Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-13

the total rent figures which nave pre-
scented include the rent OF certain Dulid-
ings in the District used for school pur-
poses-bui!dings which properly SHOULD
not come within the scope of my remarks.
The figures also include rent for stables
and So. OCO used by the Agricultural De-
partment this year. but which may not
be needed hereafter. These amounts,
though are easily covered by the saving
in administration in the the other de-
partmen:s not mentioned.
Cost of Proposed Buildings.
Having thus covered the situation. !
desire TO emphasize my original state
ment that all the departments and bu-
reaus Of the government now located in
rented buildings can be housed In build
ings owned by the government at a
rental rate of :, per cent per annum until
the sa id buildings are paid for. 10 do
this I desire 10 give estimates showing
what such structures would cost. These
estimates are in the rough but approx
mate the actual cost. Money would be
needed a s follows:
Commerce and labor. ................ * gDo $50
Justice and State. 2W9. ooo
Hall of records. .....-............ 20oO nSO
Auditor Offices. 3Ou HU
bureau printing and engraving. 2.l50. 600
post office work shop Observation-Disclosures. 500. 900
t,ansuS hui,dirr ' $780, 900
This cost is estimated exclusive OF site.
But. as ] stated before, the sites OF
number of these buildings will have TO
he purchased by the government at some
future date for parking purposes. so their
cost should not really he counted Oh. But.
allowing for the cost OF sites, six millions
Of dollars would more than buy all the
land needed for each one of these build
ings and then we have Wenty-million-
dollar Investment. on which amount the
present rental would pay per cent The
twenty millions easily covers any increase
Of cost OF any OF the buildings. for six
millions will not be needed in the pur-
chase of sites.
But this is not all. Two departments
and one bureau have given rough esti-
mates of saving in administration total
of $136, 200 Add this to the amount paid
out In rent and we have a total expense
during tn, fiscal year ending June 30.
1905 Of 1862 COO. This. Mr.. President. Is
q per cent interest rate on So. 100000
Should We hesitate?
Nations Pride in the City.
But even this is not all. Washington
Is beautiful city. In travels which have
extended almost around the earth I have
| seen none more beautiful. Americans are
proud of 1t and they come here from all
over our broad country. They travel up
and down our streets and feel that they
have a part in every public building or
park they see. And the American likes a
handsome public structure He is proud
Of the Congressional Library. for ex-
ample. and would be pleased with more
buildings OF "a eimlar order He likes to see
beautiful parks: he il proud Of them. I do
not believe that dollar of money which
has ever been expended in buildings needed
| for the government work, even I'm beau
tifying the city. has been criticised by the
taxpayers Of the United States. The WISH
| tors return to their homes and tell their
friends and ne!xhbors of the beauties OF
the Capital city. OF the handsome build
ings that our country has erected, of the.
conlmodious quarters In which some OF
our clerks are housed.
But If they happen. In their sight-see-
ing cars to pass. for instance. the Depart
ment OF Justice. what a beautiful pros
pect Is presented! What a magnificent
building Is pointed out as the home of
the Spanish treaty claims commission.
What magnificent quarters as part Of the
workshop OF the Department Of Commerce
and Labor! Do you not think that these
Americans go back homo and tell their
friends ali about this? They draw COM
par isons between these departments and
| he othe- departments which are housed
in beautiful and conmodious buildings
And those comparisons are not TO our
credit.
AS ! stated before, d, not believe
!. that the expenditure OF Q single dollar