The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-14
DELAY ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
SECRETARY CARLISLE EXPLAINS
THE CAUSE.

Construction Operations in Progress
Upon a Total Of -57 Buildings since
December. ISs0-So Increase Made
in the Force in the ONCE of the
Supervising Architect, Although
Absolutely Necessary in order 10
Keen Up With the work Before IL.
washington. Jan. 13.-Secretary Car
Usle-s communication to-day in response
10 a resolution of inquiry adopted Dec.
8 in regard 10 the delay in erecting public
buildings in Oregon covers the whole
ground as TO the delay in constructing
public buildings all over the country. The
secretary SAYS: AT the date Of converting
OF the Fifty-first congress che congress
which authorized the public building al
Portland. Ore) there were upon the books
Of this department appropriations for los
buildings all Of which were in various
stages OF construction. That same con-
gress authorized the construction OF sew
enty additional public buildings. and pro-
vided for the extension Of seven marine
hospitals at an aggregate cost Of $l2, 49,
800. The Fifty-second and Fifty-third
congresses authorized altogether the con-
struction of twelve additional public
buildings, and the completion Of five ma
rine hospitals and other structures at a
limit OF cost of S5Si3.OO0. making an ag-
gregate OF 81 buildings authorized to be
constructed and improved at a cost OF
$iS.759. $50. which, in addition to the 16
buildings above referred TO. make total
of PSI buildings upon which construction
operations have been in progress since
December. 1889. Of which number there
are at this time 25 buildings for which
no drawings have been prepared. 1t has
been the general practice of the denart-
ment TO begin work upon the various pub
lie buildings in the order of their author
ization by congress.
Notwithstanding the large number Of
public buildings authorized by congress,
no increased force of the office of the
supervising architect has been provided
for, although a specific request to the
committee on appropriations of the House
OF Representatives was made by this de-
partment on Jan. p. 1895 that the amount
allotted FOR that office for the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1896, should be increased
from $4,000 10 S250,O0O, the reason given
being that such an increase was necee-
sary IN order TO enable the department to
supply sufficient technical force to bring
the work up to date. This request how
ever was not complied with, and the
usual allowance of $4,000 was made.
since the 9th of March, 1893. this de-
partment has made every effort possible
with the limited appropriation allowed by
congress Tor the support OF the office Of
preparation Of drawings and specifica-
tions for the various buildings under its
.contrDl and TO take up the
work as rapidly as the force would
permit and TO proceed with the construc-
ton of buildings with all possible expe-
dition. The sum OF $500 600 which IS au-
thorized by congress to be used during
each fiscal year for the PREPARATION OF
designs, plans. specifications, and draw
ings for the public buildings does not ex-
ceed the amount of the usual charges of
nnnannf for.
tiop of designs, plans and specifications
and experimenting the construction of
a single public building Of the first class,
the office of the supervising architect
must be relieved from a very considerable
part OF the labor now imposed upon it.
or adequate provision must be made for
the pay of a sufficient number of skilled
employees, or that the work upon the
many public buildings must necessarily
be delayed as heretofore.
-. G.. Carlisle"