COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Hon. ARTHUR Capper, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. SIR: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to recommend favorable action on Senate bill 4038, Seventy-second Congress, first session, entitled "A bill to amend section 1 of an act entitled 'An act to provide home care for dependent children in the District of Columbia' approved June 22, 1926, which you referred to them for report as to the merits of the bill and the propriety of its passage. This bill was introduced by you at the request of the commissioners, and the necessity for its passage is indicated in the letter of March 7, in which the draft of the bill was forwarded to you. Very truly yours, L. H. ReicheLDERFER, President Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia. Hon. ARTHUR Capper, COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Chairman Committee on the District of Columbia, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. SIR: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to transmit herewith draft of a bill entitled "A bill to amend section 1 of an act entitled 'An act to provide home care for dependent children in the District of Columbia,' approved June 22, 1926," with request for its introduction and early enactment. The act of June 22, 1926, entitled "An act to provide home care for dependent children in the District of Columbia" makes possible under certain stipulated conditions and by certain prescribed procedure, grants to mothers for the maintenance of their children under 16 years of age in their own homes. Section 1 of this act contains, as one of the conditions each applicant for assistance must meet, the words "Provided, That such applicant has been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for one year preceding such application." It has become increasingly apparent to the Board of Public Welfare that because of the comparatively short period of residence required by the act, persons who are eligible to this assistance, except in the matter of residence, are coming to the District of Columbia, establishing their residence of one year and immediately thereafter making their application. It is felt that this practice would be deterred by an increase in the period of time an applicant must reside in the District of Columbia before becoming eligible to home-care aid. The Board of Public Welfare therefore recommends that the law be amended as proposed in this draft, and the commissioners concur in this recommendation. Very truly yours, L. H. REICHELDERFER, President Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia. SENATE 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } { REPORT No. 501 EXTENSION AND WIDENING OF MICHIGAN AVENUE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APRIL 4, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. KEAN, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 4039] The Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (S. 4039) to provide for the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass. The purpose of the bill is to eliminate the present hazardous driveway around McMillan Park Reservoir, adjacent to the grounds of the United States Soldiers' Home. In connection with this project, it is also intended to improve conditions at the intersection of First Street and Michigan Avenue NW., where a number of accidents have occurred. Through an exchange of land between the Soldiers' Home and McMillan Park, it will be possible to provide for a new street 64 feet wide with a 40-foot roadway and space for sidewalks and shade trees. The proposed road would take a northwesterly direction through the boundaries of the Soldiers' Home grounds adjoining McMillan Park. The commissioners are anxious that the bill be enacted so that an item for the paving of the new street may be included in the estimates for the fiscal year 1934. The cost of the work is estimated at present at $50,000. The elimination of the dangerous driveway around the park has been advocated by citizens' organizations of the District for many years. The proposed legislation has the approval of the District Commissioners, the Bureau of the Budget, the Secretary of War, the Board of Commissioners of the United States Soldiers' Home, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the United States Engineer Office, the Northeast Citizens' Association, and the North Capitol Citizens' Association. There is appended hereto, as part of this report, the communications of the District Commissioners and the Park and Planning Commission regarding the bill. WASHINGTON, April 1, 1932. Hon. ARTHUR CAPPER, Chairman Committee on the District of Columbia, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR CAPPER: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to recommend the enactment of S. 4039, Seventy-second Congress, first session, entitled "A bill to provide for the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, which you referred to them for their consideration and report. The commissioners desire to invite you attention to their letter of March 8, 1932, to which was attached the draft of this bill which you introduced. This letter explains in full the reasons which actuated the commissioners in requesting the introduction of this bill. Very sincerely yours, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, L. H. REICHELDERFER, President. WASHINGTON, March 8, 1932. Hon. ARTHUR CAPPER, Chairman Committee on the District of Columbia, MY DEAR SENATOR CAPPER: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia inclose herewith the draft of a bill to provide for the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue NW., between First Street and Park Place, which they request be introduced during the present session of Congresss. The object of the bill is to authorize the necessary transfer of land between the public agencies affected to enable the District of Columbia to extend and widen Michigan Avenue NW., between First Street at the south gate of the Soldiers' Home grounds and Park Place, so as to correct an existing condition, which is hazardous to traffic, and to provide an adequate and safe direct connection for east and west traffic across this section of the District. The proposed measure is somewhat similar to the act passed several years ago which authorized the straightening of Michigan Avenue east of North Capitol Street, in that it provides for a transfer of land between agencies over which the District government has no jurisdiction The present roadway around the McMillan Park Reservoir is narrow and tortuous. A number of accidents have occurred at First Street and Michigan Avenue because of the present unsatisfactory intersection. Since the opening of Monroe Street, connecting Michigan Avenue with Rhode Island Avenue, traffic around the reservoir has greatly increased. There is no direct connection across this part of the District except via the winding roads in the Soldiers' Home Grounds and McMillan Park. It is proposed to provide for a new street 64 feet wide, to embrace a 40-foot roadway, with 12 feet for sidewalk and tree space on each side. At the west end, a large intersection will be created so as to better handle traffic demands by forming a direct connection with Columbia Road and by widening Hobart Place. The attached blue print will show the areas to be transferred by the agencies concerned. The approximate areas to be transferred are as follows: Area to be relinquished by the United States Soldiers' Home (B and C), 3.50 acres. Area to be acquired by the United States Soldiers' Home (D), 0.39 acre. Area to be acquired by McMillan Park (C), 1.25 acres. Area to be transferred to the District of Columbia for street purposes, 5.27 acres. The proposed legislation has the approval of the Secretary of War and the board of commissioners of the United States Soldiers' Home; the United States Engineer Office, of which Maj. J. D. Arthur, jr., is District engineer, and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The commissioners are informed by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget that the proposed measure is not in conflict with the financial program of the President. Copy of letter from the Bureau of the Budget is inclosed herewith for your information. The commissioners are especially anxious that this bill become a law so that an item for the paving of the street on the new line may be included in the estimates for the fiscal year 1934. From information available at this time, the estimated cost of paving Michigan Avenue, between the limits named, with a 7-inch reinforced concrete roadway and cement curb, is $50,000. Very sincerely yours, Hon. LUTHER H. REICHELDERFER, BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, President Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, Washington, D. C. DEAR DOCTOR REICHELDERFER: I have your letter of February 23, 1932, transmitting draft of bill to provide for the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue NW., between First Street and Park Place. You are advised that in so far as the financial program of the President is concerned, there is no objection to this proposed legislation. Very truly yours, J. CLAWSON ROOP, Director. NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION, Hon. ARTHUR Capper, MY DEAR SENATOR CAPPER: The National Capital Park and Planning Commission had before it for its consideration Senate bill 4039, to provide for the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue in the District of Columbia. The commission instructed me to inform you that the commission strongly approves this bill. It has advocated the extension and widening of Michigan Avenue during the last two or three years. All the parties that will be affected by this bill are in full accord and desirous in making the exchanges of land provided for in the bill. It is in conformity with the street and highway plans approved by this commission and will be a most important addition to the street and highway system of the District of Columbia. Owing to its urgent need, we hope for speedy passage of this bill. However, I am not informed as to whether it is at the present time in accordance with the financial policy of the President. Respectfully yours, U. S. GRANT 3D, Executive and Disbursing Officer. |