Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-01
SUPERVISING ARCHITECT OF THE
TREASURY.

Mr.. Mullett, in his annual report, makes the
following recommendations
PROPOSED REBUILDING THE EAST FRONT OF
THB TREASURY.
i desire to call attention to the fact that the
continued growth in the business of the Treas
ury Department renders 1t iDdispensably neces
sary that action be taken in regard TO the re-
binding OF the east front OF the Treasury build
ing. The Statiscal Bureau has been removed
fIcm the building since the date Of my last re-
port, but the space SO obtained has been alb
sorted without providing any material relief,
ana the removal of some Of the larger and more
important bureaus cannot be long delayed. 1t
may seem an exaggeration, but it is neyerthe-
less TACT, that the Treasury building has not
more tnan hdif the capacity that Is required to
accommodate, in proper manner, all OF its
different bureaus. OF these, however, the Sec
ohd and Sixth Auditors and the Coast Survey
are well provided for in other buildings, and
need not, at this time, be considered. The
rebuilding or the east and center wings
would add very materially to the size
OF the building, increasing the accom-
mCdations In that portion about one-third.
1t may be added that a decision OF this question,
whether faYorOble or adverse, should DO made
at The earliest possible moment, inasmuch as it
seriously AFFECTS the interests Of large number
OF property owners who are naturally unwilling
to improve their property until a decision is
made, as it necessarily involves a change in the
line of 18th street, between PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nues, AS !. have heretofore explained. I would
also recommend that authority be obtained for
the erection OF building for the accOmmOda-
uon OF the Note Printing Bureau and the re-
cores OF the Department, plans and estimates
Tor which were submitted at the last session of
Congress. Should this be authorized IL would
PROVIDE, in addition TO the improvements here
tOfore indicated, sufficient space for all the
legitimate wants of the department for many
" ars to come, and Is, in my opinion. an i'm
provement second in Importance to none now
uLder CONSIDERATION by the Department.
THH EI9HT HOUR LAW.
desire once more to call attention 70 the
elght-hoor law, believing it 70 be alike injurious
70 the best interests Of the Government and to
tie workmen themselves. II frequently hap
pons that the mechanics and laborers employed
by the Government and those employed by
contractors are required to work on the same
bundlng, and at the same time. Those en-
PlOyed by the Government work but eight
hours, while those employed by the contractors
work ten hours per diem. This causes much
feehng, and Il needs no argument to prove that
II Is unjust, and that the mechanic who per-
forms ten hours work Is taxed for the benefit of
the move favored workman who has friends and
inhuenee sufficient to obtain employment for
him on Government work. 1t Is also in direct
violation of the principles OF civil service re-
form, inasmuch as it converts the employment
OF mechanics and iabOrers from business q ues-
uon or competency and industry TO a question of
political patronage and personal influence.
90 not hesitate TO say that 1t has cost the Gov
eminent millions OF dollars, without benefting
the mechanic or laborer in the slightest degree,
or, as lar as l am advised, any other persons
man peramhulatiDg and paid agitatOrs, or the
cain, agents who have instigsted litigstions
been fairly and fully tested; the experience of
thls Department as well as of private estab-
Iishments, has shown that it is not only impos-
slbie Tor man to perform as much labor as in
ten, but thar he absolutely performs less work
per hour under the eight-hour system. 1t is
matter OF neither interest nor importance to me
whether mechanics and laborers perform eight
or ten hours work, provided the hours of labor
are the same on public as on private works. 1t
Il, however, impossible TO conduct work In
proper manner under a system that increases
the compensation of mechanics and laborsrs
employed by the Government 20 per cent. above
market rates, and thus makes them a IA
yored class, without, as 1 have previous
~ shswD, obtaining any advantage therefrom.
would therefore recommend that such modif-
cation of the law be obtained as will entltle all
persons employed by the Government to the
highest market-rates for their labor and the
bene nt OF all local rules and regulations in re
gard to the hours Of labor, or otherwise. II this
rule II, however, to be the permanent policy of
the Government, and its mechanics and labor
ers are to be compensated at the rate of 20 per
cent. above the highest market rates, see no
reason Why officers, clerks, and other employees
OF the Government should not be paid by the
same rule. Under the present system gentle
men Of education who occupy positions Of trust