Evening star., 1914-11-28
One Debt Already Paid.

1t is understood that CommissionS
Siddons, in speaking of this proposed
legislation to member of the appro-
priations committee of the House. in
formed him that the Commissioners
have already used surplus cash to wipe
out the balance of the 100000 debt
which was discovered against the Dis
trict in favor of the Government Hos
pitai for the Insane. The policy adopt
ed originally when this debt was dis
covered would have liquidated the in
debtedness 100000 at time, but with
the money raised in the past year and
not appropriated for new works and
sioners paid the entire amount of the
hospital claim.
As far as Chairman Page of the sub
committee in charge of the bill knows
now. there is no outstanding debt of
any size at all in which the District
of Columbia Is interested except the
funded debt-the 3.65 bonds. This
amounted to ss.5S3,000 on September
80, 1914. However, it is regarded as
possible that the holders of the 3.65
bonds may not be willing to turn in
the securities at present as the bonds
were issued to run until 1924.
Policy Heretofore Pursued.
The policy pursued in the past has
been to appropriate 100000, or an ap
proxinnate sum, for the sinking fund
established to retire these bonds.
AS many 3.65 bonds as could be
bought at g reasonable figure-say 102
have been bought up. Also with any
surplus United States bonds have been
invested in and the interest used to
meet the interest on the Districts own
bonds. Therefore if the Commissioners
ind themselves empowered, or If Con-
isress authorizes them, to place two or
three millions in the sinking fund out
OF the eight millions which the Dis
trict will raise next year, the Treasury
may have to invest a large portion of
the sum in bonds of the United States
and hold them until 1924, when the 3.65
issue comes due.
Nothing for Gallinger Hospital.
There will be no GalIinger Hospital
tem in the District bill, it is under
,ood. although the Commissioners
ave estimated for it to the extent of
100000, according to a statement at
ne District building. The supcommit-
Ice in charge of the bill has found that
&c plans for the hospital. appropriate
ID for in the present act, have not been
ompleted. That gives the subcommit-
lee a fair excuse. it is argued, for not
.,Epropriating for the hospital.
The hospital subject finds Congress di-
vided. Many members believe in the
continued appropriation OF sums or the
existing hospitals. and many others be-
lieve the United States and the Distric,
should build, operate and own mu-
nicpn hospital here and should not cCn-
tribute one dollar to the other hospitals
Seventh Street Paving Discussed.
The year-old subject of a paving for
7th street northwest has begun to- show
signs of life. Several business men have
asked for hearings the subject. but
too late, as the hearings closed We'd
nesday.
President Driscoll of the Mid-City
Citizens Association informed Chair
man Page that the associa Hon is in
favor of the Borland amendment, i'm
posing a portion of the cost of new as
phalt pavings On the property owners
on either side, and from all appearances
Tth street for several blocks north of
New York avenue will be repaved. AT
least there is a good chance for this
item to be made part of the District
bill
Under the Borland amendment the
property owners each side of the
street pay fourth of the cost, and the
Capital Traction Company will be re-
sp0nsible for the space included in the
tracks and for two feet on each side
This would relieve the United States OF
heavy expenditure for this much dis :
cussed new paving. ~