Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-28

SO. osoGOo to make this purchase, he was
the first 10 get behind it with all the great
influence at his command. AS chairman
of Tin" committee 10 which that measure
went he promptly took 1t up and saw
that every fact that could be brought out
for or against the proposition was laid be-
fore tine committee. The result of the
showing was favorab that when tha
tim came for the committee to act upon
the hill without exception the members
voted for favorable report to the SEN
ate. The democrats of the committee
werc as strong advocates of it as were the
republicans So 1t was that the report
was unanimous
Expects Favorable Action.
Mr. Scott believes that the committee
will promptly take favorable action upon
this bill which Mr.. Hepburn proposes to
Introduce in the Senate upon the opening
of Congress.
This proposition to purchase the land
along the south side of Pennsylvania ave
nue. and to locate public buildings there
seems 50 fraught with good business judg-
object TO il" said Mr. Scott today. "A
survey Of the situation that faces the
government In this matter will show that
such action would be in the highest way
matter of good administration and of
economy. Why. men have been putting
up office buildings in this city for no other
purpose than to rent tn, n to the govern
ment at rents that pay 10 or II per cent.
hay haI i,,
prise except the patronage of the govern
ment with rents that pay them we'll
I do not blame these men. The gov
eminent is In need of just such buildings
II 1t cannot get proper ones of its own
But 1t must appeal to every one that
that is not good business for the govern
ment and that the time ought to come
soon for action that will permit the gov
tngS. 1t Is not properly housed in the
rented structures. In the first place that
plan of providing quarters for the gov
eminent results IN scattering the depart
Inents to the great detriment of tbs work
that is to be done. A secretary should
have his entire department in this city
under one roof whenever possible think
The advantages of that plan are SO great
that II is not necessary to present them.
Then the location of the rented buildings
IL not convenient and results in confusion
on the part of people who have business
with the government
Would Beautify Avenue.
with the offices OF the government
ranged along Pennsylvania avenue we
would have no trouble In knowing just
where To go to find any bureau that
pfrrl,r 10, r-I.o
beautif"d in a way to make good the
claim we have set up that this Is to be
the most beautiful capital in the world
The avenue between the Capitol and the
White House is just the place for these
buildings. This matter has been discuss
ed during half a century and every dis
cussion only adds to the force of the
sentiment favoring action by Congress
But when We consider this matter from
business standpoint we have the strong
est possible reason for prompt action
What would you think OF a business man
who would pay rent representing five
times the cost OF borrowing money to
provide himself with works hops? That is
exactly what are doing In other
words, We are paying rent that nets the
investors 10 per cent and more. whereas
W. could borrow money to provide these
buildings for ourselves at the rate of 2
Per cent OF less.
Il propose introducing bill In Con-
srrss providing FOR the issuance of 500
OSpvo Of government bonds, the pro
Ceeds pf which are to he devoted to put
ting up government buildings all over
the country. and 10 be used for no other
purpose. Such al issue of bonds will
take from this EFFORT 10 properly provide
for the government the objection that it
too heavily drains the revenues OF the
Treasury- We could float those bonds
for less than per cent. With that
O.4uf Of money We could save an i'm
mems sum by cutting off the rent ac-
count 10 many places. and besides We
would provide proper buildings III which
tho publ, business could be- done instead
OF tbr Inadequate places that are in very
mar instances rented.
A Popular Movement.
al believe that such acton by Congress
would be approved all over the country.
get about the country great deal and
l talk with many people IN all sections.
i have Vet to hear any one approve any
niggardiiuesS in providing for the govern
meut The criticism is all the other way.
So far as This city is concerned, l have
never Yet found a constituent of mine who
believe that We are spending too much
IN beauutylug the capital. They take a
pride ia tails city. They believe that the
government should provide itself with the
best facilities for doing the business OF
the people and AT the same time beautify
the city 10 the highest degree. They like
TO come her" To see the hne improve
meuts Of the government. When they
see q department housed in an unsightly
place they critiCise those who are respon-
sibie for the failure TO properly provide
for the governments needs.
= hope to have Il meeting of my com
Tuitfee soon after the meeting of Con
gress in fact. before the Christmas hoIi-
days and | hope to see this bill for the
pUrcias- pf the land the south side
of the avenue reported upon favorabIy al
one especially regret that Mr.. Wet
more viii not be with us the com
mittee AT that time He was a great
help In these matters and took a broad