradis, retiring presi- dent of the Alumni Association, will preside. Raymond E. Gable is chair- man of the general committee in | charge of the reunion and is assisted by Robert A. Littleford, treasurer of the association, and Richard Newby, in charge of athletic events. The athletic program, in addition to the basket ball game, will include swimming in the pool. Refreshmenis will be served in the school lunch room from 4 to 7 p.m. 300-B0OK LIBRARY GIVEN TO HOSPITAL Soroptimist Club Presents Gift to Head of Tuberculosis Institution. The Tuberculosis Hospital at Four- teenth and Upshur streets yesterday 300 books as a gift of the Soroptimist Club of Washington. Miss Ella C. Werner, club president, made the presentation to Dr. J. Winthrop Peabody, hospital superine tendent, before a number of patients and club members. On completion of the tuberculosis sanitarium at Glenn Dale, Md., the library will be transferred there. It was assembled under direction of the club’s Civic Committee, of which Mrs. Edna Knight Gasch is chairman and Mrs. Edna Hoffman is vice chairman, In 1934 the Soroptimist Club do- nated a library to Columbia Hospital and in 1935 one to the District Wom- an’'s Bureau. BROTHER AND SISTER SAVE BOY FROM FIRE Gerald Bergmann Painfully Hurt When Clothing Catches Fire in Kitchen. ‘Three-year-old Gerald Bergmann of Woodside, Md., was recovering to- day from painful burns suffered when he was playing near a kitchen stove in his home yesterda; The child, son of F. A. Bergmann, an owner of Bergmann’s Laundry here, ‘was seared on his stomach and thighs. Since he was alone in the kitchen when the accident occurred, details of the mishap were not known. His sis- ter, Barbara, 10, and brother, Jacques, 9, smothered flames in his burning clothing when he ran into the living room after the accident. ‘Treated by a private physician, Ger- ald was at home today. The doctor sald he was in no danger. He is on® of 13 children. 2 The Fn WASHINGTON, D. C, Washington Considers 1936—and Likes It Cross-Section Survey Indicates Optimistic Outlook for the Coming Year. The year 1936 is over. What has it meant to Washingtonians? The vear 1937 has begun. What are the hopes of Washingtonians? In a series of interviews with persons in many varied types of business, The Star has undertaken to find out. The interviews follow. | THE lot of a railroad engineer could | not be much better, according to | William McKay, connection work driver at Union Station. “I work from 4 to 12 p.m.,” McKay confided. “That's eight hours, you know, same as last year. But I got a raise. Most did, I guess. And there’s | a lot more men working. “A hundred new men have been employed to take care of the holiday traffic alone,” Bill explained after a cab consultation with his brakeman and two firemen. “Last year, you know, we broke all records for both freight and passenger service, but this year we have already beaten that.” Asked about the new electric en- gines, he obligingly parked his hissing steam-powered locomotive alongside one of the new “hummers.” That's T. F. Hodges, an old-timer from Phila- delphia. He'll tell you plenty.” Hodges pondered a moment in con- sideration of his streamlined electric. “Yeah, she’ll outpull and outrun a steam engine; handles better, too, but 1 drove steam 36 years. Electricity is better, but you don't get the thrill." ok ok % More Badges Sold. ANY organizations that discon- tinued conventions during de- pression years have resumed them again, with ensuing profit for Russell Cone, badge salesman, resident of nearby Arlington County, with offices in Washington. “I not only sold 50 per cent more convention and lodge groups in 1936 than in 193%, but in most cases the orders were larger. This is also true of smaller 'groups that buy only printed ribbons.” ok kK Bellhops See Quarters Again. Harriett Gilkes, head bellhop in a downtown hotel, is pleased with 1936. “We serve more people than we did a year ago, and what's more they tip with quarters instead of dimes.” L J. HOOK, automobile salesman, *looks for the best year in 1937 since 1929, despite the fact that his own personal earnings have increased three times over 1932. “People have more money now than they have had in several years,” he says. “This is evidenced by the larger down payments they are mak- ing on automobiles and in the better cars they are buying. Last year people seemed content to buy used cars. But this year the trend, for me, has been back to new car buying. This has meant a great increase in my commissions. “Within the past 90 days or so0 I have been noticing a good increase in the amount of new car business I have been getting from nearby Vir- * ok x % Car Salesman Optimistic. was presented with library of over | §inia and Maryland.” * ok X % Plumber Finds No Cheer. Joseph. W. Garner, plumber of 520 Sizth street mortheast, feels little of the optimism for the bright and rosy future of business. _m claims his business still remains where it was four years ago. “My father and I have been in business here for 40 years,” Garner says, “and the leamest years we have ever had have been the last four. Unless business improves during 1937, we will be forced to fold up and quit. driver of 505 Tenth street south- east, has observed that people are spending more money than they did 2 year ago, but wonders why both his tips and his fares have .dropped below the average. “Maybe it's because people now drive their own cars—especially the women. Women are the best tippers except when a man is with a woman and there seem to be fewer women taking cabs. My average tip is now about 5 cents. It used to be 10.” * ok ox oA Christmas Bonus Helped. “My financial status mow is just the same as it was a year ago,” P. Lambert, 1700 block of Massachu- setts avenue, a hotel room clerk, said. “The hotel’s business has picked up, but apparently mot enough to pass around any raises in pay yet. We did. however, get -6 Christmas bonus and t).nt h:lpll“' * * More Expensive Furs Soid. Plommxmmmymnm & better quality in furs than in 2 . o1 SUNDAY MORMNING EDITION 1935, according to Mrs. M. K. Marsh, employe of a local furrier. “The more expensive Persian lambs and the high-priced eastern mink { ranked first as the year's favorites, | replacing Japanese mink and Hudson | seal, the skins most in demand last year,” she said. “Silver fox also has | been very popular, and in the last few months sables in three to seven skin effects have ‘been generally wanted. We have sold many eastern mink, which run from $1,000 up, whereas in 1935 only a few even in- | quired about such furs.” The swagger coat is the favorite | style, she said. The most expensive Mrs. Marsh sold during the past 12 months was about $3,700. while in 1935 it was about $2,500. ® x *x % Window Washer “Cleans Up.” “BOY, did I clean up!” 1 Max A. De Frentz, free lance | window washer, was adding up his | 1936 ledger, and Mr. De Frentz was | serious. | “You want to know how much better 1936 was to me than 19352 Al right, I'm telling you. I cleaned up. “I made money. I'm not buying any Packards or Cadillacs, but I made dough. Not a lot of dough, under- stand, but more than I did in 1935. In fact there wasn't any comparison between the two years. In 1935 I didn't make money. “This year was different, though. | Everybody wanted their windows | cleaned and Max cleaned a lot of | them. Sometimes I cleaned the same windows twice a week. Not that I| didn’t do & good job the first time, understand (Max emphasized this point by waving a grimy chamois be- neath his interviewer's nose), but people seemed to think there was something in having shiny windows —maybe it made what they were sell- ing look better. I dunno! “Anyhow, I made money. And the other boys made money, too. If you don’t believe me, go ask ‘em your- self. I'm too busy to talk to you any more now, anyhow. I got two more jobs today down on F street. So long.” * x * % Chambermaid Busier. More work but no more pay in 1936 is the plaint of Catherine Bristol, colored chambermaid in a downtown hotel, who lives at 23094 N street. “Chambermaids don’t get much chance for tips like bellboys and porters,” she said, “dut we sure have had more to do. My boss hired @ few more women, but my pay is just the same now that it was when I started here about a year ago.” * x k% Price No Barrier. O K. Wrap it up.” Maybe you said more than that when you bought sister’s or brother’s Christmas present. Perhaps you stop- ped and pondered over the price of the gift, and then decided something a little less expensive might do. But not so with the majority of Washington shoppers, according to the folks who are in a position to know—the shop girls. This was true not only during the Christmas season, but throughout most of the past year. Practically everybody seemed to be interested in but one thing—getting what they wanted, no matter what the cost, ac- cording to Miss Marjorie Hood, 2618 Thirteenth street, a shop clerk. Miss Hood, who has been employed in the store for three years, added she has never seen every one spending as freely as they are today. One shop girl said that, while she could supply no figures, it appeared that even the light-fingered shop- lifters were actually buying this year. = x o x Antique Market Active. The yen for luzuries and finery of proved value which develops as the wealth mounts up made 1936 a happy 366 days for a Washington dealer. Activity in the antique market, indeed, according to one who has spent his life in the business. is a good ndex that people are really rich again, with money to spend on things they have mo meed of. “We handle luzuries of an ex- pensive order—rare silver end -~ . jewelry—and it’s quite indicative of good times when we sell them steadily,” Adam F. Arnold com- mented. o ¥ Hails Longer Vacation. PAR_K POLICEMAN WILLIAM K. SNIDER got what he most wanted in 1936—more time for hunting. “A man’s no better than the recre- ation he has,” he said yesterday, “and the bill passed by Congress last March giving Federal and District employes 26 instead of only 15 days annual leave gave me more recreation—and that means hunting for me.” He was asked whether he'd rather have a raise or even more vacation in 1937. “Give me a vacation every time.” * x % ¥ Insurance Business Better. BUSINESS is on the upswing for Bruce T. Stambaugh, insurance salesman-collector. As he approached the end of 1936 his collections were 99 per cent and new business was better than it has been for the past five years, he says. Stambaugh, who comes in contact with the poorer, working class of the city, says a great majority of his 1,050 clients are getting off the relief rolls and getting jobs. “This has undoubtedly been my best year,” he declares. “With business picking up like it is, I expect 1937 to be much better.” * & x % Red Cap Is Blue. AL’I‘HOUGH reduced railroad fares caused more people to travel in 1936 than in 1935, the tips given porters are smaller, on the average, according to John H. Perry, Union Station “red cap.” Perry believes this is because more persons are making short trips by train and therefore taking less bag- gage, which the travelers themselves carry to and from the trains. Also, Perry said, with the increased number of persons traveling, especially during the rush season, additional red caps have been hired, the latter re- ducing the number of trips for the individual “red cap.” Perry feels he has done as well as can be expected when he takes in $2 in the course of a day’s work, which is eight hours. Some times he receives $2.50 or a little more during the coul of a day, but frequently less than $2. Twenty-five cents is about the usual tip, Perry said. His largest tip during the year was $2. *x ox ok Happy Over Election. "I STILL have my job, isn't that recompense enough for the days of hardship that have preceded this year?” So said Mrs. Elizabeth B. Geiger, now of Arlington, Va., in & discussion of her fortunes as a Government clerk during the past year. “Really, though,” Mrs. Geiger con- tinued, “the, greatest thing that has happened to me is the re-election of President Roosevelt. But for him and his Agricultural Adjustment Admin- istration I wouldn't have a job.” Mrs. Geiger went on to explain she is a citizen of Washington. She tried to obtain a position in the Governmers before the advent of the present ad- ministration, but she could get no further at the Civil Service Commis- sion than & statement that the Dis- trict’s quota was filled. : With the coming of the new gov- ernmental units, however, she secured employment three years ago. “The possibility that Mr. Roosevelt might not be re-elected filled me with ap- prehension. I'm happy now, though,” she said. * x x *x Bus Driver Exuberant. “JJOW’S business? Never better! ... Let me see your pass, lady « . . Pass right back in the aisle, please .. . Watch your cigarette, buddy . . . They gave us a raise last month, and more men are working than ever be- fore.” Alton B. Johnson, erstwhile under- taker from N Carolina, now living at 76 New York avenue, is driving his Capital Transit bus o Stap FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1937. FHH for that I don't know how we'd ever make the schedule. “Traffic is the worst hazard. I make five or six round trips in an eight-hour day; 14 miles per. FPigure it out. “Next year? Can’t see how things could be much better.” * % ox * ‘Turkish Baths Still Popular. Surprisingly few persons are ridding themselves of that ‘“morn- ing after” feeling in turkish bath houses nowadays, according to Wil- liam Ackerman, manager of a large downtown establishment. Business, however, even through the depression period, has carried along on an even keel. “Young and old, they come,” he said. * k¥ ¥ f Nation “Camera Crasy.” iNORMAN C. GOOD, camera sales- | man, recalled the Army-Navy foot | ball game to illustrate how his busi- ness has been booming during 1936. He described the antics of a man trying to juggle a camera and tripod in the crowded stands so as to get a picture of a play despite the mob about him. “And you'd be surprised how many persons like him there were. All through the stands people were pull- ing out a camera’ to get a shot of a play from wherever they sat.” * x * x Godfrey Legend Biasted. A marked change in his fan mail due to a stage appearance in 1936 was recalled by Arthur Godfrey, WJSV star radio performer. “I don’t know why—but people thought J was tall, dark and hand- some before that stage appearance. Then they found I was short, fat, freckle-faced and red-headed. “Now my fan mail comes chiefly from children and old maids.” * X ¥ % Singer Warbles Cheer. | DARK-EY!D. raven-tressed Helen Malcolm sees 1936 as a better | year than its predecessor in two ways. |* First—More men have asked her for | dates. “They've got more money in their pockets now and can afford to take = girl out.” Second—She's made more money, both in tips and wages, in her triple capacity as singer, pianist and some- times cigarette girl in a downtown cocktail room. * % x % Janitor Finds No Woe. In so far as Frank N. Shaw, jani- tor, is concerned the year 1936 is one in which optimism reigned supreme. “It was lots better than 1935, he declared with a broad smile. Frank said he had gotten many more tips in 1936 than he had dur- ing the year before. His largest tip was $1, he said, dut he had re- ceived several of that size. Besides his regular duties around the apartment building, Frank is general handy man for the many tenants. He washes windows, paints and cleans. Significant, perhaps, is the fact that temants get many more jobs done than they did in either 1935 or 1934. * ok % X Hunger Cripple Bitter. HOLIDAY cheer meant only bitter- ness to a hungry cripple who waited on a downtown sidewalk for the hurrying throng to remember him with a few pennies. Harcld Smith, whose legs were withered by infantile paralysis at the age of 3, is going to “thumb” a ride South as soon as he can scrape to- gether a few dollars to soften the hardships of the long journey. Smith said that in all his 28 years he never felt colder, hungrier or more unfortunate than he did this season, offering papers for sale to a throng of prosperous-looking people so intent on their own affairs they could bestow scarcely a glance on him. “Think of the money all these peo- ple are spending foolishly,” Smith said; “yeah, they're spending, but they aren’t giving. That drug store over there is selling hundreds of woolly toy dogs for about $2.50 each. “Think of that, hundreds of dollars going for woolly dogs while I sit here and freeze. I just moved down from G street. I offered papers for sale there for four hours and I took in & nickel. One old lady . ve me an ex- tra cent; for Christmas, I guess! “I've been coming through Wash- ington for years now. I always sell something 50 as not to break the law —I'm no beggar, even if I am a crip- ple. Yet the policemen—some of them, anyhow—are pretty tough. They Society and General SOUMREDEAL SEEN ON DISTAGT BILS BY RS, NORTON Head of House Committee Predicts Passage of Bene- ficial Measures. “RED RIDER” REPEAL LEADS HER FORECASTS Also Expects Congress to Give At- tention to National Repre- sentation for Capital. BY JAMES E. CHINN. Optimistically, Chairman Norton of the House District Committes pre- dicts that the Seventy-fifth Congress will give Washington “a square deal.” “I'm not a crystal gazer or a for- tune teller,” she said, “but I'm con- fident the new Congress is going to give the Nation's Capital the legisla- tion and the funds it needs to en- hance its baauty and make it a model for the Nation.” As far as the legislative angle is concerned, Mrs. Norton has many ambitious plans—plans designed to give the District many of the im- provements for which it has been fighting for years. | PAGE B—1 SCHOOLS, HEALTH AND WELFARE BIG D.C. NEEDSIN'ST King Puts Three Problems High on List to Be Dealt With, CURE OF TRAFFIC ILLS ALSO WILL BE SOUGHT | Thomas Hopes Lump Sum Question Will Get Fair Settlement From Congress. BY J. A. O’LEARY. Looking ahead to the new year, Chairman King of the Senate District Committee today placed the needs of the public school system, health de- partment and welfare institutions of Washington high on the list of local | problems to be dealt with by the in- | coming Congress. Solution of traffic problems and pro- | motions of street safety is another | important subject to which he believes those who legislate for the National | Capital should give attention during 1937, At the same time, Senator Elmer Thomas, Democrat, of Oklahoma, who presides over the District Subcom- mittee of the Senate Appropriations First, Mrs. Norton expects the new Congress to repeal the so-called “red rider” to the 1936 District appropria- tion act which will restore academic freedom to the class rooms of the public schools. Plea for District Suffrage. Second, she believes an attentive ear will be turned toward the plea for national representation for the dis- franchised residents of the District. Third, she feels that Congress will increase the Federal payment toward District expenses and definitely settle the perennial controversy over the fiscal relations problem between the Federal and District governments. PFourth, Mrs. Norton is hopeful of final solution of the 10-year-old mu- nicipal airport controversy. Fifth, she expects Congress to enact legislation humanizing juvenile court procecure, as well as legislation giving the Metropolitan Police De- partment the authority it has asked to break up the so-called “numbers racket.” last Congress will be eliminated. Work of Last Session. “Altogether, only 22 regular Dis- trict bills went through the House and Senate in the last session of the Seventy-fourth Congress, compared with 54 at the first session,” said Mrs. Norton. “By comparison, initial session did a far better job, not only in the number of bills passed, but in the quality of the legislation as well. “To the first session must go credit for passing such important measures as the financial responsibility law for motorists, a modern divorce law and the social security act. All the second session has to look back on in the way of outstanding and importsnt District legislation is the act creating | & special commission to select a site for the long-proposed municipal air- port, a bill authorizing merger of the | Washington and Georgetown Gas | Light Companies and an amendment to the traffic act giving the Commis- sioners authority to revoke the per- mits of non-resident drivers who vio- late District traffic regulations.” Mrs, Norton explained that the House was largely to blame for the comparatively poor showing of the second session. Six so-called “Dis- trict days,” she said, were lost for one reason or another. And three more were virtually wasted by a filibuster over the Ellenbogen rent control bill, wl:l:h was finally killed by a House vote, Battles Over Sisson Bill. “The Ellenbogen bill was not alone as a fight provoker,” said Mrs. Norton. “For sheer bitterness and duration, battles over the Sisson bill to repeal thle ‘red rider’ were in a class by them- Salvex* Mrs. Norton also pointed out it took three and a half months to get the 1937 District appropriation bill out of Congress and on President Roosevelt's desk because of the old controversy over the amount of the Federal obli- gation toward District expenses. As the bill finally emerged, however, it represented, she said, one of the most important in recent years, despite it fact that the amount of the Federal lump sum payment was trimmed to $5,000,000. “But coupled with that low amount,” said Mrs. Norton, “was tae guarantee of a study by an impartial commission of fiscal relations between the Federal and District governments, which may end the controversy over the Federal payment.” Mrs. Norton declared the record of the first session with respect to pro- duction and quality of District legisla- tion likewise was true with respect to the production of sensationalism. “The District Committee in the first session,” she said, “made newspaper headlines with its crime investigation and airport hearings. The second ses- sion produced only one major inquiry —the one that a special subcommittee of the District Committee made of the traffic situation.” Mrs. Roosevelt Joins New York Newspaper Guild By the Assoclated Pross. NEW YORK, January 1.—The First Lady is a member of the New York Newspaper Guild, the Guild made known today. Mrs. Roosevelt signed her ap- plication Eleanor Roosevelt, gave her occupation as columnist and her residence as the White House. She joined as a member at large. Mrs. Roosevelt writes & syndi- cated daily column, “My Day.” Mrs. Norton pointed out that under | her plan to abolish standing sub- | committees in the new Congress, Dis- | trict legislation will be expedited and | | the situation which existed during the | the | Committee, gave expression to a hope | that 1937 would be marked by a fair | settlement of the question of what | share of the cost of maintaining and | developing the Nation’s Capital should be met by the Federal Government. | On this major issue, Senator Thomas | said: | “I hope that during the new year | Congress will succeed in arriving at a satisfactory solution of the fiscal re- lations problem between the Federal and District governments. The de- sire of Congress to see the question settled was shown by its action at the last session in authorizing the President to have an indepedent study made, with a view to recommending what would be an equitable Federal share toward the annual expenses of the National Capital. Cites Power of Congress. “In seeking the answer it is essen- tial to bear in mind that Congress possesses complete legislative power | over the District and its people. For that reason the question should be settled on a basis fair to the taxe payers of the District, as well as to the Federal Government. “As to the detailed municipal needs of the city, it has been my policy as chairman of the subcommittee to be guided by the recommendations of | the Commissioners, in so far as that is possible. It cannot be done in all cases, but, in general, it has been my | feeling that they have the responsie | bility for running the city and are {in a position to weigh the relative | merits of the different appropriation | items.” A prediction that the Seventy-fifth Congress will dispose of the long- pending subject of an airport for the National Capital was included in Senator King's new vear summary of District problems. The Airport Com= mission, of which King is chairman, will report to the House and Senate soon, and. the chairman added, “I have no doubt the question will be settled.” Traffic Problem Held Acute. Turning to the subject of traffic and street safety, Senator King de~ | scribed it as “one of the acute ques- tions needing study, and possibly some additional legislation.” The Senate District Committee chairman said he has received many ilet._'grs regarding the extent to which | patking on the streets is permitted. Some of the writers, he said, have urged legislation on the subject. The | Senator also said there may be dis- cussion of limiting the number of taxicabs and requiring those obtaine ing licenses to show financial re- sponsibility. | “On this question,” the Senator added, “I express no opinion, except | to refer to it as a matter for consid- | eration.” He also indicated he has not made up his mind regarding the bill to require semi-annual inspection of motor vehicles, which passed the House and was pending in the Sen- ate committee when the last Cone gress ended. This, as well as all other measures on which action was not completed, must be reintroduced and start over again if they are to be further considered, since this is a new Congress. Interested in Schools. “I am deeply interested in the im- provement of the school system,” Senator King continued. “There must be legislation to provide the buildings and equipment that are needed and the necessary playgrounds should not be overlooked. “In my opinion, the question of Jjuvenile delinquency can be solved to & large extent by providing adequate plavgrounds and recreation centers for children.” Discussing the housing needs of other District agencies, the committee chairman mentioned proposals that have been pending in prior years for a recorder of deeds building. He also has received many requests for better quarters for the Police Department. “I also believe additional quarters are needed for prisoners at the penal institutions, and, in this connection, I think it is important to have facil- ities that will make it possible to segregate young first-offenders from other prisoners. Provision also should be made for the treatment of inebriates.” Public Health Important. Taking up the requirements of the Health Department, King said the safeguarding of public health is a Question “of paramount importance.” He said steps should be taken to pro- vide adequate clinics and to enforce health regulations, adding: “We should unhold the hands of Health Officer Ruhland with adequate appropriations.” The facilities needed by the tuber- culosis hospitals and by the District institution for feeble-minded likewise should be given consideration, King said. Senator King still believes, as he did & year ago, that there should be & new codification and revision of the laws making up ‘Iu District Code.