Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-21
THREE D. c. BILLS
REPORTED TO HOUSE
For Buying Market Property,
Housing and Purchase of
Supplies by U. S. Employees.
GARBAGE PLANT BILL NEXT

Three important measures affecting
the District of Columbia were reported
favorably to the House today by the
House District committee. These are:
A bill introduced yesterday by Chair
man johnson of the District committee
authorizing the government to take
over the improvements on the property
now rented by the government to the
Washington Market Company by pay
ing to the company the value of these
improvements. estimated at about $780,
600. the land, which is owned by the
federal government, being estimated at
81. 100000
A bill introduced by Representative
Mapes of Michigan authorizing the ex-
penditure of s1O.00o.0oo to provide ade-
quate housing facilities for the war
workers called to Washington to take
positions under the lump sum appro-
priation.
A bill introduced Yesterday by Repre-
sentative Johnson. which would permit
all employees of the government in the
District of Columbia, including MEM
bers of Congress and employees of the
House and Senate, to purchase supplies
at the commissary stores operated by
the quartermaster's department of the
Army and the bureau of supplies and
accounts of the Navy Department.
Garbage Plant Bill Overlooked
The bill introduced at the request of
the District Commissioners to provide
government-owned garbage disposal
plant for the District, to begin opera
ton July 1 of this year. which was ex-
pected to be reported favorably from
the committee today, was overlooked
in the press of other measures. Chair
man Johnson, however, said that he
will call a special meeting of the Dis
trict committee Saturday morning to
report out Immediately the garbage
bill, because action must be taken at
once in order to provide disposal
system before the present contract ex-
pires. July /.
The bill introduced yesterday by
Chairman Johnson would repeal and
annul certain parts of the charter and
lease granted to the Washington Mar
ket Company by an act of Congress- ap-
proved May 20. 1870. which has more
than fifty years yet to run. 1t is under
this lease that Chairman Johnson
charged on the floor of the House prof
iteering has been practiced against the
government itself. He pointed out that
whereas the Washington Market Com
pany is paying a rental of only $500
for the land and certain street privi-
leges ada cent thereto. the Treasury
$4,000 year for portion of space in
the building.
Chairman Johnson's bill provides
that any space in the building not
needed by the United States govern
ment may be rented at just price to
S'lch concerns as are now occupying it
These include ld-storage plants of
several packing concerns. The bill
also would allow persons renting stall
room in the market to continue to use
the same by paying the rental to the
government instead of to the Wash
ington Market Company.
No Raise in Rentals.
The johnson bill provides that the
market grounds and buildings taken
over by the United States after July /,
19lS. shall be under the control of the
Secretary of the Interior. 1t specifi-
cally states that the rental charged ,for
any booth or stall shall not be greater
than the rental now charged. The Sec
retary of the Interior would be empow-
erred to make and enforce such rules
and regulations for the management
and control of the property as he may
deem best 1t states that the Secretary
shall not make any leases for any part
of the premises for a period longer
than three years and that these may be
Cancelled by Congress at any time
The Johnson bill provides that the
President as soon as practicable after
the approval of the measure shall an
point commission of three men. only
one of whom may be resident of the
District, to appraise the building and
improvements in order that a just com
pensation for the Improvement may be
paid to the Washington Market Com
pany. No one may be appointed on
this commission who is a member or
former member of Congress, any officer
or employe of the United States or a
stockholder in the market company:
nor creditor of the market company,
or any one directly or indirectly in
terested financially in the property
In regard to the Mapes bill appropriat-
ing S10,000.0D0 to relieve housing con-
gestion in the District. Chairman John
son said that no contest will be made
between his committee and the House
committee on public buildings and
grounds. which has voted A committee
amendment carrying s10.0O0.000 for a
similar purpose. which will be carried
in the S5o.000,000 industrial housing
bill which has been given preferential
standing for consideration under a
special rule to be offered as soon as
the war finance corporation bill has been
disposed Of Chairman Johnson said the
only purpose is to make such funds as
needed available as soon as possible for
meeting the housing needs in Wash
ington. If this money can be appro-
priated sooner through the amend
ment of the House building and
grounds committee, there will be no
opposition from the House District
committee.