Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-06-07
BUILT Two WINGS
Secretary Wilson Charged with Dis
regarding Law Authorizing New
Building for His Department.
OFFICIALS UNDER FIRE.
Appropriation of SI,BOO,OOO for Com
pleted Structure Spent in Erect
ing LabaratOry-MOved Site 40
Feet at Cost Of $4,000.

| RCGe - SS1s W Y~htOOs
Washington, May 31.-What mem
bers OF the .ouse committee on APP
propriations regard as an absolute dis
regard of the law authorizing the
construction of the new building for
the department of agriculture is re-
vealed in the hearings before that
committee on the sundry civil eppro-
priation bill. In 1903 congress appro-
priated $1,500,000 for this building.
It was the general understanding that
this amendment was for the erection
of complete building for the accomo-
dalton Of the entire department. 1t
was with some astonishment that the
members learned last week that some
body" has ordered the construction Of
two wings which have practically ex-
hausted the $1,5O0,O00 appropriated for
complete structure.
The wings when completed, will, ac-
cording to testimony given before the
committee, be inadequate to house the
department force and congress will
be called upon to appropriate another
couple Of millions to ill the space
between the two wings.
Considerable irritation was devel-
oped during the hearings before the
appropriations committee and Secre-
tary Wilson, DR.. Galloway and Off
cials Of the agricultural department
were questioned concerning what is
said to be a direct violation of law in
volved.
When p. s. Gardner, 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 build
ing and replied that he did-that it
was about $1,60O,000.
Mr.. Gardner, continuing said in re-
ply to further questions by Mr.. Taw-
ney that the central administration
building was not included in the
limit Of cost; that 1t was not even con-
templated as yet and that 1t would
have to be appropriated for at some
future time.
In reply to a question from the
chairman as to why the department
did not construct the building within
the limit Of cost fixed oy congress and
in a manner that would accommodate
the department with all of its various
branches as prescribed by congress,
Mr.. 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 20 put up
other buildings"
It developed further from Mr. Gard
ner's testimony that the administrative
work of the department would contin-
ne to DO carried on in the present
buildings although congress provided
that 1t should be torn down. Further
than that the two wings in question
were being constructed "for labora-
tory purposes"
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
approved?"
1.-THE secretary of agriculture" re-
piled Mr.. Gardner.
Mr.. Gardner then testified that $37,
BOO worth of useless work had been
done in order that the site for the
building might be moved 40 feet.
ION whose recommendation was the
change made?" asked Mr.. Tawney.
There was a meeting at the White
louse, and 1t was decided by the sec
etary and the president that the build
ng should be moved-and also rep
of the park commission"
eplied Mr.. Gardner.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson was
Questioned at some length before the
ommittee and made a long prepared
tatement In defense Of the present
obstruction.
How can you justify your positionf
sked Chairman Tawney. when you
1ade your plan, II you became satisfied
hat $1,500,O00 was not enough l
hould have thought you would have
congress before going on
nth the plan you adopted"
you have wrong idea in your =
lind there" said Mr.. Wilson. 1--WE
lade plan to exhaust $1,5O0,OOO. We
uilt in such a way that congress might
ID to 1t, and we made no plans but
" our buildings"
The secretary went on TO detail the
reat growth Of the department and
, defend his course in erecting wings
lat might DO added to, instead Of
recttng one building as specified BY
,ngrsss.
DutK MeAIesteF Newspaper Changer
South McAlester, L T., May S1.-Ths
aptal Printing company was organic
wednesday composed Of twenty Inc
uential citizens. They have pur-
based the Daily Capital and Miller
-