Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-30
LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS
is DISCUSSED AT LENGTH
Chairman Johnson Replies to Tay-
lor's Argument.
ALLEGES VIOLATION OF LAW
Messrs Borland, Mann, Kahn, Coop
er, Davis and Sims Also
Take Part in
Debate.

In an hour-long speech on the floor o.
the House yesterday afternoon. Repre-
sentative Edward L. Taylor. jr., of Ohio
q member of the appropriations com
mittee. and formerly an active membe
of the committee on the District of Co
lumbia, undertook to refute the charge
by Representative Ben Johnson of Ken
tucky. chairman of the District com
mittee. that, as a result OF bad book
keeping and misinterpretations of the
statutes. the District Of Columbia owes
the federal government millions of dol
lars.
Accountant Mays of Kentucky, an en-
ploye of the District committee. is now
examining the partnership records of the
federal government and the government
of the District In an effort to find some
substantiation for this allegation. Later
the special subcommittee of the District
committee. which, by the terms of the
Oldfield resolution. is authorized to in
vestigate every department of the Dis
trict government, will look into the ques-
ton.
After Mr.. Taylor delivered his speech
yesterday Chairman Johnson OF the Dis
trict committee replied and other men,
bers. evincing interest in the matter. took
q hand in the debate on the partnership
problem.
The Stipulation in Act Of 1874.
Chairman johnson of the District COM
mittee opened the discussion.
THE gentleman from Ohio he said,
''has just read from the act of 1874,
which says in substance that the United
States government pledges It's faith to
pay, according to its proportion, half
the expenses Of the District of Columbia
by such proportionate contributions as
Congress may hereafter make. Now II
understand the gentleman correctly he
means to say by that that Congress
then and there agreed to contribute to-
es.S es act of Congress thereafter TO De pass
II say" Mr.. Taylor responded, that
that pledge bound the United States
government: bound the government. not
Congress a great many men more able
than myself, and greater lawyers. said
the same thing, among them being j.
G. S Blackburn of the gentlemans own
state. may be wrong, and he may be
wrong
The gentleman did refer to the act of
1874 Mr.. Johnson suggested
THAT is the one i was talking about,
replied MIR Taylor.
YES" continued the District chairman,
"by which these bonds were to be paid
by the District and the federal govern
ment to such an extent as the federal
government might thereafter make ap-
propriations to do So.
"Ry whatever proportional appropria-
tions the government agreed to make. il
not having at that time made any spe-
cific arrangement" said Mr. Taylor.
"By a proper proportional contribu-
tion?' asked Mr.. Johnson.
Yes" Mr.. Taylor replied.
Caj6 Tnf, hot
was only a contemplation. but when they
came to form the permanent agreement
between the District and the federal gov
ernment in 1878 they used this language:
Hereafter the Secretary of the Treasury
shall pay the interest on the 3.65 bonds of
the District OF Columbia, issued in pur-
suance of the act CT Congress approved
June -. 1874. when the same shall be-
come due and payable: and all amounts
80 paG shall be credited as part of the
Appropriation for the year by the United
States toward the expenses of the Dis
trict of Columbia. as hereinbefore pro-
vided. -
Yes, 1 read that" Mr.. Taylor declared
Showing most conclusively" said Mr..
Johnson, that when Congress came to
make the APPROPRIATION
II yielded to the gentleman for a cues
ton. not for a speech" Mr.. Taylor inter
rupted II arp perfectly willing that he
shall have time. but let him use his own
time
.'Then does the gentleman mean to con-
tend" Mr. johnson asked. that by the
act of 1873. which / read, Congress re-
fused to pay it's share of one-half on
these bonds?
"They say the United States treasurer
shall pay it, said Mr.. Taylor.
But they say when it is paid by the
United States treasurer it shall be de-
Quoted from the appropriation Mr.
johnson explained.
Law Changed in 1879.
Further on, in 1S79,'' said Mr. Taylor
'they changed the law and the entire
scheme. and made a permanent annual
appropriation for the sinking fund, and
that undoubtedly does away with the act
of Is7S''
Does not that act almost repeat the
same language and say that this interest
and principal shall come out of the hall
which the United States government ap-
propriates?" the District chairman de-
manded.
.'Oh. no." Mr. Taylor repliel.
May | ask the gentleman from Ohio.
SAID Representative Mann of Illinois, Ii
he Is able to inform the House, in view
of the difference of opinion to the
meaning Of the language OF the acts OF
1878 and 1879. what was the construction
OF the acts by Congress at that time SO
=
They construed IT." Mr.. Taylor replied
to mean that every year. beginning with
the year 1870. they were to appropriate
sum sufficient to pay the interest on
the bonds and to create a sinking fund
for the absorption of the principal and
they did SO, and have done so every year
since 1879. up to and including the pres
ent fiscal year. 1912"
will the gentleman please read that
section there. about the refunding act
OF 1872" Mr.. Johnson suggested. He
will find himself contradicted.'
If l am," Mr.. Taylor responded, the
gentleman will have plenty Of time in
which to point Ii out"
In the method of appropriation pur-
sued at present as to the District" Mr.
Mann continued. so much Is approprtat-
ed, with a provision that part of II Is
to be paid out of the Treasury and part
Of II out OF the revenues of the District .
WAS that sort of form. or something
substantially similar to it, showing the
construction or opinion of Congress that