Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-26
FAITH IN, THE SENATE
BELIEF THAT THE DISTRICT WILL
GIT NEEDED FUNDS.
Appropriation for Work in Connection
With the; Union Station
Construction.

The Commissioners have great hopes that
Congress will at this session authorize the
appropriation Of 100000, which Is needed
by the District to carry on its share OF the
work In connection with the union station
project. The money is needed for the con-
struction of the plaza in front OF the sta
ton, for the opening of streets. grading.
ETC., and 1t was hoped that the appropria-
ton would be provided for in the urgent
deficiency bill. but the House committee
eliminated the item.
In speaking of the matter to a reporter
for The Star today Commissioner Macfar-
land stated that the Commissioners hope to
have the item of 100000 placed back in
the urgent deficiency bill. by the Senate
committee when the bill comes before that
body for consideration.
1.-THE Commissioners have presented the
same statement to the Senate as was pre-
scented before the House committee, salo
Mr.. Macfarland. 1.-The urgent need FOR the
amount is set forth in the statement. and
besides the report Of the hearing with the
arguments presented before the House COM
mittee will be placed before the Senate
committee.
I'm case Congress does not see fit to ap-
propriate the whole amount at this time.
we hope that provision will be made for
sufhctent amount for present needs. and II
TIC itcu is uTOppeu eUtlFeiy from tiIe III 5eAe
deficiency bill the Commissioners believe
that the appropriation will be authorized
by the appropriations committee
Col. Biddle's Hopes.
Col. John Biddle, Engineer Commissioner.
under whose department the appropriation
will be expended If made, stated that all of
the 100000 will be needed for the work to
be performed by the District during the
next fiscal year.
Il hope" said Col Biddle that Congress
Will not cut down the amount for it will be
necessary to have that amount to carry on
its share of the work. All of the land for
the opening of the streets is yet to be pur-
chased. the contracts for the work must be
let, and a large sum will be needed for the
grading and construction of the plaza. In
the construction of the plaza 1t will be
necessary to make an immense fill. and we
have hoped to begin that part of the work
next spring and carry it through to COM
pletion without any interruption.
III 1t be necessary to cease all work
on the union station project in no app
preparation for this work is made at this
session." Col. Biddle was asked.
Il don't see how it can proceed" an
swered the Engineer Commissioner "The
District is already in debt in quite a large
and 1t doesn't seem proper to expect the
railroad to continue to do the Districts part
of the work without being paid for it,
How Debt Was Incurred.
''The District became indebted to the
railroad company in this manner. The
company was authorized to do grading in
side it's right of way. In order to avoid
Inconvenience to the public and to prevent
unnecessary delay the railroad company
offered to 'dethe Districts grading outside
the company's right of way at the same
price it was paying for its own work.
The price was reasonable and the plan
seemed to the Commissioners as the most
economical. and insthe interests of the pub
lie convenience and the public good the
company was authorized to do the Dis
trict's share Of the grading. The company
offered to wait for the money. This amount
should be paid. as well meeting ex-
penses for carrying on other work.