Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
REASONS OF STRENGTH
Why Congress Should Pass
Federal Loan Bill.
FELT FOR A CENTURY
WILL BE BENEFICIAL RESULTS
ACCRUING THEREFROM.
Leading Citizens Of the District Ten
Why They Support the
Measure.


Measure.
There Is no abatement Of interest on the
part of public-spirited citizens generahy Ia
the proposed $40, 600 federal loan, the
hill provfdine for which Is pending In Con
gress.
Mr.. r. Ross Perry Of the local bar today
said:
$50 much has been so well said about the
nroposed $40 OOO, 600 loan by Congress TO the
District of Columbia that I hesitate to add
ANYTHING. The inherent injustice of chars-
ing solely against the taxpayers OF <ooay
great permanent Improvements, the D7hehts
of which will be felt for century. Is TOO
apparent for discussion. It Is also raise
from an economic point of view. Again. II
we consider 1t in a practical way these ex-
traordinary demands are frequently and
even generally so great that 1t would De
impossible to deal with them as current ex-
penditures.
.sThese general considerations are REIN
forced and Illustrated by reference 10 Inc
experience of this community ana OF mu-
inequalities generally. The enormous sum
which was necessary by the new olIth oA
this city has not yet been PAID. Ii you
take up in detail the securities Hsteu UPON 20 i
the New York stock exchange you Will ma
among them municipal bonds OF all sorts
issued upon the authority OF honest anu
wise municipalities for the purpose OF ais
tributing the cost of extraordinary improve
ments through a long series OF years ana
charging that cost upon those who particle
pate in the value Of such improvements:
Therefore, whether we consider the supJect
upon the principle or with reference 10 prac-
teal experience In the past, we Hho IL loo
clear for discussion.
Alphonso Harris Views.
Alphonso Hart, president of the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association. said:
II think this is a critical period In the
history of the District Of Columbia. the
growth of the city and the needs OF It's
inhabitants are such as to demand very
large, important and permanent improve
ments. If the people are compelled to pay
for these improvements at once, the pufoen
of taxation would be very oppressive.
They should be relieved by EXTENDING
the payments over period of years. Thls
can be done by a loan or advancement
from the government. am nearuiy III
favor of the proposition to obtain loan
of S10OO0OO0. There was never a ume
when the money would do more good than
now, and there was never stronger case
where the burden Of taxation should De
divided between the present and future gen
erations than the one here presented"
William G. Henderson's Views.
II have too high an opinion Of the fair
ness and good business sense OF the large
majority of members Of Congress to be-
lieve for a moment that they Will refuse
to make the proposed advance for the
large permanent improvements needed In
the District" said Mr.. William G. Hender-
SON, president of the North Capitol and
10
Everybody recognizes the pressing neces-
sity for these improvements. 1t Is conceded
on all sides that they should be made, and
made as soon as possible.
That being SO why should the improve
ments be deferred until sufficient amount
to pay for them has been accumulated; or
why should they be carried on only so far
as a surplus of revenue every year VIII
justify. Why not antlcipte the surplus
revenues by a loan. or, what Is the same
thing, by an advance from the treasury,
and inaugurate aud carry to an early COM
pletion these needed improvements
1.-The money is sure to be paid back with
interest, and there can be no loss The
people cannot authorize the loan because
they are under the absolute government OF
Congress. There Is not city, town. or
county in any state OF the Union that does
not obtain money by a loan when 1t has
not sufficient in its treasury to make i'm
provements involving large expenditure.
There Is no question as to the financial
ability Of the District to pay back Its share
Of the advance out OF its future revenues
and without in the slightest degree impair
ing it's ability to pay it's fair and just share
of the current expenses Of the District
during the period it Is returning the advance
with interest on 1t.
ut would be unjust to require the peo
pie of the present to create sufficient sur
plus for these improvements before they
are made and during that period be de
prived of the benefits which they should BIZ
cd I n
to require them to present these improve
ments to those who come after without any
contribution on the part of the latter. Make
the needed improvements and let them bt
paid for by the people Of the present ant
Of the future. and let both alike have thu
enjoyment of them
It is Not Extravaganza.
There can be no extravaganza in max
ing these improvements now. Congress.
will continue to legislate as to what i'm
provements shall be made and what thu
cost shall be just the same. whether tn.
advance Is made or not.
1T Is purely question as to when tn,
improvements shall be made and by whom
they shall be paid for. If the people Of
the present and the future are able to pay
| for them and with interest, why not make
them at once and let the capital Of the ma
ton be what it should be. SO far as the
people Of the District of Columbia and the
Congress of the United States can Jointly
make it so.
THE citizens Of the District Individuals
and through their various citizens associa.
tons, and through the Board of Trade an6
the Business Mems Association, have
spoken as a unit for the advance. II there
| were ever unanimity in anything it is or
the necessity for the improvements: that
they should be made at once, that they
should be paid for by the people of the
present. together with those of the future
through an advance to he made now to be
returned with interest during a reasonable
period or years, and / firmly believe that
every member of Congress who takes pride
in the capital of his country. and who be-
lieves in fair distribution of the cost OF
needed public improvements Of perma-
nent character will vote for the loan"