Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-22
Senate Prefers 1t for the Government
Printing Office.
THE COMMITTEE REPORT OUfVOTED
Senator Manderson Speaks for the
Old Base Ball Grounds.
A RECONSIDERATION MOVED

oauchs ioT the government printing office.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
an amendment presented by Mr. Carey
when the bill last under discussion, in
behalf Of Senator Quay. providing for the
purchase Of the Malone lot at North Capt.
tOl and L streets In response 10 a aues-
ton from Senator pOlph Mr.. Vest stated
that this amendment does not contain pro-
vision for the construction of building
lnder the supervision of Cen. Casey. 1t
Bimply provides ne went on, ''fcr the
purchase of a site and is the same hill that
was reported by me at a former session
pf Congress II it gives the Senate any
pleasure to revert to my support of this
bill L am not afraid To have my record
reviewed at this time. L have given my
reasons for advocating the present site.
Terrible Warming.
I'VE have been warned by terrible
disaster in an Inadequate building that a
similar disaster is apt to happen at any
time at the public printing Office. 1t is
essence of this matter that we should
settle the question sOCn as possible
The Senator from Wyoming has told US
that a building sufficient to accommodate
the public printing office could be erected
In eleven months"
Il say now that this would be simply i'm
possible unless we possessed an Aladln'S
lamp The city post office was begun in
June, $50, and is now scarcely to the sec
ond story The library building was begun
five years ago, and, though under the mag
nifcent supervision of ! N. Casey, it is sttl
far from completed today. In the line of
experience il is almost certain that build
ing on either the Carroll or Malone sites
would take from three to five years TO erect.
II this Were a private undertaking il would,
Of course, be different, but under tie gov
ernments system of contracts il requires
from three TO five lines as much time for
these buildings. II Senators want to take
the responsibility in the face Of recorlmen-
cations Of the public printer of keeping
b.UO employees in 1anSer let them do il. /
have done my duty honestly. and am salts
ned that have done l. TO the best interests
Of the goyernment and the people at the
printing office.
For the Malone Site
Senator Stewart made wha: was for him
short speech in favor os th. Malone lot
saying that he was as much impressed as
anybody with the necessity for speedy ac-
ton He pointed out that the ground at the
present site IS CO yered with buildings and
that ii would take time before work could
pe commenced on new building, while the
Malone lot is free from distractions The
foundation could be easily made there and
building could be well lunder way before
the debris was removed from the present
site
Senator Butler interrupted to ask if the
work of the public printing could go on at
the old building as well il the adjoining
land We're chosen as If TIE Malone site were
taken for the government. Mr.. Stewart
N f1V
OF the Malone site
Senator Vest, in response to Mr. Butler
called attention to the letter written by
Public Printer Palmer to Senator German,
chairman OF the committee on printing on
the 11th Of August. last year, in which this
question was fully discussed. Mr.. Vest ask
ed how long il would take TO put up a build
ing on the Malone lot. Senator Stewart
replied that it could be done more expedi-
tiously on the Malone lot than anywhere
else
Senator Vest. in continuing his talk. allud-
ed to the fact that many of the employees
had homes around the present building and
they would be put to great Inconvenience
by change of the site any distance away.
He characterized the committees PROPOSE
ton as having three advantages: The ex-
penditure is inconsiderable the relief i'm
mediate and all the water and gas mains
are already available.
The House Opposed.
There was some colloquy between Sena-
tors Butler and Vest in regard to the
amount of land required for the building
and the latter contended that the proposed
site contained amply sufficient ground for
the purpose. He continued: Il want to say
now that it is simply impossible to secure
the consent of the House TO an amendment
In favor of the Malone lot. The joint COM
mittee have deliberated upon the matter
and give in their Judgment. The Malone lot
was fully discussed and even visited by the
Joint committee. 1t was with very great
Il
Mr.. Butler objected that the plan con-
templated q patchwork, but Mr.. Vest de-
MED this, and referred to his report on the
subject, showing that the proposed new
structure is to be part of harmonious
plan, the remainder of which will be erected
later.
Mr. MandersOn Talks Plainly.
Senator Manderson then made the most
Interesting speech of the afternoon.
Vi bta uafI
has my congratulations. and also my
Sympathy, for he knows now how 1t is him
self For the last ten years the danger to
the occupants of the government printing
efice has been very great. The printing
Committee has visited the building fire.
QuentIy have realized the danger, and from
time to time has put the building in the
best possible shape 1t has been prOpped
up, strengthened, SO that the great weight
might be carried a little longer. But these
have been temporary makeshifts, and that
building is more dangerous building to-
day than even the FOrd's Theater building
was after the excavations under Its founda-
lions had begun. The committee on print
ing has always recognized the danger.
The public printer has always recognized
the danger. and has frequently cried aloud
for relief No better action has ever been
taken than by the commission appointed
s'rne Years ago, consisting OF Pubic PRINT
er Palmer, Secretary Window AMI Archf-
tect ClIrk. These gentlemen reported
unanimously in favor of what Is known as
The base ball site, which stands today
vacant, ready for use, and the best TO be
had at this moment. 1t would have been
Selected but for tHis indecent, almost dis
Reputable. fight that has been precipitated
nto the two houses Of Congress by real es
Ilte SPECTATORS. eager to make money out
OF the government. The base ball lot is
q very suitable ground Of proper form,
ample area. near the Capitol AMI adjacent
70 the Baltimore and Ohio tracks.
Foundation Prophesies.
IN the hope that some other site might
pe selected than this there came forward
those who complained that great care
should be exercised in securing founda-
Gon on the base ball ground. They spoke
ebout Ilber creek and made various mel
ehcholy prophesieS, 50 that at last a
Elttee was appointed. consisting OF MIR.
EitElSie OF the District offices, Architect
Siark, Mr. Green of the library building
eni Gen. Meiss They dug pits and ex-
t1nlhed the soil carefully and after a thor
o-sSh examination they declared that the
~ of the base hall lot was quite sufficient
70 IuFhish an adequate foundation There
VI" no t~c sides 10 the question and vet
'Ar'.s7 refused 20 ratify the report of
- atie commission. that had SO faith
i,iiE O. ne It's duty. At the rroDer time I
sAa4I propose an amendment for the base
Sontinusd on Second Pase)