The Washington times., 1902-06-11
Provides New Building for
Department of Agri-
culture.
PLANS ALREADY PREPARED
Believed That Measure Will Pass This
Session - Necessity for New Home
Set Forth to Combine All Depart
ments Under One Roof.

In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Fair
banks. chairman of the Committee on
Public Buildings. and Grounds. presented
favorable report on the Senate bill
introduced by him appropriating $780,
900 for the erection of building for the
use and accommodation OF the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
In the last Congress an appropriation
of s., 900 was authorized for the prepara-
ton of plans for a new building to m
clude the administrative and laboratory
work of the department. The plans have
been agreed on and nothing remains now
to begin the work but to pass the Fair
banks bill making the appropriation for
the building.
Present Building Condemned.
The report made yesterday by Senator
Fairbanks is brief and to the point. He
calls attention to the urgent necessity
of Immediately providing for the build
ing as recommended by the Secretary of
Agriculture and states that the present
building has been condemned.
The report includes a letter from
Secretary Wilson. who states that the
present building is not fireproof, nor is
it modern building suited for the pur-
passes of the department.
In addition to this, the Secretary
states that the department is paying
SO, 900 in annual rentals for quarters in
which are stored valuable records that
should be under the roof of the depart
ment building proper, where they could
be Immediately available.
A measure similar to the Fairbanks
bill is now pending before the House
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds. but Chairman Mercer, of the
House Committee, will wait on the pas
cage of the Fairbanks bill in preference
to reporting the House bill. This will
probably be the last public building bill
for the District TO be acted on at this
session.
There is no question about the pas
sage OF the Fairbanks bill by the Sem
Ete.
The bill reported by Senator Fair
banks provides as follows: .. D-sol
That the Secretary of Agriculture is
authorized and directed to cause suit
able and commodious fireproof building,
for the use and accommodation OF tho
Department of Agriculture. to be erected
on such portion Of the grounds of the
of Agriculture belonging to
the United States as he may deem ex-
Dedient. the building to be constructed
hn nj
heretofore secured in pursuance OF the
provisions of the act of Congress, ap-
proved March ,. 1901, and he is author
zed after due advertisement for pro-
posals, to enter into contracts within
he limit of cost hereby fixed and sub
ect to appropriations to be made by
Congress for the erection OF the build
ng complete. including heating appara-
us, elevators. and approaches. and the
removal of .Se present building or
of the Department of Agricul-
are.
THAT the supervision of the construc-
ion of the building shall be placed in
,harge of an officer of the Government
specially qualified for the duty to be
appointed by the Secretary Of Agricul-
ure. subject 20 the approval of the
lead of the department in which such
jlhcer Is employed. VINO ST. . I've LOT
lis additional services an Sc nt -
)er centum of his preseI sy 5ucu
Increase to be paid out a appro-
,riation for the building author
zed.
THAT the limit of COS ne con-
truction of the building re- n-
luding heating appara ra,al
md approaches. and the r-- o- ire
present building or build Dz % t"- De-
,artment OF Agriculture Hti
It $500. eco, and no co 1# -
inferred into or eXpendi C
n excess of said amour