The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-31
SECRETARY WILSON
TOOK BIT IN TEETH
Case of Absolute Disregard of
Law Found
MITTEEMEN IRRITATED
$1,5oo,ooo Appropriated for AgricuI.
turaI Building and 100000 VIII
Be Required to Complete
the Structure.
MMITTEEMEN IRRITATED

Washington May S0.-What members of
| the house committee on appropriations
regard as an absolute disregard of the
law authorizing the construction of the
| new building for the department of ag-
rieulture prevailed in the hearings on
the sundry civil appropriation.
IN 1903 congress appropriated ST 800, 900
for this building 1t was the general
understanding that this amendment was
for the erection of a complete building
for the accommodation of the entire de-
partment. It was with some astonish-
ment that the members learned last week
that Somebody has ordered the construc-
ton of two wings of what may be some
day completed building and that the
two wings have practically exhausted the
million and a half dollars"
Moreover their establishment was not
lessened when they were Informed that
the two wings when completed will not
begin to accommodate the department.
and that congress will be called upon
to appropriate another couple of millions
to fill the space between them
Considerable Irritation Develops.
Considerable irritation was developed
during the hearings, and Secretary Will
son and officials of the agricultural de-
partment were questioned 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 ofsthe entire building and
replied that he dld-that it was $l,5OOO 900.
You are constructing a building with
two wings?" asked Chairman Tawney.
Yes, sir replied Mr. Gardner.
Does your plan contemplate a central
administration building?" inquired the
chairman.
1T does" said Mr. Gardner.
rs that also in the contract?"
THAT has not been appropriated for.
No, sir" replied Mr.. Gardner.
MIR. Gardner, continuing his statement,
said In reply TO further questions by Mr..
TaWney, that the central adm nistration
building was not included II the limit of
cost that 1t was not even contemplated
as yet, and that 1t would have to be APP
proprlated for at some future time.
But asked Mr.. Tawney, does not
the act under which this building Is being
erected require complete agricultural
building to serve the requirements of all
the different branches of the department,
and in which all the work of the depart
ment is TO be carried on?"
"Well," replied Mr.. Gardner. 'If the
act contemplated that. it is absolutely i'm
possible from my knowledge of the re-
quirements of the department.
so in order to rear an agricultural
building that will actually accommodate
the department, congress will have to APP
propriate a larger sum to carry out the
general plan on which the two present
buildings have been based?"
THAT is the Idea, exactly said Mr..
Gardner.
1t developed further from Mr.. Gardeners
testimony that the administrative work
of the department would continue to be
carried on in the present buildings, al
though Congress provided that it should
be torn down. Further than that, Mr..
Gardner said that two wings In question
were being constructed 'for laboratory
purposes"
DO you krow." asked Mr.. Tawney
" who is responsible for the plans of the
building that is now being erected that
was authorized, accepted and approved?'
THE Secretary of Agriculture" replied
Mr.. Gardner.
the building, remarlSng that there was
no question but that 1t was to aecommo-
date the entire needs Of the department,
including the administration building.
Mr. Gardner then testified that $4,000
worth of useless work had been done, and
added that the site of the building might
be moved forty feet
ION whose recommendation was the
change made?" asked Mr.. Tawney.
OaePtinp pf the White
House and II was decided by the secre-
tary and the President that the building
should be moved, and also representa-
tive of the park commission replied Mr..
Gardner.
Secretary Wilson Questioned.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson was
questioned by the committee and made
q long prepared statement in defense of
the present construction.
How can you Justify your position"'
asked Chairman Tawney. when YOU
eatf cfn A