The Washington times., 1895-01-27
Senate Sentiment Seems TO In
cline TO the Extension Scheme.
WOULD GIVE PLENTY OF WORK
Impression Prevails that Property Owners
Generally Are in Favor Of It-Rate Of Tax
the Interest Charge-Protest Against the
Project Will Have Due Consideration.

'sThe wishes OF the people Of the District
ought TO be the determining factor as regards
the passage OF the street and sewer extension
liams, of Illinois, in reply to question on
this subject.
Mr.. Williams is a member Of the sub
committee Of the House having in charge the
District appropriation BILL
II have not examined the proposition care
fully" he continued. land have not there
fore, formed any opinion about 1t, but if 1
had should be adverse to expressing it at
this time, as the subject will have TO be de-
cided by the committee of which am a
member"
Senator Proctor's amendment, which was
favorably acted upon by the Senate District
Committee. is now in the hands OF the sub
committee on tho District appropriation bill,
composed OF Senators German, Cockrell, and
Allison.
CLOSE AS CLANS.
All three of these gentlemen are as chary of
information regarding prospective action Of
their committee as is the proverbial clam on
subjects generally Nevertheless it can be
stated that they are not averse 10 the issue OF
the II. SOC. coo of bonds, and 1t is likely that
the amendment will be reported upon Iayor-
ably TO the full committee.
Like Representative Williams they hold
that the d, sire OF the people of the. District
ought TO be the governing consideration, but
they go a step further, and say that IA the
United States will have TO bear half OF the
inter st burden OF these bonds, some regard
ought 10 be had also for the interest OF the
government and its employees. The question
OF their health aud comfort, therefore, might
be a factor. Chiefly, however, it is the resi-
dent portion of the population whose desires
the committee is anxious 10 meet.
Ii can lie further stated that the committee
does not think that this bond issue ought to
put q very heavy burden upon the taxpayers.
They take the view that inasmuch US the
present rate OF taxation puts q considerable
, surplus into the Treasury every year 10 the
credit OF tho District. very slight increase
would yield sufficient revenue TO meet the
interest charge on these bonds. They also
seem inclined TO believe that the property
owners are as rule not opposed TO the
project.
WOULD GIVE WORK TO MANY.
A not unimporlant element in this connee-
ton is the circumstance that the authoriza-
ton of the work for which these bonds are to
be Issued would cause employment to be
! given to q great many persons now living In
enforced idleness, and that an amount OF
money would lie put in circulation which
! would materially aid the small trades people.
/ As one member of the Appropriations Com
/ miitee expressed. it was good public policy
] in times OF business stagnation aud extra
ordinary distress 10 put in operation public
works. provided this can be done without
| going contrary 10 Law.
On the whole, those approached on the
subject appear TO be rather iavorably inclined
TO the proposition, though due weight viii
| be given to all remonstrances and protests
especially those Of the Federation OF LABOR
| and District Assembly, No. &C. which bodies
representing the wage earners OF the District
/ ought to be regarded good auth Ority as tc
the sentiment OF the laboring people.