Evening Star Newspaper, May 16, 1937, Page 10

THE SUNDAY Public Aroused on Nuisance Plants Officials and Citizens Join in Demand for King Bill Passage to Put “Teeth” in Zoning Regulations. CRYSTALLIZED public senti- ment in favor of freeing the City of Washington for all time from the threatened en- croachment of undesirablé and ob- noxious industries revealed itself in outspoken terms during the four days of hearings before the Senate District Subcommittee last week on the King- Norton anti-nuisance bill. From public officials engaged in carrying forward the desired develop- ment of the Federal City and from citizen witnesses, The Star yesterday obtained expressions in common indi- cation that their prime motive in supporting the pending legislation is to have local zoning keep pace with the trend of civic progress. Reviewing testimony and charges made by slaughter house representatives at the hearing, the common idea prevailed that the King bill, instead of being aimed at a single industry, sought control of all those of the nuisance type by replacing discretionary zoning regulation with legislative prohibi- tions. Various witnesses and others closely igterested in the move to put “teeth” in recently overhauled zoning regula- tions were in accord in agreeing that the bui'ding permit obtained by the Gobel Co. for a slaughter house in the vicinity of park developments along the Anacostia River merely hap- pened to be the example that focused public attention on the need for pro- tective legislation. Views of Elwood H. Seal. Corporation Counsel Elwood H. Seal, who frequently refuted the charge that the Benning slaughtering plant was the sole and particular aim of ?e legislation, yesterday gave his ews on the subject in more detail. He said: ¢ “Since the introduction of the King bill, which would have the effect of banning from the District business and industries described as ‘undesirable industries’ the charge frequently has been made that the bill is directed only against the Adolf Gobel Co., Inc. § ‘While the effect of the bill, if en- acted into law. would prohibit the erection of an abattoir by the Gobel Co., the bill is aimed at any or all industries described as un- desirable; that is, those industries which may be de- scribed as potential nuisances, or whose operations may create a nui- sance, or those of a type not suitable to the National Capital. “Attention is invited to the fact that on November 13, 1936, the Zon- ing Commission, in an effort to pro- hibit a long list of ‘undesirable in- dustries,’ passed a regulation which would exclude abattoirs and many other types of business from the first commercial districts. Under the regu- lations as they now exist, no new building may be erected for the pur- poses denominated as undesirable. “The King bill, if enacted into law, would prohibit these ‘undesirable in- dustries’; would take away from the Zoning Commission the question of discretion, and would insure that the City of Washington would be free for- ever from encroachments such as are now threatened. In effect the King bill would write such prohibitions into law rather than leave them merely a matter of regulation.” Capper for King Bill, Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas, ranking Republican member of the | District Committee and its' former chairman, when asked for comment on | the King bill, with which he is thor- oughly familiar, replied: “I'm strongly for it.” { Referring to the proposed slaughter hqpse project at Benning, Capper added: “I don't think we want any- thing like that in this city. It may be something should be done to com- pensate the firm —J have not looked into that. But, at any rate, T believe it would be a great mis- take to have such industries here.” In the 16 years or more Capper has served on the District Commit- tee of the Senate he has taken & prominent part in legislation for improvement and orderly development of the National Caplal. Charles F. Consual, vice chairman of the Committee of One Hundred on the Federal City, a witness at the hear- ings, had this to say: “Legislation establishing the Na- tional Capital Park Commission was first suggested by our committee. That commission, expanded into the Na- tional Capital Park and Planning Com- mission deserves the thanks of all concerned in the development and protection of the Capital City. “Enactment of the bills introduced by Senator King and by Representa- tive Norton, designed to prohibit op- eration of heavy industrial commer- cial enterprises, and especially those of the nuisance kind, will be a great and important step, and we earnestly bespeak for these bills the affirmative support of all forward-looking citizens and organizations who feel that our future should be reasonably controlled Elwood Seal Senator Capper. GRIP-TITE PLATES This Is the Great- est Dental Discovery of the Age Exclusively in Washingtgn with DR. FREIOT . . D.S. Patent 1,947,907 Triple Suction Patent Plates $10 - %15 - %20 The NEW Analgesia Process! Every modern pain- preventative meth- ods. including the Analgesia process used, to insure com- fort. Special atten- tion given nervous rsons. Terms may e arranged. HOURS: DAILY. 9 AM. TO 6 P.M. SUNDAY. 10 A . M. TO 1 M, 407 7th St. N.W. NAt. 0019 to prevent intrusion of such purely commercial projects as are o the un- desirable varieties. “The particular project of the Gobel Co. merely happened to be the ex- ample which showed necessity for such protective legislation. Should this company succeed in thrusting its undesired activity upon this city, it may possibly learn that it cannot compel residents of Washington to buy its products. The operation of the slogan ‘We do not patronize’ has sometimes proved anything but help- ful to a business against which it is directed.” Other Cities’ Laws Cited. Miss Harlean James, executive sec- retary of the American Planning and Civic Association, long-time leader in movements to improve local condi- tions, said: “Washington should be developed as a Capital City, protected from heavy industries. Modern zoning laws | generally ban heavy industries from light indus- trial zones, and many cities, such as Baltimore, Md., 3 and Birmingham, Ala., which are recognized indus- : trial cities, now ban certain heavy or nuisance in- dustries from the entire city. In Baltimore it . would be impos- sible now to build a slaughter house within its limits. A number of other cities which have felt the need of revamping antiquated zoning regula- tions are beginning to ban such in- Miss Harlean James. | dustries. “The King bill would definitely keep out of Washington new enumerated heavy industries and would put the Zoning Commission and the health officer in a position to see that the relatively few existing heavy or dis- agreeable industries really operate without undue nuisance. Washington should have had this protection be- fore; the best that we can do now is to act promptly. The Gobel Co. brought the situation into the open but the bill aims at many other forms of industry also.” Trend Seen by Gray. Howard A. Gray, director of hous- ing, Public Works Administration, | made this statement: “The slaughter house controversy has illustrated plainly the consistent trend in Washington to move such industries away from the city. “During the Civil War stockyards and slaughtering houses were located Just south of the Washington Monu- ment site. Later the stockyards were pushed out beyond the Anacostia River to their present location. Here they ‘were removed from proximity to resi- dential and public property. Like- wise, small slaughter houses, located in’ various places throughout the city were eliminated. “Now the city has expanded. It has caught up with these industries which at one time were placed bevond contact. It s time again, in the orderly develop- ment of the city, that they move. “Slaughter houses, stock- yards and other nuisance indus- tries have no place within the Capital of the United States, a city noted for its beauty and resi- dential character. If other concerns had expressed re- fusal to move as the city developed, Howard A, Gray ! we would not now have the beautiful community which has evolved out of the former flats and swamps. Rail- roads today would be operating on the Mall and the Union Station would not be where it is. “But other industries, without self- ish motives, co-operated and, with the interest of their country and Capital at heart, made the present city pos- sible.” Old Matters Brought to Head. From Charles A. Barker of the Southeast Council of Citizens' Asso- ciations; composed of 10 groups, came the assertion that the proposed Ben- ning project served merely to “bring matters of long standing to a head.” “The Southeast Council is pri- marily opposed to this project as it would be in the midst of our 10 groups,” he said. “But we are equally opposed to any obnoxious industry being permitted to establish in Washe ington. The railroad tracks and the Union Stockyards at Benning were the original cause of the area being zoned for industrial purposes. Now the city has grown up around it and beautiful park areas are being devel- oped nearby.” C. Marshall Finnan, superintendent =2nGE HOY R Dogfisriumx L Famous for Delicious Food Sunday Dinners from $1.00 “NO TIPPING” is our Rule! . The “Buy Word” for Paint Keep that word "MURCO" in mind when you paint. It will save you money and regrets...when you are tempted to make a so-called saving on an in- ferior product. MURCO is 100% Pure, extza durable ... always beautiful. Store Hours: Monday thru Friday, 7 am. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. t0 1 pm. E. J. Murphy Co,, Inc. 710 12th 8t. N. W. NA#1L 2473 of the National Capitgl Parks, had this to say: “I am thoroughly convinced that Senator King's bill, 8. 2286, it enacted into law, will be one of the most com- prehensive steps taken in recent years looking forward to the proper develop- ment of the National Capital. While broad in scope, it is not drastic. It i i does not prohibit the continuance of any industry now in actual operation in the District, but it will prohibit the introductfon ot certain undesir- able industrial operations in a city which is not only the Capital of the United States, but which at the present tme has a large population per square C. Marshall Finnan | mile and this population is showing a substantial increase each year. “The bill is adequate to cover an existing situation, which under pre- | vailing laws and regulations is bad, and it also provides for the future. Because of this second and more im- portant feature of the bill, it has been misunderstood and misinter- preted by some. It is not intended to restrict or eliminate any one par- ticular industry, but covers a broad fleld of nuisance industrial operations. “We should all remember that not long ago cattle were pastured within the shadow of the Capitol and only a comparatively few years back a rail- | way station was located in the Mall. We can now see in these areas the benefits of intelligent legislation and comprehensive planning, even though at the time the changes and improve- ments were made, the voice of the mi- nority was loud in opposition. It is my firm conviction that the same principles, intelligent legislation and planning are incorporated in the King bill and the effects of such legislation | will have a beneficial influence on this | city for many years to come.” Nolen Cites Pittsburgh. John Nolen, jg, director of planning | of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, observed. “The commission has been particularly in- terested in how this character of in- dustry has been considered by most cities—even the large industrial ones. They feel that this business is not | suitable within a modern city. “As an example, I cite Pittsburgh, which absolutely bars abattoirs with- | in the city limits. Baltimore, Md, bars them, except by special ordinance | of council, follow- * oy ing a public hear- ing and legisla- tive action. These industries do not have a right to become establish- ed — it is a privi- § lege. Chicago very definitely limite certain processes con- nected with abat- toirs and stock yards and speci- files that they must be located certain distances from residences—and even from other industries. “This serves to throw into perspective our situation here. Prior to November, 1936, there was no con- | trol over. abattoirs, but then the zoning regulations were revised to conform to the progress being made in other cities. There are some 30 nuisance-type or objectionable in- dustries that are now required to se- cure special permits before becoming established. The new zoning regu- lations of last November are not ap- plicable to the Gobel case, because that firm’s application was submitted prior to that. | “Sin 1920, when the zoning sys- | tem here was set up, we have Iearnedi & great deal about abattoirs and | about zoning. Chicago took its action | in 1924, Pittsburgh in 1927 and | Baltimore in 1931. The King bill | covers the hiatus in control, not | covered by ordinance regarding exist- | ing industries. “In as much as this city was dedi- cated, under the Cgnstitution, as the seat of the Federal Government, Congress has much more control over it to guide its destines than has a city over its own ordinances.” Fine Arts Board's Stand. H. P. Caemmerer, executive secre- Jobn Nolen, Jr. Beautiful Prize Winning Hardy Exhibition I pLaNTSS 140 Bloom this year, 5 to 7 inches wide. Wonderful 2-yr. plants. Yellow. Red, White. P l’!;o.!e. Br?’nu_ Lavender. 10 Cluster “Mums” __ $1.40 Hardy Flowering Perennials 'Iz ROCK GARDEN PLANTS, s] ‘0 All_ different - B ‘2 BORDER PLANTS. All different "2 Plants for CUT Flowers. All_ different e 25 (A’I’IICAN DAISY. 25 s CAMPANULA ™ Canterbur: 20 Bells, mixe PETUNIA Resy Mon Balcony EN( SH SALVIA 5 Everything Postpaid. Order Today. Send for Illustrated Catalog, FREE. New Market Perennial Gardens Randolph Read. New Market, N. J.am | ernment nad plans for it demonstrate | acquired | viewed, made this complaint: STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, tary of the National Commission of Fine Arts, said: “The National Commission of Fine Arts has long ago decided that no abattoir or slaughter house should be allowed in the Greater Washingon area. This being the National Capi- tal, it is all the more reason for not allowing such establishments within the confines of the city and its suburbs. “Several years ago, during the con- struction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, an attempt was made to erect & slaughter house near Arlington Na- tional Cemetery, whereupon leading members of Congress threatened to stop appropriations for the bridge, if such a scheme was carried out. It was not. “It has been shown conclusively from the experience of other cities that a slaughter house should be kept away from a city proper in order to protect the health of the people and preserve the city from such an obnox- ious feature. * “The proposed slaughter house in the Anacostia Park area will place ‘it Within two or three miles of the United States Capitol bullding itself. The Annacostia Park area has been de- ernment and plans for it demonatrate that it will be one of the largest and | most beautiful parks in Washington in years to come. Then, too, adjacent to it, immediately to the north, will be the National Arboretum, established by Congress, where plant life will be studied and where it will become a great institution on the eastern side of Washington, just as the National Zoological Park is a great institution for the study of animal life on the west side of Washington and where as many as 60,000 people visit that park on certain days. “Furthermore, the slaughter house in Anatostia would be within a mile of the Eastern High School, the Dis- trict Jail and Gallinger Hospital. The residents themselves should be protected from an establishment of this character.” 5 Sulllvan Holds Bill Essential. From Francis P. Sullivan of the American Institute of Architects and vice president of the Calhedral Heights Citizens' Assoclation came & declaration that the King bill was essential for the proper regulation of nuisance industries. He also was a witness at the hearing on Thursday. “The proposed Gobel plant served to call public attention to the lack of a law in Washington properly con- trolling such in- dustries,” he said § yesterday. “It is needed here and should be passed. “On a recent visit to Charles- ton, S. C., I came across a situation which was righted by the decent impulset and public spiril of the Standard § Oil Co. It nad a filling station in the yard of the old Mani- gault house, one of the fine old homes with gardens which the compeny had for commercial purposes. The Standard Oil Co. realized a filling | station there offended public taste and willingly abandoned it and turned the property over to the cit: Complaint of Nearby Resident. Fred B. Monar, a Ridge road resi- dent in the vicinity of the proposed | slaughter house site, when inter- Francis P. Sullivan “'Our section is just now beginning to realize on improvements, and, once the former slaughter house ceased op- erations at Benning, residential prop- erty has increased in value and more nice homes are being built. A new | slaughter house there would end all | this. It would be just too bad for the people forced to live within range of it. Such industries should be moved outside the District.” Mrs. Margaret Hopkins Worrell, an- other witness who appeared for the Columbia Heights Citizens’ Associa- tion, was a willing commentator. “If they had asked me at the hearing if I desired passage of the King bill PAINT SALE Interior Flat Finish____$1.35 Gel. Lead Paste Paint—one gallon makes two gallons finest paint, $1.95 Gal. Pure Oil Roof Paint____$1.65 Gal. Waterproof Varnish_ Interior White Enamel__$1.95 Gal. Black Roof Paint_.5 Gallons $).35 House Paint, all colors__$1.55 Gal. Floor Enamel, all colors, $2.10 Gal. Briggs Paint Store MAY 16, solely because it might prevent butld- ing of the slaughter house in Ben- ning, I would certainly have sald ‘no.’ Washington has outgrown itselt and there is no longer a proper place in the city for heavy industries. Only small service industries, but not slaughter houses or others equally objectionable. “The Gobel matter was brought to the attention of our association last November and it immediately took a vigorous stand against it and other nuisance industries. Now the people are simply up in arms against such encroachments. “In 1900, when I first came to ‘Washington, Park road was the ter- minal of the Fourteenth street car line. The Benning district also was far outside the city. But now Wash- ington has grown up all around these places. The city is developing to the east, and that section should be pro- tected. There is a need for more effective zoning regulations, and the King bill, which aims at all nuisance industries, would serve that purpose. That's why I am for it.” ‘W. W. Hill, president of the Federa- tion of Civic Associations, comprising colored groups, another witness be- fore the committee, represented the sentiments of many colored citizens who wish to have a properly developed city. “I don't want to see slaughter houses or any other industries like that in the city,” he said. “This bill will help keep them out.” INTERNATIONAL CLUB HOLDS ANNUAL FETE Misses Enya Gonzales, Gloria Cone and Kathleen Davis Fea- tured on Program. More than 200 guests, including Trepresentatives of nearly a score of nationalities, attended the annual banquet and dance of the Washing- ton International Club last night at the Mayflower Hotel. A musical program featured Miss Enya Gonzalez, graduate of the Manila Conservatory of Music (Philip- pine Islands) and at present with a New York broadcasting company, and Miss Gloria Cone and Miss Kath- leen Davis, both dancing pupils of Alice Louise Hunter. Among the honor guests were Mrs. Bancroft Davis, Representative Caro- line O’'Day of New York, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent D. Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Morley, Mrs. Charles D. Wal- | cott, Dr. and Mrs. Ernst Correll, Con- rado Benetiz, dean of the University | of the Philippines at Manila; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Picket of Philadelphia, Mrs. Grace Lowry, director of the | International Student House, and Miss Margaret Jones, secretary of the Friends Service Committee of Wash- | ington, New officers installed at the busi- ness session following the banquet include Miss Monica Kelly, president; Manuel Argel, vice president; Lin Lin, treasurer; Miss Helen Nolan, cor- responding secretary, and S. Sampath, recording secretary. OFFICIAL NEAR DEATH MONTGOMERY, Ala., May 15 (#). —Lieut. Gov. Thomas E. Knight, jr, critically ill of a complicated kidney and liver ailment, “lost strength dur- | ing the day and we haven’t much hope left,” a hospital attache reported to- night. & T Knight, State's special prosecutor in the “Scottsboro case” and former attorney general, developed the illness two weeks ago. ESTABLISHED Chichering GRAND No piano like it for glorious tone and lasting beauty. 1107 9th St. N.W. MEt. 2338 Give-Dap Your PicTure taken by our expert photographer S IJfgs 11x14 Size ASK ABOUT OUR FAT Business woulda’t be much fun for Dad if it weren't for you . .. and that special twinkle your éyes have when you're happy is Dad’s best reward. Give him a grand, life-like pic- ture of you taken in our studio that exactly catches the expression he so loves to see. HER'S DAY SPECIALS Third Fleor. 1937—PART ONE. Telegraphers Who Aided Taft Open Exposition Finally Meet Arlo Vopni (left) and E. W. Smithers as they ezamined the gold-studded telegraph key gt Smithers’ home, —Star Staff Photo. EARLY 28 years ago, s gold telegraphic key was touched by President Taft in the east room of the White House to set the wheels of the Alaska-Yukon Exposition at Seattle in motion. E. W. (Doc) Smithers, chief telegra- pher at the White House, sat at the President’s side to take over the in- strument and dot-dash the subse- quent message. At the same time, Arlo Vopni, young Seattle operator, carefully “took” the message at the scene of the expo- sition. Yesterday that nugget-studded key was responsible for the twoe operators meeting for the first time. Here's how it happened: On a trip East with his wife, Vopni, now connected with .a railway com- is an povortunity " Price the lowest a " Washington: Wm. L. Rogers’ Own 53-pc. SERVICE for 8 Regularly $31.50 SPECIAL $1 995 To ewn plete _silver time. ing value. this means to own a com- that will last s life- Act af and get this amaz- pany in Seattle, stopped here several days ago to visit Representative Karl Stefan of Nebraska, who also was employed in the Seattle telegraph of- fice at the time of the exposition. While chatting with the Congress- {man in his office, Vopni mentioned that he would like to see the key from which President Taft's message was sent to him in 1909. Stefan's secretary located the in- | strument and yesterday Vopni saw the | key at Smithers’ home, 3743 McKin- ley street. the front porch glider with the still shining key on its marble base be- tween them and talked of that day, 28 years ago, when they worked “to- gether” over 3,000 miles apart. As they posed for a photographer, The two former operators sat on | Vopni gingerly clicked the key and smiled at Smithers. The White House telegrapher, who was holding the mar- ble and gold piece at the time, shifted it in his hand before the camera snapped and remarked: “I guess I'd better hold it right.” For Vopni, June 1, 1909, was a great day. For Smithers it was not 50 great, perhaps, for arranging prese idential ceremenies was nothing new, But, yesterday was admittedly a great day for both of them. SOUTHERN SOCIETY TO GIVE BANQUET Reception and Dance Also Will Be Held to Honor Gov. and Mrs. Earle. The Southern Society of Washing- ton will give a banquet, reception and dance at the Willard Hotel Wedanes- day night, June 2, in honor of Gov, | and Mrs. George H. Earle of Pennsy- * vania. ‘The Governor will address the s0- | clety on “The South and Our National Problems.” He will be introduced by Senator Reynolds of North Carolina. The speech will be broadcast over Ithe National Broadcasting System. Robert H. McNeill, Washington #t- i torney, president of the society; M:s. McNeill and Gov. and Mrs. Earle will head the receiving line. Governors and congressional dele- gations of the 16 Southern Sta‘'sz comprising the membership of the society have been invited to atter The Pennsylvania delegation also has | been invited. Presidents of Southern State soci- eties here are co-operating in arrange- | ments for the event and will assist in receiving the guests. Detective's Suit Stolen. BUFFALO, N. Y. (#) —Thieves took Detective George H. Smith’s suit in the loot they carried from a taiior shop. Smith said he figured finding it would be as%roublesome as finding a needle in a haystack. That's exactly | where Smith found the suit—in a haystack, far out in the country. “It was pressed, but it wasn't very clean, and field mice had chewed it up so it was valueless except as evidence,” he moaned. We left no stone unturned to round up the finest mer- chandise from all over the world. The finest makers in America made thrilling concessions. 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