The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-17
REJECTED BY TIE House
Conference Report on the District
Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. Payne objects to the Item Set
ting Aside 100000 for Site for
Municipal Hospital - Another
Committee Named - Adopted by
the Senate without n Division.

The conference report on the District
Appropriation bill was agreed to by the
Senate and rejected by the House yester-
day afternoon. In the latter branch of
Congress a motion that further con-
ference be asked was adopted.
The main opposition came from Mr..
Payne, and was directed against the con-
ferees' agreement to the Senate amend
ment providing for site for municipal
hospital.
The report was presented to the House
at PAS. When the reading had been con-
cluded Mr.. Payne asked for additional in
formation concerning the proposition to
appropriate not exceeding 500, 900 for the
purchase of a site containing ten acres for
the erection of municipal hospital
Mr.. Grout, one of the conferees, eX-
planned that the hospital accommodations
in Washington are inadequate. He knew
of no other city as large as Washington
without a city hospital.
Mr.. Payne said he understood that the
land which it was practically agreed 10 buy
was near the Soldiers Home. He thought
that $4,000 an acre would be too much
for land in that locality. He said that
money was appropriated annually for
Freedman's Hospital, Columbia, Washing
ton Hospital for Foundlings, the Eastern
DispeLsary, the Central Dispensary, Emer-
gency Hospital, Children's Hospital, Ma
tional Homeopathic Hospital, Garfield and
Providence Hospitals, Home for Incur
ables, the smallpox hospital. and the
Washington Asylum Hospital He thought
there was no need for city hospital, and
that it would be a waste of the peoples
money TO provide for one under the present
circumstances.
Mr.. Grout, in reply, pointed out that
most Of the hospitals named are private
institutions. He thought 1t was disgrace
that Washington, the capital Of the Union,
did not have an adequate and modern
municipal hospital. He said Washington
had grown to be large city, and it was
not the most healthful one.
In answer to questions as to why the
conferees acceded to the large increase
in the District bill. Mr.. Grout said that
1t was mainly due to the items for a FL
tration plant, the site for city hospital,
and the new Rock Creek Bridge. to which
Mr.. Grout said Congress was committed.
Mr.. Glynn of New York criticised what he
termed Partially 10 the treatment under
the bill of certain sectarian institutions.
Mr.. Payne resumed the floor in oppose
ton to the proposed appropriation for the
city hospital. he considered IL peter TO
give money to private hospitals and TO let
them put up buildings for the accommoda-
ton of the city's INDECENT sick.
Mr.. Allen OF Mississippi said the ques-
ton was simply this: viii the District
q Columbia build a hospital of its own
or will 1t put up hospital buildings on
other peoples land" He criticised Mr..
Payne's attitude. IF he were an habitual
economist / could tolerate him. but he
Just jumps in here TO bid for little popu-
lar applause by talking about protecting
the Treasury"
The report was disagreed to on divis-
ion by vote of 6s to "A. Mr.. Grout asked
for a further conference.
Mr.. Underwood demanded a separate vote
on Senate amendments 173 and 1s4, but
withdrew his motion.
Mr. Allen of Mississippi moved that the
House recede from its opposition to Senate
amendments 173 and ia, appropriating
1880 to st. Johns Orphanage and 81, 500
to St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum. The mo-
ton was lost by a vote Of Sc to 4S.
Mr. CIRCUITS motion that a further con-
ence be asked for prevailed, and the
Speaker named Messrs. Grout. Bingham,
and Allen of Mississippi as the conferees.
The Senate adopted the conference report
without division. 1t had been agreed that
a vote should be taken at 2 O'Clock p. M.
and, after Mr. Mason had obtained leave
to insert some remarks on the District OF
Columbia public schools in the Record
Mr.. Allison asked for vote and the report
was adopted.