Evening star., 1896-03-31
SENSATIONAL SCENE
Sharp Passage of Words Between
Messrs. Milliken and White.
The new PRINTING OFFICE Site
That Was the Cause of the Criti-
cism and Resorr.
FULL TEXT OF THE BILL

A sensational scene occurred this morn
ing in the House committee on public
buildings and grounds between Chairman
Milliken of Maine and Representative
White of Illinois, concerning the selection
of site for the government printing office.
The room was filled with array of dis
tinGuished-looking New Workers, represent
ing the produce and maritime exchanges,
who came for a hearing on the New York
custom house site. Mr.. Maple of the pro-
duce exchange was proceeding with a
speech when Chairman Milliken asked him
to suspend for moment.
Mr.. Milliken explained that when the vote
was taken the other day for the selection of
the Carroll lot for the government print
ing office it was dCne after II o'clock, and
was subject to objection. He, therefore, de-
sired vote 20 be taken now, before II
o'clock, to validate the action.
Mr.. Keifer of Minnesota interposed
with an amendment to the effect that this
government printing office bill be not re-
ported until all favorable reports on public
puiIdlngs should be presented to the House.
Would Kill the Dill.
That means killingathe bill, then" said
Mr. Milliken- He went on to explain that
the owner was about to put up a row of
houses on the Carroll lot, and would go
en- with them unless he got a definite an
swer at noon today that the committee
had chosen this lot
AT this point Mr.. White came into the
discussion He suggested that there was
that other public building bills ought 10
BE reported as well as this one
am not objecting to reporting them"
said Mr. Mihken. 1T is the Speaker of
the House of Representatives"
Mr.W hite still persisted that there should
De no hurry. This led Mr.. Miiiken to make
the remark which precipitated the scene
he SAID there had been too much foolish
ness and delay over this printing Office site
Members of the committee ought TO come
10 the front in manly way and vote one
way or the other.
MIR. Whites Protest.
Il protest against the use of the word
manly" said Mr.. White with great yieor
and evident feeling at is nc time for the
use of such language" He turned toward
Mr.. Millikel and began addressing him per-
sonaily. You have railroaded this thing
through" said he. You have no business
10 bring it in here. Since the previous vote
on this bill have received a definite offer
of the Malone lot at 10 cents"
We'll, We don't want the Malone lot"
said Mr. Miiliken. 1T has been a source of
trouble before Congress for years"
You may not want the Mahone lot" re-
joined Mr. White, 'and l don't want the
Carroll site
Mr.. White continued vigorous personal
critIS SIN on Mr.. Mlliken, SAYING that he
(White) had no thanks to give the chair
man for anything done in committee
BY this time Mr.. Milliken was also much
flushed and excited.
Il nave not asked for your thanks" said
he, and do not propose to ask them this
Congress-"
Timely Suggestion.
The sharp exchange continued until an
other member of the committee arose and
said: Il suggest that this is proper for an
executive session. and certainly should not
take place in open session.
A motion was made to go on with the
New York hearing and was carried unani-
niousiy, and MI. .Marple resumed the thread
OF his discourse, which had been inter-
rupted by this warm personal exchange
over the government printing office.
Text of the Bill.
The bill for a new government printing
Office which the House committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds has prepared is
in full follows:
j. That the Secretary of the Treasury be-
and he is hereby, empowered and directed
TO purchase for ard in the name of the
United states, for the site of the govern
ment printing office, at and for the sum
OF slJ2.tJO, exclusive of the value of any
buildings thereon, that portion of square
136. in the city of Washington, District
of Columbia, which lies south OF Hickman
street, running through said square with
all the right, title, interest and appur-
tenances thereto belonging and which said
south half is, according 70 the original
surveys in the District of Columbia, bound
ed on the west by 1St street east, Oil the
cast by ID street east, and on the south by
public square; ana on failing TO secure
such. described property by such purchase
from the party or parties having the right
anu authority 20 make title thereto, or fail
ing 10 secure such title as shall appear
upon the written statement of the Attorney
General of the United States to have been
Guy certified by one of the real estate
title insurance companies of the District
OF Columbia to be good in fee simple and
free from incuEbrance, as appears by the
records of said District, the said Secretary
OF the Treasury is hereby empowered and
directed to secure the same by condemna-
ton proceedings, as provided in the act of
Congress approved June %, 1890 to au-
thorize the acquisition of certain real es-
tate in the city of Washington for an
eligible site for a city post office Pro-
vided. however. That if under any existing
contracts any buildings or improvements
snali be erected upon said real estate be-
Icre the acquisition of tile thereto by the
United States pursuant 10 the terms Of
this act, then the same shall be cornpen-
sated ior at the fair market value thereof
as may oe agreed upon by the owner AMI
dernnation as hcreinbefore provided
See. :. That the Secretary of the Treas
ury, as soon as such site shall be acquired
shal cause the supervising architect, with
the advice of the public printer, to pre-
pare the requisite plans for government
printing establishment, fire proof through
out, which shall be fully eoua, to the
prompt and efficient performance of the
work now required by the government
such plans to be so arranged as to admit OF
progressive extensions as the growing de.
mand upon the establishment may from
time to time require.
Sec. B. That the sum of $2jOOOO appro-
prlated to provide accommodations for the
government printing office and the con-
struction Of the needed storage and distri.
button warehouses in connection Herewith
In the act making appropriations for sun
dry civil expenses of the government, ap-
proved August 80, 1890, and suspended BY
act making appropriations for sundry civil
expenses of the government for the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1852, approved Marcf
B, 1891, is hereby made available for Dur.
chasing the site and beginning the work OF
constructing said building.
Sec. f. That this act shall take efrec.
from the date of its approval.