The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-05
OPPOSE THE BUILDING.
Members of Congress Object to Ma
terial Proposed for Public Buildings.

Washington, March Sit is harder to
keep from having a public building
erected in some cases than 1t Is to have
one erected, strange as that may be; /;
though the trouble is generally the 9TH
er way.
This is the experience of Senator
Long and Representative Murdock In
the case Of the extension to the wichi-
ia public building.
Some years ago, Senator Long be-
came very much interested in trying to
secure an appropriation for extending
and enlarging the Wichita building.
The growth Of the town and the i'm
portance of court and railway mail
work had crowded the building, which
was built many years ago. to its utmost
capacity. The postoffice itself was in
dire straits. Newton also was insist
ing upon a public building approprta-
tion. and so Senator Long and Mr. MUIR
dock agreed to divide the work, the for
mer taking Wichita, and the latter
Newton.
Appropriations were secured for both
towns, and the committee on public
buildings and grounds unfortunately
insisted on cutting the Wichita sum to
$4,000. 1t was thought, however, that
the extension might be erected for this
amount The work was placed on the
market and bids were received for car
rying out the work thoroughly in keep
ing with the old portion of the build
amount available by $4,000.
Another attempt was made, after
scaling down the specifications, and the
lowest bid was s49,S62. The treasury
department, however, insists upon a
contingent expense fund in each build
ing case. which in this case ran about
S., 800 Therefore it was impossible to
erect the extension for the amount bid,
unless change was made in material.
Following out this idea, the treasury
department then authorized the use of
the northwest corner, where the new
addition was to be.
When Mr.. Murdoch and Senator
Long heard Of this, they Immediately
went to the treasury department and
protest vigorously against the use
of brick. The Wichita building is
really a very attractive one, and the
use of brick for the addition would
mutilate and destroy the general
effect, they said.
The treasury department was very
sorry, but, as the bid had been ac-
cepted and the contract let to Frank
H. Latimer of Kansas City, and work
about to begin it did not exactly see
what could be done. Mr.. Murdock
and Senator Long still protested, and
tlIIldLeQ Cn6y WOulu IcLIleT nave no
addition than have the whole build
ing destroyed and become an eyesore.
Then there was much red tape to be
unwound, and at the last report it is
still being removed, with the posi-
bility that, in due time, the bid may
be recalled, the contractor may make
some mendments, and, as last re-
sort, Senator Long may secure some
more money from congress to erect
the addition of material in keeping
with the main structure.
Attacks Scott's Budget
A circle of strong men in the
house of representatives and some
newspapers are trying to attack the
agricultural appropriation bill. as re-
ported by Chairman Charles F. Scott,
on the ground that it is the only
budget Of the session that exceeds the
estimates of the department for which
it appropriates This is almost un-
heard of, and cause CONSERVATION
for generally appropriation COM
mittees scale down estimates or leave
them at least, at about the figure
asked Mr. Scott is not at all
alarmed, and promises a series of
speeches in the house that will justify
himself and his committee. Other
wise than in the amount appropriated,
the general opinion is that the bill is
the best ever reported by the COM
mittee on agriculture.