The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-06-01
DISREGARD OF
PLAIN STATUTE
SHOWN IN CONSTRUCTION OF
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING.
WILSON is RESPONSIBLE.
Appropriation is Exhausted and the
Structure Unfinished.

WASHINGTON May 30.-What
members of the House Comittee on
Appropriations regarded as an abso-
lutte disregard of the law authorizing
the construction of a new building
for the Department of Agriculture
prevailed in the hearing on the sundry
civil appropriation bill. In 1903 Con.
gress appropriated $1,50O,OO0 for this
building. 1t was the general under
standing that this amendment was
for the erection of a complete build
ing for the accommodation of the en-
tire department 1t was with some
establishment that the members
learned last week that somebody" has
ordered the construction of two wings
of what may be some day completed
building, and that the two wings have
practically exhausted the million and
half dollars. Moreover, their as
constituent was not lessened when
they were informed that the two wings
when completed will not be able to
accommodate the department, and
that Congress will be called upon to
appropriate another couple of million
to fill the space between them.
Considerable irritation was devel-
oped during the hearing and Secre-
tary Wilson and officials of the Ag-
ricultural Department were question
ed concerning what is said to be
direct violation of law.
F. S. Gardner, mechanical engineer
of the department, was asked if he
knew the limit of cost of the entire
building, and replied that he did
that it was S1,50O00O
You are constructing a building
with two Wings" asked Chairman
Tawney.
Yes, sir" replied Mr.. Gardner.
Does your plan contemplate cen
trail administration building?" inqlir-
ed the Chairman
'Ts that also in the contract"
"That has not been appropriated
for No, sir" replied Mr. Gardner.
Ignoring the Law.
Mr.. Gardner, continuing his state.
ment, said in reply to further ques-
tions by Mr.. Tawney, that the central
administration building was not in
cluded in the limit of COST that it
was not even contemplated as yet,
and that it would have to be appro-
priated for at some future tine.
But" asked Mr.. Tawney, does not
the act under which this building is
being erected require a complete ag.
ricultural building to serve the re-
quirements of all the different
branches of the department and III
which al the work of the department
is to be carried on?'
well" replied Mr. Gardner, "if the
act contemplated that, it is absolute
ly impossible, from my knowledge of
the requirements of the department"
$50, in order to rear an Agricultural
building that will actually accommo-
date the department, Congress will
have to appropriate a larger sum to
carry out the general plan on which
the two present buildings have beeA
based?"
THAT is the idea exactly" said Mr..
Gardner
It developed further from Mr.. Gard
ner's testimony that the administra-
tive work of the department would
continue to be carried on in the pres
ent buildings, although Congress pro-
vided that it shall be torn down. Fur
Their than that, Mr. Gardner said that
the two wings in question were being
constructed "for laboratory purpo
ses"
Wilson Responsible.
do you know" asked Mr.. Tawney,
"who is responsible for the plans of
the building that is now being erect
ed that was authorized, accepted and
approved"
"The Secretary of Agriculture" re-
piled Mr.. Gardner.
Mr.. Tawney read the authorization
for the building, remarking that there
was no question that it was to accom-
modate the entire needs Of the de-