Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-16

rassment in connection with the fact that
as a senator he was dealing in property
which was the subject Of Congressional
consideration, would invest one dollar In
that portion of this city.
1T is true Washington is growing. 1t
is true that real estate is advancing.
have not had time to examine the records,
but I suggest that an examination of
those records will show very few trans
fers of titles south of the avenue. unless
possibly among those who look forward
to the favorable action of Congress In re-
gard to this proposition.
~ say to the Senator from West Nir-
ginia. so far as public buildings are con-
cerned land being opposed to this bill
might have been included in the sugges-
ton he madel. that I am heartily in favor
of them: but I am not in favor of spend
ing money to buy property that every
man in the Senate has seen Is dilapl-
dated and which has been depreciating
for the last few.-years that he may have
been in the city. This bill does not con-
template the immediate erection of any
buildings. If it did, it would be differ
ent proposition. If the Senator from
West Virginia were to bring forward a
plan that will involve now the selection
and the determination to put up buildings
to meet the requirements of the public
service. that would be one thing. But
this bill does not present that plan. This
bill proposes to buy property which, in
view of the removal of the depot. in view
of the generally dilapida ted condition of
that property is depreciating. and. hold
IL and with due difference to the financial
standing and experience and prestige OF
the Senator from West Virginia, l say
he can put the public money to better
use Therefore. for one. ] am not only go
ing to vote against the amendment, but I
shall vote against the bill
Government Wouldn't Sell.
Does the senator from Minnesota know
Of any ground that the government of the
United States owns in the District of CO.
lumbia which it would sell today for
twice the money that it paid for it,"
asked Mr.. Scott.
NO; because the government has not
in the past bought property OF this char-
acter." was the reply.
1T has bought property of this charac-
ter 1t has bought property for the pur-
pose of putting up public buildings, an
nounced Mr.. Scott.
New Buildings Desired.
The senator says we have not devised
any plan or suggestion for any buildings
7 take 1t he was here during the fly
eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses. My
friend the senator from Maine tMr
Hale) remembers that he tried to keep
on
hills an item OF S:i0c0.GN. | understood
that he was working very hard almost
night and day TO keep the item OF S3,ooo,-
600 on that bill Finally 1T was stricken
ont by the House. | know he worked TO
the very best advantage and to the eX-
tent of his ability to keep II on we
wanted then to put up buildings Tor the
three departments. The piece OF ground
was indicated upon which we wanted TO
huild them tried to present 1t last
,f
Monday again. that three OF tliese Sreat
DEPARTMENTS should have a home. They
have none.
IT appeal to any senator on this hoor
to know whether he has ever been critl-
cised at home by one of his constituents
mr. a newspapar-and I care not If 1t was
even at a crossrOadS-for any vote or MS
IN appropriate money for taking proper
care of the business of this great govern
ment.
Options on the Land,
MIR Heyburn closed the debate by saye
ing:
eft is very evident the senator from
Georgia in his zeal not to vote for a bill
providing for the purchase of this prop
erty. oyerlooks the fact that the sum
named in the bill. whether it be $1O,Oo00CO
or S2OC0U.O0O is not the sum to be paid
for the property but it is merely a sum
out of which the property may be pur-
chased. If it could be purchased for 81
600 900 or for half million dollars, the
government would derive the benefit from
it. I have proposed to insert the word
option here. so that it will read: That
the sum of $4,000 GOO. or SO much thereof
as may be necessary. to be used for the
payment of said land or the acceptance
or acquiring the title or option thereto
That is, much may be necessary
1 have been told that an option Of three
years ON certain piece of property could
be acquired by very small payment. 1t
does not say that the Secretary of the
Treasury is bound to go out and take op-
tions on the property. 1t simply says. If
he finds he can make a better contract for
the government by taking such an option
then he is te do 1t. Then the objection
of the senator from Georgia and the SEN
atnr from Minnesota would be overcome