Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-02

tSpeciaD.-For many years it has been
the settled policy of Congress to pro-
vide public buildings for Post Offices,
Court Houses, and other structures for
cities and large towns throughout the
country.
TWO years ago a bill was unani-
mously passed appropriating upwards
of $27,0OO,000 for that purpose. 1t
was conceded to be one of the fairest
and most equitable bills that had ever
been passed up to that time, and was
50 regarded by every one throughout
the country no matter to what politi-
cal party he belonged
The bill which has just been signed
by the President, after having passed
Congress by practically unanimous
vote only four recording themselves
against it, carrying appropriations
amounting, in the aggregate. to more
than Thirty Million Dollars is another
equally as good as the one already
referred to.
The bills for public buildings and
grounds. like those for rivers and
harbOrs, have been for years humor-
ously designated as Pork Barrels
both by Members of Congress, and the
public, generally; and yet these bills
are passed by n unanimous vote in
both Houses of Congress, composed of
members of all political parties, and
approved by q President in full
sympathy with the policy of internal
improvements which has been followed
for SO many years. But the term
Pork" as we see it i'm the headlines of
the newspapers is apt to carry an
erroneous impression. There is no
doubt but what the policy of the
Government relative to the erection
of public buildings, and the improve
ment of rivers and harbors has come
to stay no matter what political party
may be in the ascendency.
The Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds of the House of Repre-
sentatives is composed of seventeen
members: ten Republicans and seven
Democrats. Bartholdt of Missouri is
Chairman and Governor Burleigh of
Maine is the ranking member, and
presides in the absence of the Chair
man Mr. BarthOldt had served
several terms on the Committee before
Governor Burleigh entered Congress
eleven years ago, and, in fact, was a
of Maine was Chairman.
The Committee is divided into six
sub-committees. Mr.. Bartholdt and
Governor Burleigh are members OF
subcommittee No. l, to which the
other five committees report. These
reports are taken up by this COM
mittee on Revision and carefully re-
yised before the items are placed IN
the general bill.
CONGRESSMAN Burlcigh is chairman
of subcommittee No. 2, which mas
charge of matters relating to the
States of Alabama, Connecticut,
Georgia. Louisiana, Maine. Massachu-
setts. New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode
Island. and Vermont. 1t will be seen
that the Committee takes in all of New
England and also four other large
states. 1t was necessary for Chairman
Burleigh to consult with every MEMBER
from these states and with many ne
had several interviews before just
agreement was reached SO that pc
fore the bill was finally reported GOV
Rurleigh in his capacity as ranking
member of the full committee as Il
Member of the Revisory Committee
No. 1 and as Chairman of Sub Com
mittee No. 2, came in contact with
every member of Congress. The Dill
when completed represented hVe
months Of close application to work by
members of the committee Ihere
was absolutely no politics in the max
ing IN of the bill and it is a note
worthy fact that after the last two
bills were passed, that of two years
ago. and the one just signed by the
| president, not a single complaint came
hack to Governor Burleigh
The items for Maine cities when APP
near in the bill just passed are very
strong as compared with similar places
throughout the country. The approprl-
otion of one hundred and twenty thou
sand dollars for post office in Water
vile was based upon one OF the strong
est statements that was presented 10
the committee from any state. Inc
postal receipts from the office last year
We're UPWARDS of $4,000. 1t VIII be
seen that the receipts for two years
would more than pay the entire cost ol
the building.
It always happens that the Senate