Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-30
D|SREGARDED THE LAW
Appropriation for Government
Building Diverted.
IRRITATION IN CONGRESS
New Home for Agricultural Depart
ment Inadequate.
TWO WINGS PROVIDED FOB
Revelations Made to Chairman Taw-
ney's Committee-Secretary
Wilson's Defense.
'wo WINGS PROVIDED FOR

What members Of the House committee
on appropriations regard an absolute dis
regard OF the law authorizing the construc-
ton of the new building for the Department
of Agriculture is revealed in the hearings
before that committee on the sundry civil
appropriation bill. In 1903 Congress appro-
priated $1,000, 600 for this building. 1t was
the general understanding that this amount
was for the erection of a complete building
for the accommodation of the entire de-
partment. 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 a COM
pleted building, and that the two wings
nave practically exhausted the million and
half dollars appropriated for complete
structure. Moreover their establishment
was not lessened when they were informed
that the two wings, when completed will
not begin to accommodate the force of the
department.
r., or course. the inference is very plain.
Inc wings when completed will according
TO testimony given before the committee,
be inadequate to house the department
1orce. and Congress will be called upon to
appropriate another couple of millions to
I'LL the space between the two wings
Considerable irritation was developed
during the hearings before the appropria-
IONS committee, and Secretary Wilson, Dr.
Galloway and other officials of the Agri-
cultural department were questioned con-
corning the direct violation of law involved
Mr.. Gardeners Admissions,
When F. s. Gardner. mechanical, euei-
neer of the Department of Agriculture tes-
titled before the appropriations committee.
ne was asked IL he knew the limit of cost
OF the entire building, and replied that he
did-that it was 81 800 600
You are constructing a building there
with two wingsY asked Chairman Tawney.
YES sir, replied Mr.. Gardner
Does your plan contemplate a central adj
ministration building?" inquired the chair
man.
1T does" said Mr. Gardner.
is that also In the contract?"
That has not been appropriated for No
sir, replied Mr. Gardner.
Mr.. Gardner, continuing his statement,
said in reply to further questions by Mr.
Tawney that the central administration
building was not included In the limit OF
cost; that 1t was not even contemplated as
yet, and that 1t would have to be appro-
priated for at some future time.
But" asked Mr.. Tawney docs not the
act under which this building is being erect
ed require a complete agricultural building
TO serve the requirements of all the differ
ent branches of the department and in
which all the work of the department is to
be carried on?"
Well" replied Mr. Gardner, eff the act
contemplated that. 1t is absolutely impos-
sible. from my knowledge of the require
ments of the department"
Another Appropriation Needed.
so that in order to secure an agricul-
tural building that will actually accommo-
date the department Congress will have to
appropriate a large sum to carry out the
general plan on which the two present
buildings have been based"
THAT Is the idea exactly" said Mr. Gard
ner.
In reply to a question from the chairman
as TO why the department did not construct
the building within the limit of cost fixed
by Congress and in manner that would
accommodate the department with all of it's
various branches, as prescribed by Con-
gress, Mr.. Gardner answered that ''they
constructed within the limit of cost exactly
what they needed for their present work
and when their future work comes up they
VIII have to put UP other buildings
1t developed further from Mr.. Gardeners
testimony that the administrative work of
the department would continue to be car-
ried on in the present building, although
Congress provided that 1t should be torn
down Further than that Mr.. Gardncr
said that the two wings in question were
being constructed for laboratory pur-
poses.
Responsibility for the Change.
do you know" asked Mr.. Tawney, who
Is responsible for the plans of the Guild
Ing that is now being erected that was au-
thorized, accepted and approved?''
THE Secretary of Agriculture" replied
Mr.. Gardner.
Mr.. Tawney then read the authorization
for the building. remarldng that there was
no question but that 1t was to accomrno-
date the entire needs of the department in
Guiding the administration building
Mr.. Gardner then testified that $37 600
worth of useless work had been done in
order that the site for the building might
be moved forty feet
ION whose recommendation was the
change madeT asked Mr.. Tawney
There was a meeting at the White
House. and 1t was decided by the Secretary
and the President that the building should
be moved-and also a representative of the
park commission" replied Mr.. Gardner.
Representative Smith secured an admis-
sion from Mr.. Gardner that the ends of
these two wings. which would connect with
an administration building, IL one were con-
structed, were not nished in marble.
Secretary Wilson's Defense.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson was ques-
toned at some length before the committee
and made long prepared statement in de-
Tense OF the present construction.
How can you justify your position? ?"
asked Chairman Tawney. When you made
your plan IL you became satisfied that
S1.JO0.0o0 was not enough l should have
thought you would have informed Congress
before going on with the pan you adopted.
you have a wrong idea in your mind
to exhaust 81 100000. We. built In such a
way that Congress might add to 1t. and We
made no plans but for our building"