The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-03
MR, CANNON'S IDEAS
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DISCUSSES
 PROPOsED LEGISLATION.
Encourages Members to Believe that Before the Close of the Session
 There VIII Be q Public
 Building Biii.
ByAifred ;. stofer.

~ --H-- '-s
 ByAlfred J. stefer.
 Y Washington. Feb. g.-lSpeciaI)-- Speaker Cannon encourages members Of the House In the belief that before the session draws to close there will he a public building passed. A mouth ago the presiding officer stated in most vigorous language that the condition of the Government revenues would not permit any expenditures of this char acter. He now says that the experts at the Treasury are making careful examination of the books and the uses for the money in hand and to be coll lected during the coming fiscal year. and the chances are that shortly a statement will be in the hands of the House Appropriations committee that will show that it is safe for Congress to put through moderate public build ing bill The Speaker just now will not venture ar opinion as to how many millions the measure ought to carry. From his conversation, however, 1t Is inferred that his idea is that about sl5,00o,000 would not be too much to spend for new Government structures and the extension and repair of. others that are reported to be absolutely nec- essary
 My position said MT. Cannon. in speaking of the matter, lis not always clearly understood in regard tc the erection of Government bui,dings.s It Is generally supposed that I am. on principle, opposed tc these approprla- tions. am not, if the necessary money is available. I do not, however, believe in voting millions for public buI.dings when the Government is short of money and Is hard-pressed to preserve tle necessary working balance. My uI1- derstanding Is that we can probably have a moderate bill this session. Wherever It is possible, I like to sec the flag floating over a postoffice, court building or custom house owned ny Uncle Sam and not by private parties. But we cannot afford to reeklessiy spend money if there Is danger of tho treasury running short of funds. We will soon know how the books stand, and my information Is that in view of this fact the committees of the two branches of Congress are working to provide. for the erection within the next three years of q number of public build ings that are admitted to be badly needed. In some of the cities am told that there is bad state of affairs for the public business. This Is notably true at Toledo and Columbus m Ohio and number of other places that 1 oo not just now recall"
 The Speaker was reminded that the Baltimore postoffice was reported to be very much cramped and that Represen- tative Wachter had introduced a bill to erect an addition to cost S150.000 on adjoining lands now owned by the Gov ernment. He said that he heard this was true. and if so he saw no reason why Baltimore should not come in Tor relief. especially as the amount was not extravagant.
 During tho conversation the Speaker was sounded on the question of ap- for exposfttons. He was reminded that Omaha and St. Louis were greatly benefited by the big shows that were held in those cities. more so. perhaps than have bbeen held. MT. Cannon said he had heard so. This being good op- portunity to say word or two for the Jamestown exposition Mir. Cannon vas asked if he did not think the ad- ditional aid proposed Tor Jamestown might result In the building of great city at or near the spot where the first English settlement was planted on this contenent.
 The Speaker was too cautious to commit himself on the Jamestown before he sees what the house expositions committee will recommend, but he volunteered the statement that the Jamestown expost- tion would prove one of the most unique and interesting ever under taken in the United, States. even if tt would not be on such a grand scale as the big shows at Chicago and St. Louis. MT Cannon also predicted that between fifty and a hundred years from now the portion of Virginia in which Norfolk and Newport News are located would be one of the great 4Ar1 af rInf ftnV, Al. most prosperous and interesting sec tions In this country. His opinion is that 1t will be due to the wonderful Hampton Roads and other harbors down that way which nave had little pr no government aid to maintain depth of water that can float the largest ships ever built;