Evening star., 1934-06-06
Success of the Loan Bill.

the bill permitting the District
10 borrow from the Public Works
Administration brings the measure a
step nearer completion, practically as
suring the success of this attempt to
secure necessary and long-deferred
public improvements in Washington.
That is highly satisfactory in itself.
There is no need to dwell here again
on the benefits to result from ridding
the Potomac of the disgraceful sew
age pollution which has made the
river unfit for bathing, which was
rapidly approaching condition that
would create a menace to the health
OF the community. The new hospital
facilities and the Improvements at
Lorton, also to be gained through this
measure, have been urgently needed
for many years.
But almost as gratifying to the
community as the provision OF a
u1eIIlOo " SCCu1C I1lCSC LlCCAON
provements was the attitude Of the
House, manifested by its leaders who
fought the bill through TO passage.
The District of Columbia really had
its day in court. The usual amount
of misinformation and unfair, er-
roneous differences appeared in de-
bate. But erroneous statements were
corrected by spokesmen for the meas
ure and the local community was de-
Tended against unfair attack. The
members who guided this measure
through to passage yesterday-includ-
ing Representatives Smith of Virginia,
O'Connor of New York, Bankhead of
Alabama, Cochran of Missouri. Dirk
sen of Illinois, Greenwood of Indiana,
Palmisano of Maryland, Harlan Of
Ohio, Black of New York, Randolph
of West Virginia, Kahn of California,
Bacon of New York and House Leader
Byrns-were acting In the capacity
not only of members Of the National
Congress, but as representatives of the
otherwise unrepresented local COM
munity. Their efforts are appreciated,
as well as their fairness and their
knowledge Of some of the conditions
in the District not always accurately
presented to their colleagues.
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee has said that he will
move to bring the measure to confer
ence between House and Senate
There is an approximate difference OF
$9,000,000 between the House and Sen
ate bills, in their authorization to
borrow from the P. w. A.
Stricken from the House bill, to
secure approval of the Rules Commit
tee, were the S5,ooo,ooo item for the
courts building in the Municipal Gen.
ter and 1900, 900 for school construc-
ton. The amount originally set aside
for the tuberculosis Hospital was re-
duced some half million dollars be-
cause the District appropriation bill
now law, provided this amount fol
completing the Children's Sanitarium
and for preparing plans for the adult
hospital. The District bill, likewise
crowded nearly 100000 for school
construction and purchase Of land
thus reducing the original need for
schools as set forth in the Senate
loan bill. The 100000 park loan
was eliminated.
There is great need for school con-
struction, even above the amount pro-
yided in the District bill, and there
should be a start on the courts build
ing of the Municipal Center to replace
the present inadequate, diSgraceful
housing now provided for the lower
courts. In conference some Of these
matters may be taken care Of. But
as a whole the House bill, as passed, /.
reasonable and fair, with the excep.
ton of the unnecessary provision ear
marking portion Of local taxes fol
refunding the loan. The loan would
of course. be refunded through the
already definite provisions Of the bill
setting aside portion of local reve'
nues each year. In effect the pro.
vision earmarking local tax money tt
refund the bill denies the United
States obligation to participate in The
undertakings provided in the bill
While the injustice of this provision
is in some degree lessened by the fact
that thirty per cent Of the loan will
be a grant, an eventually hurtful
principle in appropriations for the
District is established as a precedent