PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The object of this bill is to eliminate a grade crossing which has claimed four lives within the past three years.

The crossing is located in a populous community with a constantly increasing burden of traffic.

Under the act which this bill seeks to amend, it was planned to construct a viaduct over the tracks of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co. This plan, however, would have necessitated a narrow roadway on the bridge and a right-angle turn in order to keep the bridge within the District of Columbia line.

The original project presented so many engineering difficulties that the problem was restudied, with the result that an underpass was found feasible and decidedly preferable to the plan for a viaduct.

Since the introduction of this bill, the engineering department of the District government has given further study to the project. This study indicates the desirability of constructing on a line slightly differing from that on which the department had formerly determined. To accomplish this change, and to provide for construction of a retaining wall, to prevent damage to private property on Fern Place, the bill has been amended.

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $250,000, including the item of $39,000 for the retaining wall and change of line of construction.

This legislation has been approved by the District Commissioners and by the Bureau of the Budget. Letters from these officials are appended hereto as part of the report. The committee believes this legislation is most desirable and necessary, and heartily recommends its passage, with the amendments.

Hon. ARTHUR CAPPER,

COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
Washington, May 3, 1930.

Chairman Committee on the District of Columbia,

United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR CAPPER: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia desire to submit the following on Senate bill 4223, Seventy-first Congress, second session, entitled "A bill to amend the act entitled 'An act to provide for the elimination of grade crossings of steam railroads in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes,' approved March 3, 1927," which you referred to them for consideration and report.

Since the item for the construction of a subway in the line of Fern Place under the tracks and right of way of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was submitted in the estimates for the expenses of the Government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1931, further study indicates the desirability of constructing this subway and approaches thereto on a line differing slightly from the line determined upon when the estimates were submitted to the Bureau of the Budget. To make this change, and at the same time provide for a retaining wall at Fern Place, if further study should make it desirable to exclude Fern Place from the subway connection on account of consequential damages to private property, will of necessity increase the cost of the project by $39,000.

The commissioners recommend that the following amendments be made to Senate bill 4223:

Page 1, line 9, strike out all the language beginning after the word "thereto" down to the proviso in line 5 of page 2, and insert in lieu thereof, the following: "under the tracks and right of way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in the vicinity of the intersection of Fern Place and Piney Branch Road, extended, in the District of Columbia on a line to be determined by the Commissioners of

the District of Columbia and in accordance with plans and profiles of said subway and approaches to be approved by the said commissioners."

On page 2, line 6, strike out the words "and approaches thereto" and insert, after the word "subway" in line 6, page 2, the words "and thereafter the cost of maintaining the structure within the limits of its right of way."

On page 2, line 10, strike out the words "said half cost” and insert the word "same."

On page 2, line 20, change the amount "$211,000" to "$250,000."

On page 3, lines 10, 11, and 12, strike out the words "to carry Fern Street in the District of Columbia under the tracks and right of way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company."

On page 3, line 14, after the word "said" insert "Baltimore and Ohio." Pursuant to the provisions of circulars Nos. 49 and 273 of the Bureau of the Budget, the commissioners submitted a copy of Senate bill 4223 and a copy of the proposed substitute measure embodying the amendments suggested above, to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget for information as to whether or not the proposed legislation is in conflict with the financial program of the President. In reply, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget states that the commissioners' proposed report recommending certain modifications in the bill Senate 4223, would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. A copy of the director's letter is inclosed.

Very sincerely,

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT of Columbia,
L. H. REICHELDERFER, President.

Hon. L. H. REichelderfer,

President Board of Commissioners,

District of Columbia, Washington, D. C.

DEAR MR. REICHELDERFER: I have your letter of April 25, 1930, transmitting copy of S. 4223, to amend the act of March 3, 1927, for the elimination of grade crossings of steam railroads in the District of Columbia, together with a proposed substitute measure, relating to the same subject, that the commissioners intend to transmit to Congress.

You are advised that your proposed report recommending certain modifications in the bill would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. J. CLAWSON ROOP, Director.

Very truly yours,

71ST CONGRESS 2d Session

}

SENATE

{ No. 618

REPORT

INCREASING PAY OF MAIL CARRIERS OF THE VILLAGE DELIVERY SERVICE

APRIL 30 (calendar day, MAY 6), 1930.-Ordered to be printed

Mr. PHIPPS, from the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S. 543]

The Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads having considered the bill (S. 543) to increase the pay of mail carriers of the village delivery service, report favorably thereon with two amendments and recommend that, as amended, the bill do pass.

On page 1, line 11, strike out "$1,350" and insert "$1,250". On page 2, line 1, strike out "$1,750" and insert "$1,550". Under existing law village delivery service may be established in towns and villages having post offices of the second or third class and in communities adjacent to cities having city delivery. The department's policy is to establish such service in places which do not meet the requirements of City Delivery Service but where the gross annual receipts amount to at least $5,000 per annum and the population within the improved area to be served by the village carrier exceeds 1,500 people. There are certain other requirements as to streets, sidewalks, and mail receptacles.

Obviously the duties of these carriers are strenuous and yet their present compensation is not on a par with clerks and carriers in city offices. The rate fixed by existing law is $1,150 to $1,350 per annum, while substitute carriers in such village delivery service are only paid 50 cents per hour. The committee believes that the modest increase proposed, namely, a range of pay from $1,250 to $1,550, with substitutes receiving 60 cents per hour, is fully justified.

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