Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
THE MALONE SITE
The Condition Confronting a New
Government Printing Office.
CHAIRMAN BANKHEAD'S EXPLANATION
Opposition to the Measure Shown
in the House.
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL

In the House this afternoon Mr. Bank
head called up the bill for the acquisition
OF the Malone site and the erection there
on Of government printing office.
The property is described in the bill as
follows:
Beginning at the northeast intersection
of North Capitol and L streets, thence
north along the eastern boundary of North
Capitol street for 1903 feet, thence east in q
line practically parallel with the northern
boundary of L street to the western bound
ary of 1st street northeast, thence south
ward along the western boundary Of said
street for 303 feet to the intersection OF
such boundary with the north boundary
of l. street, and thence west along the
boundary OF L street to the point Of begin
ming. including on the north boundary of
such described area thirty feet in width
for one-half CT Pierce street, to be extend
ed through the square.
No Price for the Site Fixed.
The bill authorizes the acquisition Of the
property by pure hase or condemnation, but
oces not fix the price to be paid for 1t.
Neither does the bill fix the lir1it Of cost
of the building merely stipulating that the
building shall be fully equal to the prompt
and efficient performance of the present de-
mands and capable Of enlargement in the
future.
One section of the bill provides as fol-
lows: That before any steps are taken
toward the construction Of such plant the
officer in charge of the construction Of the
building for the library of Congress shall
obtain one or more designs for such plant.
comprising elevators, floor plans, sections.
methods of communication and every de-
tail, and the aggregate cost thereof, which.
when approved by the public printer and
the chairman Of the committee on print
ing of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives. or majority of them, includ-
ing the officer in charge of the construcL
ton of the building for the library of Con-
gress, shall be adopted as the plan or plans
on which such plant shall be constructed.
and the estimated cost thereof SO ascer-
tanned shall be taken as the probable cost
of the same"
The construction of the building is to be
under the direction of Gen. Casey.
Chairman BanIShead's Explanation.
Chairman Bankhead took the floor when
the bill had been read and explained the
efforts which have been made by the Sem
ate and House committees to pass print
1--WE were informed" said Mr.. Bankhead
that. in the opinion of the members Of
the Senate committee. 1t would be impossi-
BILE to pass any other bill than the Malone
BILL" He said he had no preference for
site further than to get good one:
A Substitute offered.
, Mr.. Bankhead then offered a substitute
for the pending bill. 1t provides that the
Secretary Of the Treasury, Gen. Casey, and
the architect of the Capitol shall select
some available site, containing not less
than liz, 600 square feet and to cost not
more than $500 600 The government print
ing Office shall be erected on the site thus
sele cted or condemned and shall be a six
story building. The bill was read for in
formation, and Mr.. Bankhead explained
the BILL
He said he is sat attsfied that No hill can ba
passed through this Congress, or any other
Congress, selecting any particular site. and
the only way to do is to authorize COM
mission to agree upon the location of the
building.
The efforts of real estate rings and OF
Representatives themselves would prevent
any other course, he said. than the one he
proposed.
He said the substitute would enable the
acquisition of a lot and the commencement
of the foundation, but the final adoption
of the plans and the limit of cost of the
building would be left to Congress to settle
at a future date.
Mr.. Cannon said Congress should not
shirk the responsibility for the selection of
a site. Mr.. Bankhead said 1t is not a ques-
ton of shirking, but whether action can be
obtained or not.
Mr.. Berry of Kentucky urged the House
to accept the Malone site as settlement
of the difficulty.
Opposed, to the Malone Site.
Mr.. Milliken of Maine announced himself
as squarely opposed to the Malone site.
He would be glad to do Gen. Malone q
favor, but the drawbacks of the proposed
site are too many. He said the members
of the House have been beset by the most
earnest and active. he would not say the
most corrupt, lobby that has been seen for
years in behalf Of the Malone bill. Men,
bers confess that they are not altogether
pleased with the Malone site but propose
to vote for 1t to please somebody who
asked them and who is a good fellow"
Mr.. Millihen said there are many other
cheaper and more available properties than
the Malone site.
You are called upon to vote for a lot
that is not fit and proper" said Mr.. MILL
ken: that costs twice too much and is too
pc personally interested have the power to
beat the Senate into the position Of saying
that it must be the Malone site or moth
ing"
Safer Quarters Needed at Once.
Mr.. Morse Of Massachusetts, read from
the report of the government printer. call
ing attention to the necessity Of doing
something Immediately in the way of pro-
viding safer quarters. Mr.. Morse acknowl-
one, but the only feasible thing TO do.
Mr.. Milliken said that Mr.. Morse had
been opposed to the Malone site, but 10
now in favor of 1t because Mr. Morse's own
bill for the Massachusetts, building is being
held up by the Senate with other bills until
the Malone site is accepted by the House.
Mr.. Abbott of Texas opposed the Malone
site; He had, signed the minority report
this lot. He opposed the substitute bill
also. and favored the use of a square be-
tween and and Delaware avenue and
North Capitol street.
Mineral Surveyors.
oF thn inf In