The Washington times., 1914-07-29
SYNE TO RULE ON
STREET REPAIR TAX
Corporation Counsel viii Decide
When the BorIand Amend
ment Is Effective.

After a half hours discussion Of the
question, raised by Congressman Ben
johnson, chairman of the House DIS
trict appropriation bill chmrdlu mfwy
trict Committee, as to whether the
Rorland amendment to the Dis
Sict appropriation bill asserting half
SSs cost Of street improvements on
Sroperty owners is applicable this
-eur. the Commissioners today passed
it UP to the corporation counsel An
opinion from Corporation Counsel
Syme is expected tomorrow.
The opinion of Congressman johnson
is that the word hereafter in the
amendment means that the new meth
cd of distributing the cost will not be
effective until the beginning Of the
next fiscal year.
In determining the question, Corpora
ton Counsel Syme will carefully study
the phraseology Of former approprta-
ton bills in which similar construc-
ton may have been used. and will as
certain also what legal decisions, II
any. have been rendered on the sub
ject.
Commissioners Newman and Siddons
and Acting Engineer Commissioner
Capt Mark Brooke will make an in
spection tomorrow of the streets sched-
uled for improvement. Whatever the
opinion Of the corporation counsel re-
garding the distribution of the cost,
the work will not be delayed
Prior to the suggestion that the Bor-
land amendment does not apply this
property would otherwise be assessed
that they would be given until July 81
at noon to show cause why the i'm
provements should not be undertaken.
in reply hundreds of letters have been
received protesting against the assess
ments declaring that the thoroughfares
in question are in good condition and
not IN need Of resurfacing.
Officials of the District are wonder
ing, whether the protestants will have
reason to change their opinion in the
event the corporation counsel decides
that property owners shall bear no Fart
of the cost of street improvements this
year.
Page Says Effective Now.
Congressman Page. who piloted the
District appropriation bill through the
House, today took issue with Congress
man BIN johnson and the District Com
missioners, who questioned whether the
Borland street paving amendment was
immediately effective. Mr.. Page as
serts that the property owners will not
have one year of grace, and that they
must contribute to street improvements
abutting their property If made during
the current fiscal year.
Congressman Ben johnson, in confer
ence with the Commissioners yesterday,
contended that the word hereafter IN
the Boriand amendment absolved prop
crty owners from playing q proportional
street paving Ghost during this fiscal
year. and that the amendment will not
. become effective until July next
This construction is a mistake" said
Mr.. Page today. The word .hereafters
in appropriation bills has always been
construed to mean two things: first
that IL is unnecessary to write again
the language in the law in future years:
second. that the provision, whatever it
may be, takes effect simultaneously
with the signing of the bill by the
President.
District proporey owners are labor
ing under false hopes If they believe
that the Borland amendment will not
become operative for one year"