Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-29
CHARGES BY Mr.. JOHNSON
ARE ANSWERED IN DETAIL
0hioan Says Local Government Will
Bear Scrutiny.
FAITH IN COMMISSIONERS
Admits Payments at Base of Com
plant, But Says They
Were justified by
Law.

OF Ohio, a member of the appropriations
committee and formerly member of the
committee on the District of Columbia,
made notable speech in the House of
Representatives this afternoon in refuta-
tion Of the charge made by Representa-
tive Ben Johnson of Kentucky, chairman
OF the District committee in the present
Congress, that as a result of faulty book
keeping and improper Interpretation Of
statutes the District owes the federal gov
ernment millions of dollars.I
Mr.. Taylor. after calling attention to
the fact that the organic act under which
the federal government and the District
of Columbia are now operating in part
nership was passed by a democratic
House of Representatives. when Samuel
]. Randall of Pennsylvania was Speaker
and Joseph G.. S. Blackburn was chair
man Of the District committee, proceeded
to demonstrate. to the apparent satisfac-
tion Of those members of the House who
heard his argument, that there is no
foundation in fact for the johnson allie
cation.
Financial Condition GOOD.
Mr.. Taylor quoted from the various
statutes affecting the District of Column
bia and from colloquies on the subject of
tho National Capital in the House Of
Representatives, and made the claim that
washington. in a comparative sense, is
In q vastly better financial condition
than its sister cities of the country.
Mr.. Taylor said that Mr.. Johnson had
made a special point in regard to the 1856
Ger cent bonds Of the District. alleging
the government was not in law COM
PEELED to pay and guarantee one-half the
principal and interest on these bonds.
at is to endeavor to throw some light
upon this claim Of Mr.. Johnson" said
Mr.. Taylor. land correct what in my
judgment appears to be misunderstand-
ing governing the issuance and payment
of these bonds, that / desire to address
the House. In the first place. for fear
that my motives may be misunderstood,
Let me say that this is not the only thing
that will be investigated. The question OF
taxes and other important matters will
be. as l am Informed, thoroughly inquired
INTO Dy the Subcommittee IN cndrge or
this investigation. 1 do not speak as cne
opposed, but rather as one who approves
Of q most rigid and searching investiga-
ton of the affairs of the District in its
every department.
Faith in Committee.
'I have absolute faith that the COM
mittee will act fairly and will bring in at
the conclusion Of its labor an unbiased
for something to criticise, but are giving
their time and attention to Investigating,
without bias or prejudice. every depart
ment of the District government in order
that Congress may know just what are
the methods of administering the
business of this great community. Per
sonally. / have every faith in the integ-
rity of the board of Commissioners / be-
lieve that they will give every assistance
toward bringing to light anything that
the committee may desire in the way of
facts governing the scope of this investi-
CATION
so earnestly did the chairman insist
that no law existed for these payments
that my curiosity as member of this
House, and as citizen of the country
which helps support this District was
aroused. 1 had personal knowledge from
my long experience on the committee of
the District of Columbia, and from my in
vestigatiOns as a member of the appro-
priatfons committee. that the government
was not only paying One-half of the in
terest on these bonds, but it was also
paying one-half of the principal.
Says Money Was Paid.
'The gentleman from Kentucky did not
state that this was positively being done.
In fact. he disclaims personal knowledge
and says that he speaks from reliable
Information He could have cleared up
this latter by asking any member of the
appropriations committee. or its very able
clerk, Mr.. Courts. because an item has
been annually carried since 1879 appro-
priating out Of the joint revenues of the
District and the United States govern
msnt a sum sufficient to pay the interest
and to create sinking fund to meet the
funded debt.
III the business of the District was so
run and the Treasury Department was SO
careless in its disbursing OF public
moneys as to pay out millions OF dollars
on obligations for which they We're not
liable. l proposed first to verify the state
nnents of the chairman and then demand
an explanation. With that in view nave
myself, following the course pursued by
the gentleman from kentucky. gone back
through all OF the legislation, reports OF
committees and debates on the hoor OF
the House and Senate which might have
bearing upon this subject.
''The gentleman from Kentucky bases
his entire contention in so far as his
statements on the floor OF the House are
concerned that the government Is not
liable for any part of the principal or
interest on these bonds. upon an act OF
Congress passed I'm the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill Of 1877, which ! have
cited.
Organic Act Came Later.
'sThe gentleman seems to have over
looked one very essential thing, to wit,
that the organic act, under which this
District Is now operating. and which for
the first time in the history Of the Lis
trict provides for a 80 per cent participa-
tfon in the expenses Of the District by
the government, was not passed until
one year after the statute which he cites.
He seems to have stopped short of the
CONTINUED ON Seventh Pagel