The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-18
D. A. R. IS DIVIDED
OVER GIFTS MADE
FOR USE OF HALL
Taxes RENTED on Con-
dition That Auditorium
BeLoaned Rent Free.
Furniture Being Worn
Out, Though Little
Used by Owners.

Prominent leaders IN the affairs of
the Daughters Of the American Revolu-
ton are struggling with a probelm
which promises TO be a factor in the
debates OF the forthcoming congress in
Continental Hall.
Taxes were RENTED under an agree
ment that no charge would be made 20
persons or organizations using the hall
for entertainment or meeting places.
The hall has been loaned" to colleges
and societies and in return, it is said.
gifts Of money have been made to
the D. A r.
Is the money 'tainted?" IS the oues-
ton that is puzzling the leaders. and
members are anxious to know some
thing about 1t themselves
Problems Before Society.
Meanwhile the furniture is wearing
out through the use by other orranjza-
tons than the Daughters Of the Aneri-
can Revolution.
Inc problems that now confrOnts she
society are: Shall this money. go TO a
Iund 70 cover the cost Of repairs or
ShaII the society, which has used the
nall for only two congresses, stand the
IossE And will the use CT this gift
money be a violation Of the promise
under which the taxes were remitted2
Ihat the taxes on the hall were remit
ted under an agreement that no charge
should be made for the hall to persons
using 1t for entertainment or meeting
places was clearly understood During
the last year or so the hall has been
frequently used. but no charge. appar-
entity, was made to the colleges and So
NH, al
fairs were given That money gifts
have been made TO the society IN return
Ter this courtesy, however. is generally
understood, and now the members want
70 know about it.
Furniture Wearing Out.
Furthermore. the furniture is wearins
out sadly through use not by the pauRh-
ters Of the American Revolution. but
by those organizations to which the
hall has been loaned" Many want to
know where the money is 10 come from
10 repair the damages done BY visiting
societies, and If the members OF Their
own society, who have used the hall for
only Two congresses, are expected TO
have the use OF shabby furniture instead
or the neat. new equipment which was
installed two years ago.
The cost OF installing this equipment,
II is said, was something in the neigh
borhOod Of 5000 and when II wears
out. IS II probably will, members de-
clare, If these "cOUrtesies'' are con-
tinued during the next year or two, ii
VIII be absolutely necessary to make
some repairs and again the question of
funds arises.
Whether it is definitely known lust
now muc2 money has been turned over
TO the sfciety in the shape of gifts
has not been disclosed. but delegates
who viii figure in the Forthcoming. CON
gress are asking each other how much
lt II Is ana where It has gone. There is
no question but that the money is fn
the hands OF the society, but the con-
tenU1On Of certain members Is that II
should be kept apart from other funds
contend that If these organizations are
going to be allowed to occupy the han
ana wear CUt the furniture thew Should
oe given. the further privilege Of paying
20 have IL repaired.
"Gifts" May Be Illegal.
It is understood that, according TO
law. these gifts Of money from Or
ganizations which have been given the
use Of the hall would not find favor
should the question of the remittance OF
taxes be brought up formally.
II is likely that this question NAV be
tnreshed out in the coming congress. /
Considerable satisfaction has been
Shown in the arrangement which has
prevailed since the hail first oDened for
business, and members of the Society
VINO nave so long wanted a home of
their own are very much disappointed
at this new deterrent to the sticcessful
completion and maintenance of CONT
Mental Hall
A meeting Of the national board was
held this morning to make dnaI az
rangements for the congress next week
Mrs; Donald Mclean. president. general |
~ the society, who has been in Wash
tngton since last Wednesday. presided
and announced that everything is ready
for the series Of meetings.
Members Of the Continental Hall COM !
mutee met this afternoon TO discuss its
report. which is TO be submitted to the
congress. and which will be one of tbe
most important in the long list