Evening star., 1924-01-05

ratification of the treaty Of peace. On
ate resolution, the Attorney General
f1led a report to the effect that the
government had abandoned its inten-
tion of acquiring the land from the
railroad company and condemnation
proceedings were dismissed. The
government continued to occupy the
land, and, on November IA. 1922. the
railroad company served notice of the
expiration of the lease and requested
that the buildings be removed.
ment. through the Secretary Of La
Dor. requested extension of the lease,
which was refused. The matter was
then referred to the public buildings
committees Of the Senate and House.
The Senate committee favorably re-
the President to lease the land and
pay rentals from revenues derived
from che operation Of the govern
resolution on February %. 1923. It
was reported favorably to the House.
but failed to pass. ..
Conference Last March.
A conference was held on March s.
1923, in the office OF the Secretary Of
Labor, between representatives of
the railroad company, members Of the
Senate and House committee and off,
cials Of the Department Of Labor, at
which 1t was agreed that an estimate
Of appropriation for the payment of
The railroad company first thought
that a reasonable rental for this
land would be $3.50 600 q year, or s
per cent on $2.ooo,0 900. which they de-
clared was the market value of the
property.
The representatives OF the govern
, ment finally persuaded the officers of
the company to reduce this rental to
S74,314.91, or from November IA, 1922,
the date Of expiration Of the old
agreement, to January 81, 1924. OF
$4,000.
The proposed rental involves an ad
ditional monthly operating expense of
$6.192.91.
Secretary Davis explains that i'm
mediately after the conference OF
March 6. 1923. the guest rates at the
hotel Were increased sufficiently to
| produce additional revenues Of $7.205
monthly. This increase has been ef-
fective since March 16. 1923.
Battle Monument Needs.
In regard to the estimate OF $s5.75t
for the American Battle Monuments
Commission. Brig. Gen. H. M. Lord
director OF the budget. points out that
the budget for the fiscal year 1925
this commission. but that. IL appro-
priated as requested. those funds
| would not be available until July /
1894. AS nearly as can be estimated
! at this time, he says. $95,750 will be
necessary to enable the commission
1874. is Iuh'''0n properly until june, 80
Accompanying the recommends tior
| of deficiency estimate Of $75,6S2 fol
the federal board for vocational edu.
cation is a letter from the director
\ of the budget which explains thai
this amount Is necessary for co-op~r.
| alive vocational education In agri.
cultural subjects to carry into effect
! for tho fiscal year 1894 provisions
| Of tho act that the allotment OF
funds to any state for cooperative
vocational education in aSricultural
subjects shall not be less than Z
minimum OF $4,000 for the hsca
In regard to q proposed appropri..
| tion of $500 for the laying Of wate,
mains and the erection Of hydrants ir
| the Smithsonian Institution grounds
i the director Of the budget explainl
| that 1t is proposed to install four fire
I, hydrants OF modern type between ths
Natural History building and tn.
buildings FOR adequate nrs protection
OF. those buildings. The two hydrants
now available are Of antiquat0d tyne
| and have proven to be worthless.
.RegardfnT the proposed appropria
l Ltfon of ~ 900 for printing and binding
k<a4 The zeesnA tDeOeS oem1nW13aA