The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-31
Surprised and Irritated.


during the hearings before the Appropria-
lions Committee, and Secretary Wilson.
4 DR.. Galloway and other officials Of the
Agricultural Department were questioned
concerning what Is said to be q direct
violation Of law.
When F. s. Gardner, a1nechanical cngi-
neer Of the Department Of Agriculture,
testified before the Appropriations Com
mite, he was asked II he knew tho
limit OF cost Of the entire building. ana
replied that he did-that It was 81, 6oo,0 0o.
Mr.. Gardner, continuing his statement,
said that the central administration
building was not included in the limit OF
cost; that It was not even contemplated
as vet, and that It would have to DO
appropriated for at some future time.
In reply to question from Mr.. Tawney
as to why the department did not COM
struct the building within the limit OF
cost fixed by Congress and In manner
that would accommodates tho department
with all It's various branches as pre-
scrlbed by Congress-, Mr.. Gardner an
swered that "they constructed within the
limit OF cost exactly what they needed
for their present work, and when their
future work comes up, Mhey will have 10
put up other buildings
Retain Present Building.
II developed further from Mr. Gardeners
testimony that the administrative work
of the department would nt.nue to be
carried on in the present buildings, all
though Congress provided that It should
E be torn down. Further than that, Mr..
Gardner said that the two wings In ques-
ton were being constructed for labor
iatory purposes.
.'Do you know" asked Mr.. Tawney,
who Is responsible for the plan OF the
building that Is now being erected. that
was authorized, accepted and approved?'
1.-THE Secretary Of Agriculture. re-
piled Mr.. Gardner.
B Mr.. Gardner then, testified that $4,000
worth OF useless work had been done In
order that the site for the building might
be moved forty feet.
"On whose recommendation was the
change made?~ asked Mr. Tawney.8
There was meeting at the White
House, and 1t was decided by the secre-
tary and the President TINT the building
should be moved. and also a representa-
tive OF the Park Commission replied
Mr.. Gardner.
Planned for the Amount.
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson was
questioned at some length before tho
committee and made long prepared
statement In defense OF the present con-
struction. 3af
HOW can you justly your PoSltlOil,5
asked Chairman Tawney, when you
made your plan, il you became satisfied
that $500. 900 was not enough, ! should
have thought you would have informed
Congress before going on with the plan
you adopted. I"
''You have a wrong idea in your mind
there" said Mr., Wilson. I'VE made a
plan to exhaust $1,50O,oOo. We built In
such a way that Congress might add to
It, and we made no plans but for our
building
Or. Galloway and Mr.. Wilson, contra
dieting the testimony Of Mr.. uardner.
who had prec eded them, insisted that the
wings would accommodate the admins:
tratlve force. but both admitted that they
did not contemplate tearing down the
present administrative building as direct
ed by Congress-
Members of the committee assured Mr..
Wilson that they did not suspect his
integrity or take issue with his wisdom
at this time. but they did not think he
had authority In law for what no had
done.
The Secretary turtly replied: You make
a law without consulting soul in the
Agricultural Department with regard to
Its necessities. The man who drafted
Tho law came pretty near the needs, and
made the most Of IT.