Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-05
District Loss by Filibuster.

more than s40,o0o,ooO in important
permanent improvements that were
assured Of approval had an oppor-
tunity been allowed for calling up
for final action the several measures
in which they were provided. This
does not mean. however. that these
improvements will be abandoned. but
> merely that there will be delay until
the new Congress can carry the
various measures throughput which
will probably mean some increase in
cost to both the Federal Treasury
and the District taxpayers.
In addition to the $4o,o00,00o there
are also many minor, routine matters
OF District business the funds for
. which will not be available.
The Districts loss comes princi-
pally under two headings--first. the
items in the second deficiency appro-
priation bill; and second, authorize
{ tions in other measures which were
biockaded by the filibuster.
: The most important matter in this
hitter group is the 100000 for ac-
!. quiring the privately owned land in
the triangle south of Pennsylvania
avenue to the Mall, which was held
back because an amendment was
made in the House to add another
800, 900 900 to the authorization for
post Offices all over the country. There
IN no doubt that Congress definitely in.
tends to buy the Mall triangle just as
soon as the appropriation can be
made. : So strong was the sentiment
in Congress and so strong was the
administration support Of this prof.
ect. with Secretary Mellon himself
Gathering the proposal. that it was be-
Ing used as a vehicle to haul through
the extra $1o0, oo0, 900 for the rest OF
the country. Even so, 1t would have
RAISED il it ever could have been
called up. In fact. in the closing
crush negotiations were In progress
10 let this public building bill slip
through, as no one was willing to face
the wrath of the country through di.
rect responsibility for the blocking OF
this measure.
Meanwhile, the Treasury officials
win proceed with their negotiations
TOR the land in the triangle with every
cunfidence that the next Congress will
expedite the actual appropriation of
the money at the earliest possible date.
The separate bill authorizing
81 800, 900 for a site and erection Of a
new House once Building, which re-
CURED no Budget review, and on
which the Senate, out of courtesy
and conviction of the real need, in.
tended promptly to place its approval.
was also caught in the jam.
IN the closing deal" it was
suggested that this be added as an
amendment to. the general public
building bill carrying the $25.oOe,ooo
1pr the Mall triangle.
The national arboretuna bill author
ned another 100000, which would
have been added to the second de.
fcaency bill if that measure had
come up.
Two measures for the abolition of
grade crossings in the District-one
authorizing 1926 200 for the Michigan
avenue crossing and the other author.
izing $405, 900 for the three other grade
nctossings-were favorabiy acted upon
Ia House and Senate, but the author
ned appropriations could not be
worked through.
In the second deficiency appropria-
don bill were such items as these: For
sfx projects of new Federal buildings
in Washington, $2,275,0oo; for Guam
tico buildings, $1,s50,0oO; for Walter
Reed Hospital buildings, 1885,, 900; for
SECURING the site for the new Botanic
Garden, $4,000; for new nurses
" home for Columbia Hospital, $3.50, 900;
for continuing buildings, Camp Meade,
100000; to acquire site and erect
school: building to replace Bell School.
which must be RACED to make way for
the new Botanic Garden, s225, 000i
Hospital, $185, 900; for power plant at
F'reedmens Hospital, $50 900 for COM
fleting the Tomb OF the Unknown
Dead in Arlington Cemetery, $50, 600;
FOR restoring the Lee Mansion, SIC, 900;
for q wharf at Jamestown TO provide
access to the monument. $4,000: en-.
: lars4ng the brick plant at Occoquan,
3ls,Doa. and equipment for the new
wing OF the District Jail. $500
Other District items included funds
for payment of relief TO police and
hremen, $4,000: additional amounts
fer jury service in the various
courts, care Of feeble minded. refunds
fer taxes enormously collected. cost
Of changing street layout to relieve
congestion near the base ball park
for the Board OF Public Welfare, in.
cIndfng Jail maintenance. s4s,eso;
fer support OF the District insane
inst. .ElisAbsth's Hospital $4,000:
for payment of annuities to school
teachers. $4,000; for changes In the
District Courthouse, $500, and for
renewing elevators In Columbia Hos.
pitai, $4,000.
Il IL extremely resrettable thai
additional cost should be saddled or
the District taxpayers because Of the
failure Of the Senate TO pass these
pifls, especially the second deficienc,
Appropriation bill, after il had beer
passed BY the House and was re