Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-16
THE DISTRICT INTERROGATION.
Information Called for by the Joint
COMMITTEES

AS heretofore stated in The STAR, the Con
gressionsl joint committee 10 investigate the
affairs of the District adopted the report of the
sub committee previously appointed to arrange
plan of procedure, which report provided that
before witnesses were summoned a communica-
ton should be sent to Gov. Shepherd. calling
for certain specific Information in regard to the
affairs OF the District government. That COM
muncatiOn WAS sent, and an imperfect copy
of IT has been published, we lay before our read
ers to-day correct list of the questions to be
answered at the earliest possible moment:
INDEBTEDNESS.
/. What was the Indebtedness of Washington
when the present government went into exist
ence, TO wit Feb. n, 1SI l, and how was il evil
deDced-? If any part of it was in bonds when
were they issued, for how long time had thew
TO run, what interest did theybear, and what
W as their aggregate amount?
,. How much of said Indebtedness has been
paid, when was 1t paid, and out of what rev.
eDues or funds? And il any acts of the District
Legislature have been passed in relation thereto
give reference TO the same.
B. Answer the same inquiries in relation TO
Georgetown.
4. Answer the same in relation TO that portion
of the District not included in Washington and
Georgetown.
8. What is the present Indebtedness OF Wash
ington, and how evidenced?
6. Answer the same question as to George
town.
Z. Answer the same question as to that part of
the Territory not included in Washington and
Georgetown.
8. What is the present Indebtedness of the Dis
trict excluding the above, l. G., the indebtedness
Of the District government, and
(d). How is the same evidenced2
(b). Describe the bonds or different series of
bonds, giving their dates, amounts, time to run,
and rate of interest.
(c). What price was obtained for said bonds
when sold, negotiated, or paid to contr actors,
or other creditors of the District government.
Ia. Are any OF such bonds yet in the possess
sion Of the District government, and if so de-
scribe them, and give the aggregate amount
thereof.
(e). Furnish a balance sheet showing the liza
biities of the District and the assets which are
considered by you as available for meeting the
Indebtedness of the District.
VALUATIONS.
l. What was the assessed value of property in
the District made next before February q, ISL l;
when and how was so much valuation made;
what kinds OF property did it exclude, and how
was it evidenced?
2. What valuations have since been made
and under what acts of the legislature or other
authority; what kinds of property were includ-
ed in them; what was their aggregate amount;
when were they made, and how are they evil
denced?
TAXATION AND ASSESSMENTS.
l. Refer TO all acts or orders of the District
government or any department thereof, levying
taxes or making assessment.
2, What have been the receipts OF the District
ovtrnment, from all sources, Stating the re-
ceiPts from each source separately since the
organization of said government?
5. What have been its disbursements, and for
what purposes, stating the disbursements for
the several purposes separately, during the
same period?
IMPROVEMENTS.
]. What contracts have been made by the
District government or any department there
of? Give list of all such contracts, their dates,
the names of the contractors, the nature OF the
work TO be done, the prices to be paid therefor.
When and in what medium or funds to be paid
and tie aggregate cost under each contract, il
completed, and how much has been paid upon
each contract not yet completed, and how much
remains to be paid thereon.
2. Furnish said contracts to this committee.
which will be returned at the close of the inves-
tgatlOn, or sooner, if possible.
3. Furnish this committee with all estimates
and measurements of such work, which will be
returned as aforesaid.
4. What amount has the District government
received from the United States for improve
ments affecting the property of the latter 4?
When received? And state separ ately in respect
TO what property and the nature of the i'm
provement, the estimates therefor and measure
ment thereof
8. What amount, If any, does the District
government estimate ought yet to be paid by
the United States for improvements made by
the former.
OFFICERS, CONTRACTORS AND EMPLOYEES.
/. Is the District government indebted TO any
OF its officers, contractors employees, for work
or services performed or materials furnished
ard if so, how long has it been so indebted, and
or what reasons? State each class separately
2. Furnish any other information, explana-
tons, or suggestions that may seem TO you
important.