Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-18
About $16,Oo0,0 900 Is Amount
to Which a Claim in
Equity Is Lodged.
CIVIC BODIES MAY TAKE
DEBT IDEA TO CONGRESS
Reckoned q Good Offset to Attempt
to Collect Ancient In
terest Charge.


financial relations Of the federal and To-
cal governments would show the United
States to be In equity debtor to the
District Of Columbia to the extent Of
several millions Of dollars may be one Of
the disclosures to grow out Of the pro-
posed inquiry by local business ana civic
organizations into the charges preferred
by the House committee which IL cram
ming District affairs.
Since this committee reported that the
District owes the United States about
j. million dollars on the 3.65 bonds, the
charte having contracted before the or.
ssaaie act wa. adopted. In 1878. local
M ,cial history Of the municipality.
They have discovered according to
statements ,s made today that The District,
than the federal government did for
local government purposes and for pur-
poses in which the people Of the Dis.
trict had joint interest with the United
States.
Should Work Both Ways.
It IL contended. therefore. that II an
local government between the United
States ana the District Of Columbia Is a
just one. AZ Is now admitted, then the
United States is in equity . debtor to
the District, as shown by the expendi-
lures made prior to 1873
In other words. it Is pointed out that
II Congress decides to 90 back OF the or
ganic act and collect q million-dollar in
terest charge. its policy should be liberal
enough to permit Of the District receiv-
ing the advantage of any equities which
are due it by reason Of the financial re-
lations existing between the two govern
ments prior to 1878.
While no formal call has been issued
for meeting of the Chamber Of Com
ton Of Citizens Associations to consider
what shall be the attitude Of these
bodies toward the House District COM
mittee investigations, indications today
are that the big civic ana business Or
ganizations will formally take cognizance
Of the situation before the end Of the
week.
Informal Conference Held.
Several informal conferences Of the
members Of these organisations already
have been held and the consensus OF
opinion has been that action OF some
character IL called for in view OF state
ments made by the chairman Of the
House committee rejecting upon the
integrity Of Warrington business
growing out OF the packed Jury"
charge. and OF the committees inten-
ton to collect million dollar debt said
6anic Act went into effect.
WAehtngtoniAn1 who have made IN un-
biased study OF local government condi-
tions point to tho fact that many things
District have not been brought out BY
the House committees Investigation.
For example. It 10 pointed out. tho
United States condemned i've squares Of
ssound s ,ots 49,. Of PIE psnnsylxania avenue
proving many OF the buildings located on
the property for the purpose OF renting
them.
With the condemnation Of this prop
ings valued at about $500. 900, upon
which 1t previously collected taxes.
The United States government appar-
emily does not intend to improve the
property immediately with public
improving the buildings already locat-
ed on the land for revenue-producinR
purposes, in which the District does
not share.
Appeal TO Civic Pride.
Members Of the Chamber Of Commerce.
Board Of Trade ana Federation OF Cit
sens Associations, who favor these or
gAnizAtions looking into the merit Of the
charges being preferred by the House,
take that position for the reason that
they believe that there should be greater
evidence by Washingtonians Of their civic
pride.
II charges Of the House committee 20
unrefuted and nothing IL said In favor
Of the National Capital by those who live
here, the impression will be created out
side that conditions in Washington are
much worse than they really are. 1t is
commended
Should the three organisations unite
In IN investigation OF the situation, 1t is
more than likely that subcommittee will
be appointed with authority to appoint
legal counsel to represent the District al
the committee hearings, Il "a stated.