Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-09
WOULD ISSUE BONDS
Mr.. B. Fl. Warner Addresses
Brightwood Citizens.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
QUESTION OF COST OF STREET Elk
TENSION ALSO DISCUSSED.
President Shoemaker Announces His
Intention Not to Be Candidate for
Re-Election-Notes of Interest.


meeting of the Brightwood Citizens Asso-
citation at Brightwood Hotel last night Mr.
B. H. Warner advocated a bond issue as
the means of meeting the pressing demands
for much-needed improvements in the DIS
trict of Columbia. Mr.. Warner said the
local finances are in bad condition. with
great needs unsatisfied He laid the fond
issue proposition before the meeting, with
an interesting and lucid explanation, anu
his address made it evident that he mas
made a thorough study of the situation.
His remarks were received with hearty ap-
probation. A resolution in line with Tile
address was adopted by the association.
The sewer question was taken UP py the
association. Resolutions similar In scope
to those adopted at the recent meeting OF
the Citizens Northwest Suburban Associa-
ton were passed, were measures pro-
testing against the action OF the mouse
committee on the District in recommending
that the District bear the entire costs %
street extensions President Louis +.
Shoemaker announced that he would not De
a candidate for reelection at the annual
election of officers next month.
Mr.. Charles c. Lancaster onerea the fe ,Ss
luton bearing the sewer question II was
recited in the resolution that the commas
sioners have prepared bill for laying va
ter mains and service sewers In tne LIZ ~
trict and that the measure is penui!!s ~
fore Congress. Mr.. Lancaster salo II was
;mnerative that the bill should pass at this
session in order that the sewers anu iiaiis
might be installed as soon as possible.
To Advocate Passage of Bill.
President Shoemaker appointed Messrs.
J.ncaster Saul. Lambert Mclaughlin and
Hernicke a committee to appear pe1ore 'ie
Ds,rict committees in Congress In behalf
of the passage Of the bill.
The second resolution bearing upon street
extensions which was offered by MI. Ian
caster, and which was adopted, was TO .ne
effect that the association protests againsl
the action of the House committee on the
District of Columbia in recommending t1las
the United States should not pay one-haii
of the cost. hor+
address upon the action of the House DIS
trict committee in recommending that tHe
district be made to bear the entire expense
attached to the extension of streets.
Mr.. Warmers Address.
Mr.. Warner prefaced his address with
brief remarks upon the present form vi
government in the District. He said he dio
not. however, desire to see change' ou'
added that the present form of public ad-
mnistration has a narrowing influence
upon the people. Mr.. Warner referred TO
the influences that are at work TO make the
city great municipality.
policy has been pursued. Our common
council has been trying to pay Tor large
permanent improvements out or current
revenues. There is no city in the Union
with such pressing demands as the capital
of the country which would consider TINS
policy for a moment bond issue Wouio
be authorized. That is what we neeu IN
the District of Columbia. We ought to de-
mand it in more emphatic terms than ever
before.
'',rhe people of the whole country are in
terested in Washington city, continued
Mr.. Warner There is constant stream
of tourists pouring into the national capl-
tai, which will be greatly enlarged with the
completion of terminal facilities Every
lover of his country who comes here goes
away profoundly impressed with the object
| lessons which arise before him.
THE debt of the District of Columbia
when the territorial form of government
| was abolished was SO, 1886, 200; bonded debt
reported by the treasurer of the United
| States December 3, 1903, being in 1855 bonds,
| $12, SAG 800: decrease by operation OF sink
| ing fund, $40, $4,000.
"'The bonded debt of our District is very
| low Our income is increasing largely each
year, as is illustrated by the following fig
| ures:
| 1.-The tax collections on general fund for
the years ending June 3d. 1871, were 81, &c.,
coo; June 80, 1881, s2,O11 ,919.14; June 3d.
| 1891, S2,S74, 234.71 June 80, 1903, $780,
| 1876.
"A rapid growth, and emitting us to the
very high credit We possess. We could
| easily borrow all the money we need If we
! only had authority. 1t is fair to suppose
/ that with the expenditure of SIS 900 600 for
| the municipal projects referred to our per-
| manent improvements for the next few
| years would amount to several millions of
| dollars, judicious expenditure of money
| in opening some of our main thorough
| fares and putting our park property III
proper order, would give a decided stimu-
| lus to building. Then, too, within the next
few years the general government, our
| partner in all forward movements, will ex-
| pend many millions of dollars in the erec-
| ton of new buildings.
THE expenditure by railroad companies
| for the vast work now in progress will add
greatly to our taxable capital. If bond
| issue of 15,OO0,000 were authorized, the in
terest on the same ould be 100000 per an
| mum. 1t Is fair to suppose that our taxa
| BILE property would increase in value at
least $10,OO0,O00, that with the government
| contribution would give us income suffi-
cient to pay the interest on our increased
bonded debt.
Minimum of Revenue.
II have put down the increase in our
| revenues at minimum. l believe they will
| increase more than 100000 within the
next five years. proper sinking fund can
| be provided and our Indebtedness can be
paid off from year to year so as to not
| make it burdensome, either to us or to
| those who come after us.
| Our credit is very much higher than it
| was in 1878, when our Indebtedness was
| more than s22.000,UO0. Since that time, we
| have decreased our debt as 1 have stated,
| about $1O,500000. 1 remember very well
| when the certificates of indebtedness of the
| District were sold as low as forty cents on
| the dollar. Under new conditions when so
| many energetic and pushing men are en-
| gagged in developing business interests with
| our municipal affairs, supervised by the
/ general government, the decrease in our an
nual Indebtedness would be much more
| rapid in the future than in the past. 1t
/ does seem surprising that there should be
/ any difference of opinion among our citi-
| zens as to decreasing our bonded debt. In
| deed / think nearly all are in favor of the
proposition.
I'VE ought to present a solid front in this
| matter. Your association stands at the
| head of the column, next to the Board of
| Trade and the Business Mems Association.
Keep up the good work and reward is sure
| to come.
| 1T is unfair that because the citizens of
| the District do not vote that their requests
| should not be heard and their reasonable
i demands acceded to.
Time Is rapidly passing, many of us
| have been working hard for years to ac-
I fish We n