The Washington times., 1913-12-06
HOLD PLAZA LUMP
MONEY VOTE VALID
House Members to Combat Plea
of Johnson If Matter Comes
to Debate.

That the lump appropriation for the
Union Station plaza concentrations was
regular despite the contention or Con-
gresham Ben johnson, which has temp
orally held up the award and necessi-
ia ed its review by the Department OF
Justice, will be contended by the au-
thors of the appropriation bills preyid-
ing for acquiring the property II the
matter ever reaches the House floor.
While other members of the House
are not inclined to combat in print the
protest mde by Mr.. johnson, which soon
will be the subject of an opinion by the
Attorney General. attention was called
today to the language Of the two pro-
visions under which the land was ac-
quired. 1t is held by one thoroughly
familiar with the history of the legisla-
ton that there was nothing irregular In
lied only this year, and that the con-
tention that only $4,000 should have
been available is rot tenable.
While the controversy continues prop
erty owners whose land has been con-
demned are awaiting their money, al
though more than $soo0ooe has been ap-
propriated
The Capital Grounds Commission. it
was said today by one who has watch
ed the various turns in the Capitol
Grounds enlargement, had no doubt Of
its right to take over the property
uiiuCE d lump dpDIOpl ittioH II 10 dlSo
asserted the legal advisers of the COM
mission so held.
johnson Maintains Silence.
Mr.. johnson maintains silence as to
what he has told the Department OF
Justice although 1t is well understood
that he attacks the legality of the lump
sum appropriation.
If Chairman johnson continues his op-
position TO tho condemnation proceed
ings, the debate probably will hinge on
the assumption that the $4,000 per
annum limit OF appropriation was re-
peased by the sundry civil act of this
year, which made Immediately available
more than s2,000.000
A history of the legislation covering
the Union Station Plaza matter and the
endorsement of the Capitol grounds was
summarized today as follows:
Incc- istent Acts Repealed.
The sundry civil act approved June d.
1910. covering the fiscal year 1911, con-
tains the following provision regarding
the enlargement of the Capitol grounds:
1T is hereby declared to be the pur-
pose OF Congress to ultimately acquire
all of the squares numbered (here the
detail of the property is described) for
the enlargement of the Capitol grounds
-. .and to eXpend for that pur-
pose not more than $500, 900 In any one
1911, and the persons authorized to ac-
quire such property shall annually with
in said limit purchaSe whatever of said
property is in their Judgment offered 1T
the lowest prices relative to its actual
value provided they shall not purchase
any property at above its fair value
Condemnation proceedings were au-
thoriZed with the provision that not
more than 100000 worth of property
should be condemned in any one fiscal
year. The bill carried 100000 for the
first years appropriation. ...-
In the sundry civil act dated June 23,
1913. the following additional legislation
appears: -. , .s'..z- !
plete the acquisition of squares (prop-
erty described) the sum necessary in ad-
dition to the sums already appropriated
to pay the amounts awarded by court
commission under the statute, S2,s23,-
97235." .
The act also contains a clause repeal
ing all laws inconsistent with the act
of June %, 1913. this clause reading:
THAT all sums appropriated by this
act for salaries of officers and employees
OF the Government shall be in full for
srch salaries for the fiscal year 1914, and
all laws or parts of laws in conflict with
the provisions of this act are repealed.