Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-20
Ths Situation Regarding Tho Additions 10 Os'
t.. Post Office BUILDING. r

There has been continual inquiry in
this city concerning the probability Of
the passing Of "A bill giving an addition
to tie Augusta postonicc building, and
il was with considerable regret that
our readers saw the Washington lis
patch in there columns yesterday an
lie building bills being passed at this
ecsglon SO far as Is known there is no
opposition 10 the measure. and it is
considcr.d one Of the most meritoriou3
bills for public buildings before the
committee. It will undoubtedly be
reported with the unanimous wish Of
the committee for its pafsage by
Congress.
Tho only thing that is holding it
lack at the present time is that the
pressure Of business on Congress is 50
great that it is Impossible to obtain
date to consider public buildings. 1t
will be understood by our readers that
in Congress bills cannot be taken up
fo- an hour or 50, as in our LcglGla-
turc. but one or more days are set
on certain subjects. or upon some
designated bill. 1t is thought that If n
publjc building day were 10 be set
aside by Congress. that the Augusta
bin IL in position to 20 through al
once. The New York Herald, which
* very much interested in tho New
York pcstofyice bill, Saturday had d
special dispatch from Washington
which deals with that particular bill
III. shows IN 1t exactly how an the
public buildings bills arc TOW held.
There Is M prospect Of the passage
Of the New York postonice bill during
this r.ssion OF Congress. Speaker
Henderson and Representatives Da!leil
ANA Grn4venor. VINO constitute the
ma joiiy " the committee on rules,
stand In the way.
30 measure except a general APP
preparation rnI or otter privileged mat
ter can be taken up in the House Of
Representative without the approval
or these three men. They have de-
reed that no public building bills shall
b.. IS the House and they have Kept
out meritorious measures. Ike the New
York postofIice. along with bad ones.
Representative Mercer has tried in
vain Ia obtain promise from the
Srcaker that a few of the most neces-
sary public building bills may be con-
sidercd. Mr.. Mercer had the New York
bill at the head OF his list. and would
report 1t and put it through if the
Speaker would consent. The com
mittee has reported an omnibus bill in
crcasinE the limit OF cost on thirty-tWo
buildings already authorized. Many
Of these have been commenced. but
cannot BE- completed because Of the in
crease in the cost Of materials. The
Speaker will not allow this bill to be
considered. and work on many Of the
| buildings will have to be stopped.
! Representative Cummings Of New
| York. who introduced the New York
poetofice bill said today he was en-
tirely satisfied with all that Mr. MeT-
oer had done Mr.. Mercer was ready
/ to push the bill at any opportunity.
! hut the committee On rules would not
give him the chance.
Nj. Mercer said any statement that
he had held up the New York bill was
| based on INSTRUMENTATION. Il fully APP
| prrciate," said he. the Importance of
additional postal facilities at ..eW
York. but the authorities of the House
! have not allowed any public building
/ bills to be considered.
! The citizens of Augusta may be Ger
tain that if the Augusta bill fails of
passage in the present session that il is
certain to so through without trouble
in the next session, or at the earliest
day the subject comes before Congress.
Thu ui0hoet CoI,r{ Al All