Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-04
COST OF UNION BUILDING
Opposition in the Senate to Is Pur-
chase.
Claimed That the Price Asked of the
1t II Worth.

A lively debate occurred in the Senate
this afternoon on the proposition that the
government purchase the Union building,
on street between 9Th and It'll streets, for
$650,0O0. At 2:30 o'clock the Senate took
up the sundry civil appropriation bill, and
Mr.. Gallinger asked that the committee
amendment for the purchase of the Union
building be disposed of at once, it having
been passed over when the bill Wa, last
before the Senate, in order that M. QUAY
might furnish some further information on
the subject.
Mr.. Quay read statement to show that
the property is assessed at $113, 000 and
read the assessment of q number OF other
pieces of property to show that this assess
ment was no proof that the building was
not worth $650,OO0
Mr.. Gallinger then made very animated
speech against the amendment.
He said that since the bill was last before
the Senate he had received two letters from
distinguished citizen of the District inter-
esteC in having the government purchase
this building, and in one of these letters he
was told that 1t cost $650,O0o ard in the
other $685. 600 He said he proposed to show
that 1t did not cost either of these sums or
anywhere near them.
He said he had seen a gentleman who
owned a large interest in this building
some time ago, and was told by him that
1t was formed into a stock concern, and
of which was purchased by the present
owners at par and some below par.
He said that the building could be con-
structed today for SIS. 900 less than 1t cost
in 1891, on account of the lower price -of
steel and iron work. In his judgment $780,
600 would be a big price for the Union
building.
It's Estimated Cost.
Mr.. Gallinger further said that he had
had competent builder estimate the cost
of this building and the ground on which
1t Is located. and the evidence bore out his
own conclusions. He said that the govern
ment requires forty-foot space around all
the public buildings it directs throughout
the country, while this building has no
such space
He said that II the Senate should adopt
that resolution it would have a hoard Of
real estate owners and agents coming to
Congress to have their properties pur-
chased by the government. and he wanted
to serve notice en- all such people that
the government would not purchase real
estate In this city unless 1t actually needed
the property and unless it was secured at
fair rate.
Regarded as Exorbitnnt.
Senator Elkins also opposed the amend
ment, and said he thought the price was
exorbitant, and even If the building had
cost the amount at which 1t was valued, it
could be built today for 40 per cent less on
account of the lower prices prevailing.
MIR. Gallinger, referring to the Globe
building, an amendment for the purchase
of which was defeated in the Senate last
week. sail that two or three months ago
that building was offered at private sale
for $4,000, although 1t had been offered to
the government in this appropriation bill
for s45.OuO.
Mr.. Quay said that he wished to offer an
amendment to the amendment which would
authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to
purchase the building under condemnation
proceedings. If, in his opinion, that build
irg was needed by the government He
asked that the amendment be passed over
a short time In order that he might formu-
late his amendment.
Mr.. Gallinger SAID that he would oppose
the amendment even in that form, because
he had had some experience with having
the government purchase property under
condemnation proceedings and said he did
not think the government needed the prop
erty anyway.
The amendment for the purchase of the
Union building was defeated by a vote of
Is to 49,