New-York tribune., 1907-01-07
HOPE FOR BIG BUILDING.
TO HOUSE DEPARTMENTS
Plan for Republics Bureau Home
Thought to Make 1t Necessary.
[From Tho Tribune Bureau. J

Washington Jan. 6-Andrew Carnegie's gift.
by which S1,0OOOOO In made available for the
erection of a home for the Bureau OF Ameri-
can Republics. is considered by many members
Of Congress to have made imperative the pas
sage Of the bill appropriating S3OGOOOO TO start
a new building for the departments OF State.
Justice. and Commerce and Labor The bureaus
affairs closely related to the departments
OF State and Commerce that buildings for the
should not be widely separated. Hence, the
advocates of the department building now hope
TO overcome Speaker Cannon's opposition and to
have sites purchased and plans made for both
buildings in a place where they will be con-
venient to each other. They also hope to have
them completed at about the same time.
Tis secretaries OF the departments OF state,
Justice and Commerce and Labor during the
last year have been making effort TO get
Congress to pass a bill purchasing ground south
of the Treasury between 18th and 18th streets
and extending from Pennsylvania avenue back
to the Mall. preliminary TO the erection Of
S7.eoO.OoO building in which to house their de-
partments The bill passed the Senate at the
last session after it had been urged by Mr.. Root
and others, but held UP in the House Public
Buildings and Grounds Committee. An appro-
priation OF S3O0OO0O to start the work was en-
crossed by mistake In the Omnibus Public Build
ings bill the last day OF the session causing
the legislat tors to got heated because OF a delay
and order investigation. The mistake was
rectihed. and the bill went through without the
provision for the department structure.
1t has been considered unlikely that the bill
Will be enacted at this session because of the
decided opposition OF Speaker Cannon. Senator
Allison. chairman OF the Appropriations Com
mittee. and Senator Wetmore, chairman OF the
Senate Library Committee. which reported the
bin in the first instance, approached the
Speaker. but to no avail. The President was
then appealed to to his influence and did
So but the Speaker was obdurate. Then Sena-
tor Scott. chairman of the Senate Public Build
ings and Grounds Committee. pleaded with
Uncle joe but with the same result. The
Speaker is understood 10 have been opposed TO
the bill because of belief that no more large
buildings should be erected in Washington for
the government until the Senate and House
office buildings have been completed which Will
be in another year two An expenditure of
ST. 600 600 is at present being made on govern
ment structures here. But in view OF MIR. Car
negie's gift the advocates OF the buildings have
hopes.
1t is contended by the Cabinet members inter
ested that their quarters inadequate TO ac-
commodate their growing departments. The gov
ernment now pays 1870 900 for rental OF privately
owned space outside the regular buildings. and IL
is urged that this money might be used toward
the erection of permanent buildings.
Senator Hepburn has introduced compre-
hensive bill providing for the condemnation and
purchase OF all property not now owned by the
government south OF Pennsylvania avenue. be-
tween the Treasury and Capitol, and VIII urge
favorable consideration OF the measure by the
Senate Public Buildings and Grounds Committee
when IL meets this week