The Washington times., 1906-03-24
Attorney General MoOdy's Views.
Secretary MetcaIf Favors Plan.

editorial in The Times, and il has ny
hearty Endorsement ] have already
sent communication 10 the Senate
Committee. estimating the cost OF one
building which would accommodate the
entire Department Of Commerce and
Labor. Saying such a building would
cost us $5,e0e009. the interest at > per
cent upon the bonds which IT would BE-
necessary 10 issue would only amount 70
SlV0,uet per year, which is much less
than the rent that we are now paving.
Congress should decide 10 build the nee
essary buildings for all Of the depart
uents- II would mean an addition 10
the architectural beauty Of the city.
as II would be possible 10 purchase a
great ceal OF the property along Penn
syivania avenue and abolish many OF
the old and dilapidated buildings which
mar the beauty OF the city"
Wilson and Bonaparte Approve.
Secretary Wilson: Il do not hesitate to
say that building is much more economi-
cal than renting and would like 10 see
Congress provide a sufficient number OF
new and modern buildings TO accommo-
date the needs of all the executive de-
partments. 1 heartily indorse the senti-
ment Of Thursday 5 editorial"
Secretary Bonaparte: Some time ago
recommended the construction Of
the State. War and Navy building which
would provide sufficient room 10 answer
the needs Of those departments
AS il is now they have been forced 10
rent numerous buildings which are in
adequate and unsafe. ! have not given
the matter much thought. but / believe
that as a general proposition II IS much
more economical and buslnesslise oi'
the part of the Government to construct
and own its buildings than 70 pay rent
Cortelyou Heartily Approves Idea
Postmaster General COrtelyou referred
to the first annual report Of the Secre-
tary Of Commerce and Labor In this
report Mr.. CortelyoU. then at the head
of that departTblnt earnestly recon
mended the construction of a depart
mental building. declaring mat tne de-
partment was scattered all over the city
in ten different buildings He said that
for four buildings alone an annual rental
Of S44.544 was being paid
UnbusinesSlike Policy to Rent.
Assistant Secretary Taylor OF The
Treasury. who is now acting in Secre-
tarv Shaw's place. and who for the last
eight or ten years has been intruSted
with the care of an public buildings
under the Treasury Department, when
asked today about his views on the
question OF the Government owning all
OF the buildings used by il said:
Il thoroughly approve the sentiment
expressed in the editorial in The Times
of Thursday afternoon 1t certainly is
very unbusinesslike for the Government
to continue 10 rent a large number OF
buildings at such an enormous cost.
We can issue bonds at per cent TO con-
struct new buildings, but are paying
per cent now for rent Many OF the
most important public documents and
files are kept in buildings which are alb
solutely unprotected from IRE. | think
il would be sound policy for the Govern
ment TO construct and own all of tn
buildings necessary 10 carry on its
work
War Department Needs Room.
The War Department is particularly
hampered for lack OF room. and Secre-
Jary Taft is greatly interested in the
movement that has been taken up b.
The Times The editorial won his strons
approval, and speaking Of the conditions,
lie said;
1t has long been > deplorsbie fact
that this department hasn't nearly SUI
hcieut room IN which TO transact its
business properly and without a large