Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
MILLIONS ARE SPENT
What is Being Done in the Con-
struction of Buildings.
NEEDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Uncle Sans Employees Believed to Ee
Pretty Well Housed.
AT TIMES CONGRESS NEEDS JOLT
Difficult, However, to Keep Pace With
the Growth Of the National
Government.
NEEDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
AT TIMES CONGRESS NEEDS JOLT

Il note that the comment of n recent
government official regarding the main
tenance by the government of sweat-shop
conditions In the bureau OF engraving and
printing Is being passed along in the ex-
changes as indicative OF general conditions
In government workshops in the capital,
and II Is just as wei. for the credit of the
city, that such a misleading imrression
should be promptly met and properly de-
MED, said District oIlcIaI TO a Star re-
porter.
While 1t is true that conditions exist I'm
the building in question which are adverse
TO the comfort OF many of the employees
therein and that new and more commo-
dious building is essential for the proper
manufacture of our money and stamped
paper. 1t Is nevertheless a fact that the
government clerical and working force in
the city as an entirety Is well housed and
comfortably placed.
Mammoth Workshop.
A new building for the bureau referred
to Is now assured, and though the govern
ment may have been dilatory in this in
stance 1t has nevertheless acted and adj
verse comment should thereby be fore
stalled. 1t is well understood I'm Washing
ton how necessarily slow is the oneratio,
or the governmental machinery I'm provid-
ing FOR and the erection of new and costly
official buildings
This was the case with the government
printing office. but this mammoth govern
meht workshop stands today as a model
monument OF Its kind. for Ii Is one of the
largest and best constructed workshops I'm
the world, and. occupyink az 1t does prac-
tically an entire square, filled with every
modern appliance and device knoun Ia
the printing trade. 1t stands pre-emioent
over other work places of its kind.
Inc same tangible results are I'm store
Tor Its companion bureau In the Mall In
deed. 1t Is a fact which should be well
understood on the outside in recent wears
the government has been unusually liberal
In appropriating for the erection of public
buildings In the capital for the occIpa-
ton OF its employees.
Even such compa ratively small work
branch OF government employ as the mail
Dag ana repair shop of the Post Office De-
partment has been given attention and
new and more commodious quarters have
been provided for the workmen engaged
In this division of the mail service
Millions in New Buildings.
There have been several recent substan
tial appropriations for the erection of new
workshops at the navy yard. and the i'm
proFements in this respect at the nations
gun Factory are at once evident to tha
visitor. IN fact. some of these are not vet
complete and 1t is my impression that still
Others are yet TO come with funds which
may be available.
In short. while we do not attempt IN
excuse conditions in a single instance which
may De regretted, there should be no false
impression abroad as to the general con-
ditions In Washington regarding the places
where our forces housed 1t NAV
broadly be stated that upon all sides and
in all sections of the District new govern
ment buildings are going up or improve
ments of one sort or another are being
made.
Progress Noted.
From the fine new marble home OF the
Agricultural Department to the govern
ment asylum for the insane at ST. Eliza
beth on the other side Of the Eastern
branch, these new buildings, improve
ments and additions are everywhere visible
even to the casual observer and although
our critics may be well disposed toward
the capital they should not in the future
fail to give us credit for what has been
done and is now doing.
Indeed, 1t Is improvement and continued
improvement all along the line under dis
cussion. There has never been-a time I'm
the history OF the capital when so much
money. aggregating high in the millions
has been disbursed as during the present
year In the erection OF public buildings and
In the advancement OF government improve
ments and the general betterment of past
conditions. The new home Of the bureau
In question Is to be but one of a number
of show places which may greet the eve
OF those who come to visit US and to en- low
what we have to offer"