Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-18
Indignation in Congress at the Delay
in Its Construction.
STRONG EXPRESSIONS ON THE SUBJECT
Senators and Representatives Talk
Freely About 1t.
LOSS TO THE GOVERNIENT

since Tie puDIlCatfon In The Star or the
interview with Chairman Sayers of the
House appropriation committee in which
he stated that the government is losing
100000 year by the delay in the con-
struction of the Washington post Office,
members of the House have evinced great
deal of interest in the new post office build
ing. The fact that not only the interests
of the Post Office Department are at stake
in the matter. but the further fact that the
government is losing hard cash every day,
has aroused the members to a quicker and
a keener realization of the situation. On
every side there are expressions of surprise
and Indignation at the way in which the
government is being treated, as members
become aware of the condition of affairs.
Because there has been no outspoken opin-
ion before is probably due to the fact that
members have not paid any attention 10
the details of the case, being occupied with
other matters. Chairman Sayers' state
ment has opened their eyes and they see
things in their natural light.
why, the delay is perfectly outrageous,
said Congressman Apsley or Massao husctts
MI ApSley is a manufacturer and business
man, and he is inclined to look at every
thing from a business standpoint. Il think
it is about time tnat practical business
principles were put into operation. Sucn a
state of affairs as exists in connection with
the construction of this bulldog would rot
be tolerated a moment by any corporation.
1 think Congress should take some action.
MI Johnson of Indiana said he had not
locked into the details of the contract I'M
der which this particular work is proceed
ing, but that he thinks 1t Is wise thing,
as n general provision, to proceed with the
completion of public works as rapidly as
possible. 1t often happens that the work
suffers damage by reason of the delays in
construction.
Mr.. O'Neil Of Massachusetts, who is a
member of the appropriation committee,
o,,I In, Nc n6in nfa a1 no al
upon to keep an eye upon the appropria-
tons for this building, said he thought the
work is proceeding very slowly indeed.
The Indignation in Congress at the delay
I'm the building is by no means confined
to the House of Representatives. Indeed.
if anything II is stronger In the Senate. and
expressions of disapproval and severe crit
icism are to be heard on all sides. 1t Is
even probable that If the House had not
taken the initiative in the way of letter
from Chairman Sayars to Secretary Car
Isle resolution of inquiry would now have
been introduced in the Senate. AS 1T is,
such a resolution may yet be Forthcoming.
AtrociOusly Slow, Says MIR. Mcmillan.
II do not understand" said Senator Nc
MILAN today, why it g that the work on
public buildings is SO atrociously slow.
Wherever I go 1 hear complaints about
the government system OF erecting these
structures, and almost every city in the
country has had a distressing experience
in the erection of a public building. In
Chicago. Detroit and other large cities
years have been wasted by dilatory meth
ods in the construction of government edi-
fees and 1t is time that we should find
out why this is so inevitable. 1 will guar
antee that any private corporation desir-
ing to erect a building such as the WASH
ington post office would have 1t COM
pleted within two years. L understand
from The Star that this building has been
under way for nearly three years already,
and nobody knows when 1t viii be COM
pleted. There is now In course OF con-
struction in Detroit the Union Trust Com
pany building, which is very high and
covers a large space of ground. 1t is quite
similar In construction to the post Office
here and yet it will be finished in one year
from the day the foundation was begun.
There is no reason, to my mind, why the
government should be so slow in it's build
ing operations. Let us find out now, If we
can, why such work is so wretchediy
Slow
Congress Should Look Into the Delay.
This matter" said Senator Faulkner,
has now reached the point where the
committees of Congress having such ques-
ticns in charge should make diligent in
quiry into the causes of the delay on the
Washington post office and all other public
buildings throughout the country. 1 un-
derstand that the government is paying
enormous annual rentals for buildings that
will be vacated when the post Office shall
be completed 1t is an outrage on the
community, irrespective of such conSid-
Grafton. This performance in Washington
is a burlesque, travesty on pubnc Dusl-
ness. / do not know what are the terms
of the present contract but If there Is any
power whatever in Congress to secure the
speedy completion of the building it should
be invoked at once. Or. indeed 1t should
have been invoked months ago. L hope
that no stone will be left unturned to bring
about q reform in this direction
How to Remedy the Defect.
II have noted with more than usual in
terest," said Senator Gallinger, "the dis
closures of The Star with reference to the
delay in the construction of the city post
Office building. 1t has been apparent to
everybody for months that there is some
thing wrong somewhere, or such an afro
cicus farce could not be enacted. The ques-
ton, of course, is how to remedy the de-
feet, how to insure more speedy con-
struction. SO as to bring about reform in
the building department OF the govern
ment. From all l can learn L judge that
the delay on this building and on the pub
lie buildings generally throughout the
country Is caused by faulty system in
the office of the supervising architect.
There seems to be absolutely no means of
compelling contractors to carry out their
policies and obligations no adequate rem
edy in the hands of the government and
of Congress to correct just such an evil as
this case presents
"An atrociously small percentage of the
penalties that are supposed to be imposed
upon contractors for non-completion with
in time limit is ever collected. Influences,
both political and personal, are brought to
bear upon the authorities of the Treasury
Department to remit these penalties, and
contractors, knowing full well that there
is this loophole for their escape, do not
hasten their work and do not take any
pains with government contracts 1t is
well known fact that such contractors who
have both public and private jobs under
way at the same time is often the case,
deliberately neglect government work In
order to be more faithful to their private
engagements, knowing that they safe
in the hands of the supervising architect,
while they cannot afford to lose prestige in
the general market The whole system is
bad from the bottom upward. 1t should be
thoroughly investigated and reformed in
every branch. Until then such disgraceful
spectacles as We are witnessing in Wash
ington will be inevitable.
The Work Should he Expedited.
1.-THE interests of the public said Glib
son, "as we'll as of the government and the
city and of property owners of Washington
demand that this work of constructing the
city post Office building should be hurried
to a completion. What is worth starting at