Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07

CURRY further. Plans showing the general
scheme and project are Eow being prepared
ard Will be submitted"
Improving Public Buildings,
The Secretary continues:
FOR number of years the question of
improving the architecture of federal build
fnSs has received serious cohsiders ton at
the hands of those best qualified to Judge
in such matters, and this desire at last
found expression in the act of Congress.
approved February 20, 1923, which provides
IN prief, that the Secretary of the Treas
ury may in his discretion obtain designs
plans and Specifications for the public build
lngs erected Under his supervision by com
pet1tion among members of the architec-
tural profession at large
IhlS procedure being without precedent
III governmental construction il is prob-
anie th;.t further working tests of the law
may reveal defects in its administ ra tive
features; and should such continpancies
arise, Congress will be requested to mass
such remedial legisla ton as NAV he necas-
Sary. AeNes
The character and greatness of n ration
may be fairly judged by its public sIr,o-
lures, and with this conviction INV hest Of
LOTS VIII De devoted to securing the high
est expression of architectural art in the
bullolnsS which are to symbolic the great
less OF the government which erects them. ;,
District of Columbia.
Of
District of Columbia for the fiscal wear 1877
were s6,!9S, 53934 The net revenues demos.
TIED in the treasury on this account for tho
same period were S., 597, 7WS7.
Under the operations of the sinking funds
the net reduction of the bonded debt during
the year was 1857 300, and of the annual
interest charge $19SSJ
me acts of the legislative assembly OF
the District of Columbia authorizing the is
sue OF the per cent water stock bonds
provided that not less than $1,000 should be
set apart annually for their gradual re-
demption.
On July l, 1873, when the treasurer of the
united States assumed the duties of the
late sinking fund commissioners, the amount
Oh these bonds outstanding was ST.; GOO
requiring annually $29.61O for interest and
$ioooo to be set apart for a sinking fund
aggregating for both purposes s446lO. This
amount has been annually appropriated
since mat time, to be paid wholly from the
revenues OF the water department.. By the
operations of this sinking fund these bonds
nave been retired to the amount OF $4,000
leaving outstanding $}43,OO, maturing as
IolloWs S29,0OO due October l. 1901 and
sif,ooo que July l, 1903. In addition to the
water stock bonds retired, there have been
purchased with this sinking fund other
bonds of the District, amounting to $780,
400. There are sufficient funds uninvest ed
10 purchase StS,550 additional bonds of the
OLD FUNDED debt, making total of yS43 GOO
to be redeemed by the sinking fund for
those obligations. This sum equals the
amount of the water stock bonds outstand-
ing.
Inc interest accommodations on the bonds
OF the old funded debt retired with this
sinking fund are available TO pay interest
on the water stock bonds. The estimated
amount accruing during the fiscal year 1888
is $l1,3S9.oI, while the total amount re-
CURED for interest is s2i,0lO. The difference
between these sums-S6, GO. bis all that is
required to be appropriated from the water
fund for the fiscal year 1898.
Under the authority contained in the Dis
trict appropriation act approved March J,
JS97, the balance remaining on the list day
of July, 1897, of the principal of the debt
incurred for increasing the water supply
was paid in full, making the total pay
mentS on account of the principal 81 ,161, -
9O1.I6, and for interest thereon Ssh 1899
AS Congress, by the act of August IL,
1891, otherwise provided fer the redemption
of the per cent greenback bonds, to the
payment of which special taxes were pIedg-
ed, the treasurer renewS the recommended
ton, that Congress be asked to authorize
him to deliver to the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia the tax lien cerriti-
Gates now held by him as security for the
payment of those taxes, in order that they
may apply all moneys hereafter derived
therefrom to the payment of the outstand-
ing drawback certificates, as contemplated
by the act of Congress approved June -,
1875, providing for their issue.