The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-31
Violate Plain Direction
 of the Law.
coNGRESsMEN ARE SURPRISED
Erection of Building for the Agri-
 cultural Department.
The Sum of 1,5eo,oo0, Meant for Structure Compieted, Is Being Expended Upon Two Wings
 old Building to stand.

washinston. May so.-what mem bers of the House Committee on ap- propriations regard as an absolute dis- regard of the law authorizing the con struction of the new building for the department of agriculture prevailed Tn the hearings on the sundry CIVIL ap- propriation. ., 5oo.ooo for this building. It was the general understanding that this ameno- nent, was for the erection or a com pIete building for the accommooa'ion of the entire department. If was with some astonfshment that the members learned last week that 'isombody' has ordered the construc- ton of two wings of what may pc sorne day a completed building ana that the two wings have practically exhausted the million and haif dol- lars. Moreover their astontshmenl was not Iessened when they were infofm- ed that the two wings when compiet- ed will not begin to accommodate the called upon to appropriate another cou- ple of millions to fill the space oe- 'Considerable irritation was develop ed during the hearings and Secreta- " Wilson and officials of the asricui- tural department were ques.ioneoa a,rant Son violation of law.
 F. S. Gardner. mechanical engineer of the department, was asked 1T ne knew the limit of cost or the entire 2 building and replied that he did-that 1t was s1.5oo.o0o.
 You are constructing a building with two wings?" asked Chairman Tawney
 .Yes, sir" replied MT. Gardner.
 Does your plan contemplate cen- tral administration buildingF inquired the chairman.
 sIs that also in the contract7
 "That has not been appropriated for. No, sir" replied MT: Gardner
 MT. Gardner continuing. his state ment, said in reply to further ques, fions by MT Tawney that the central Administration building was not m cluded in the limit of cost; that It was not even contemplated as yet and tnal 1t would have to be appropriated TOT at some future time But" asked Mir. Tawney, does not the act under which this building IS heinz erected require complete agri- cultural building to serve the reauire- ments Of all the different brancnes or the department and in which all the work of the department Is to be carried on?"
 well" replied Mir. Gardner. If the act contemplated that, 1t Is absolutely impossible from my knowledge of the reouirements of the department" 50, in order to rear an agricul- tural building that will actually &C., conmodate the department, Congress will have to appropriate larger sum to carry out the. general plan on which the two present buildings have been based?"
 Gardner.
 VIII Violate the Law.
 It developed further from MT. Gard ner's testimony that the admintstra- tive work of the department would continue to be carried on in the pres ent buildings, although Congress pro- yided that it should be torn down. Further than that, MT. Gardner said that two wings in question were be- ing constructed for laboratory pur- poses"
 Do you know" asked MT. 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 MT. Gardner ...- MT Tawney read the authorization for the building. remarking that there was no question but that it was to &C., commodate the entire needs of the de- partment, including the administration building.
 MT. Gardner then testified that s37,- 900 worth of useless work had beon done and added that the site of the building was moved forty feet.
 "On whose recommendation was the change nader" asked MT. Tawney.
 There was a meeting at the White House and 1t was decided by the Se-
 
 building should be moved and also a representative of the Park Commission replied Mir. Gardner.
 Secretary of Agriculture Wilson was questioned by the committee and made a long prepared statement in defense of the present construction.
 How can you justify your position? ?' asked Chairman Tawney.
 When you made your plan, if you became satisfied that $1.600.00o was not enough, should have thought you would have informed Congress before going on with the plan you adopted ''
 Wilson Corrects Tawney.
 You have a wrong idea in your mind there.' said MT. Wilson.
 We made a plan to exhaust $1,50o,- 900. We built in such a way that ment and to defend his course In erect ing wings that might be added to. The secretary at several points asked MT. Tawney to get out of his mind the idea that he had any completed plan: that he was going to make a demand for further buildings. or that more money would be asked for.
 Doctor Galloway and MT. Wilson. contradicting the testimony of Mir. Gardner who had proceeded them. in- sisted that the wings would accom- modate the administrative force, but both admitted that they did not con- template tearing down the present ad- ministrative building, as directed by Congress.
 Members of the Committee assured MT. Wilson that he dtd not suspect his integrity or take issue with his wis dom at this time. but they did not think he had authority for what he had done. To suggestion of this kind the Secretary tartly replied. You make a law without consulting a soul fin the agricultural department The man who drafted the law came pretty near the needs and made the most of it."
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