The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-01
OF THE LAW
Facts Brought Out in Connection With
the Construction of the New Agri-
cultural Building.

Washington, May 3O.-What mem
bers of the house committee on appro-
priations regard as an absolute disre-
| gard Of the law authorizing the con-
struction Of the new building for the
department of agriculture is revealed
in the hearing before that committee
on he sundry civil appropriation bill.
In 1903 congress appropriated 5 $780,
900 for this building. It was the gen.
eral understanding that this amount
was for b erection of a complete
building for he accommodation Of the
entire department. 1t was with some
aStOnlshment that the members learn
ed last week that somebody" has or
derad the construction of two wings Of
what may be some day a completed
building and that the two wings have
practically exhausted the million and
a half dollars appropriated for a CON-
| plete structure. Moreover, their aston
ishmcnt was not lessened when they
were Informed that the two wings when
completed will not begin to accOmmo-
date the force of the department, and
congress will be called upon to apprO-
pirate another couple of millions 70
fill the space between the two wings.
! Considerable irritation was develop
ed during the hearings before the ap-
preparations committee and Secretary
Wilson, DR.. Galloway and other Off
Gals of the agricultural department
were questioned concerning wha: is
said to be a direct violation Of law.
When F. S. aGrdner, mechanical en-
| gineer Of the department of agricul-
ture, testified before the appropriations
committee, he was asked if he knew
the limit Of cost Of the entire building
and replied that he did-that it was
81, 800, 900.
Mr.. Gardner, continuing his state
ment, said that the central adminis.ra-
ton building was not included in the
limit of cost; hat it was not even
contemplated as yet and that it would
have to be appropriated for at some
future time.
; In reply to a question from Mr.. Taw-
neV as to why the department did not
contract the building within the linn
it of cost fixed by congress and in a
manner that would accommodate the
! department with all of it's various
UldliCutS DIS pItSCI1Utu ny COuSISSS.
Gardner answered that they con-
structed within the limit of cost ex-
actly what they needed for their pres
ent work and when their future work
comes up they will have to put up
other buildings.
1t developed further from Mr.. Gard
ner's testimony that the administra-
tive work of the department would
continue to be carried on in the pres
ent buildings although congress pre-
vided hat it should be torn down.
Further than that Mr.. Gardner said
that the two wings in question were
being constructed for laboratory pur-
poses
DO you know" asked Mr.. Tawney,
who is responsible for the plans Of
the building that is now being erected
that was authorized, accepted and ap-
proved?"
~The secretary Of agriculture re-
| piled Mr.. Gardner.
Mr.. Gardner then testified that $751;
600 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.
There was a meeting at the White
| house, and it was decided by the sec
rotary and the president hat the
building should be mOved-and also a
| representative of the park commits
sion" replied Mr.. Gardner.