Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-22
NO NEW IOWA BUILDINGS
Hopes Of Muscatine, Ames, Des Molnes
Fort Dodge and'Mason city Go eIlm-
merIns Because of Resolution-eov-
ernment Buildings in Washington.
IBY H. ]. MAfIIN.l
Washington Bureau Of the Courier.
Washinuton. D. c., Dec. 81, 1908.

1t is stated on good authority To-Day
that there will be no appropriation lor
public buildings at this session OF con-
gress. If this proves to be the case II
means that the hopes of a number OF
Iowa cities who are looking for pV alc !
buildings for their postofiices VIII 80
glimmering for another year at least.
The Iowa cities for whom bills for
postoffices have already been present.
cd by their respective congressman
are as follows:
Des Moines !. 9I,ouo'ooo
Muscatine, ;. ISo'ooo
Webster City ;. ....... lao,ooo
hr,as 100000
There is no doubt that there is al
tendency to be economical in ap-
preparations this year. AS 1t IS the
session just preceding national elec-
tion the republican party, the party IN
the majority, will naturally be very
careful not to place itself in position
where it will be liable to a change o.
extravaganza. 1t is fact that appro-
priations in many other departments
have been ordered cut down to the
lowest point and it is said that Speaker
Cannon, who when he was on the moor,
of the house was known as the watch
dog of the treasury" has ordered that
there shall be no public building ap-
preparation bills at all.
Judge Wade. the lone democratic
I member from the second district who
is trying hard to get a postofiice for
Muscatine in accordance with his
campaign promises intimated to the
Courier representative that he under
stood matters to be in the state ex-
planned in the foregoing. Naturally he
feels rather dubious about the pros
pects Of securing the .Muscatine build
ing. And yet while it would be a good
thing for Muscatine. 1t may prove a
very good thing for Representative
Wade in that If nobody gets any build
ings he will not be SO likely to come
in for disapproval from his constitu-
ents in Muscatine for not getting them
one. 1t will be much easier to explain
the matter than if the bill went
through and buildings were passed
around generally while Muscatine got
none; as would very likely be the re-
suit if there was an appropriation since
from the records of all the annals
Z of congress and the experience OF 9th.
er men it is quite evident that Repre-.
sentative Wade, who is new con.
gressman and a minority member has
very little chance of securing an appro
priation of $150,000 for a public build
ing in his district.
However this may be one thing is
sure and that is that Iowa is indirectly
Z. getting one of the finest government
buildings in the capital city this year
That is the magnificent new structure
which is already planned and ready to
begin building for Secretary Wilson
and his department of agriculture The
building will be built at cost of 81 800,
900 and will be one of the handsomest
among the many beautiful government
buildings in Washington. The present
agricultural department is lamentably
inadequate and the new structure viii
be most welcome 1t has always beer
dream of Secretary Wilson and nc
doubt Iowa will be gratified with hin
to see his ambition realized.
Another new government building
that is greatly desired is one to house
the judiciary department, the state de
partment and the new department o
labor and commerce. A bill was offer
ed in the senate last week appropriat
ing $1,000 900 for this purpose bu
there seems little hope of getting
through this year for this same reason
that congress has been struck by
most economical streak The judiciar.
department is now quartered in yer,
shabby structure mp in the residenc
portion of town and Is very mucl
cramped for room. The state depart
ment is fairly well fixed in the arm
and navy building but there it is usin
UP considerable room that is badl
needed by the army and navy depart
ments and it is generally recognize
besides that the state department
should have quarters of it's own. TIL
department CT commerce and labor
well fixed in fine new office buildin
which has just been erected and wa
rented as whole by the governmer
for this department The question {
rent is one that is offered in supper
of the new structure. The governmer
is paying mere than 100000 yea
rent in WASHINGTON winch is the inte
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