The Washington herald., 1909-01-21

President Roosevelt is due for another
scolding at the hands OF Congress.
Judging from the manner IN which Sen
ators and Representatives received the
word yesterday that a council had been
appointed By the Executive to advise the
government on public buildings. the mat
tar vii undoubtedly be thrashed out at
the Capitol IN a few days
Those who heard Of his unprecedented
action expressed surprise az the Presi-
dent for usurping one OF the few preroga-
tives OF Congress While none Of the
Senators had been officially informed OF
the order transmitted to the heads Of the
various departments. the news spread
rapidly
lnEsH uch as every appropriation for the
erection o. 6 government building names
a special committee 10 select the site and
attend 70 the other details. this action
Of the President in creating a permanent
commission does not meet with favor.
Acted without Authority.
It IS pointed out that President Roose-
velt acted without sufficient authority in
taking this important step.
There was a general opinion expressed
By members OF the District Committee IN
both Houses that the Chief Executive. IN
promUigating the order, had usurped the
powers OF Congress
The Senate, which in considering Sen
atOT Rayner's resolution concerning the
libel suits. had shown a disposition 10
call 1t square with the President. so tha-
his administration might end in apparent
harmony with the legislative branch otl
government. has been deeply stirred NJ.
the Presidents action in calmly ab-ids-
ing the functions Of Congress and re-
heving it OF duties II has performed. from
the beginning Of the government
The Presidents action is more than
ordinary oUtre. and calculated 70 arouse
Tic ire OF the Senate. in that Senator
NewIands introduced a bin on Tuesday
% convert the Office Of the SuDs -visiD.-
Architect into Bureau OF Public Bud
iHts and Arts with the present Super-
v-s1ng Architect as the first director OF
tie new bureau. and an advisor. council [
II. thirty members OF the professions a.
painting. sculpture architecture. land
scape gardening. and the like
Ihe council 10 be appointed bv the
President are selected from names sub
nltted By the American Institute Of
Architects. In other words. Congress
hac under consideration a bin which. II |
PASSED would have given 10 the Presi- /
Gent practically what he has taken with /
no ones leave. This bin was referred 10 4
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds. OF which Senator Scott IS
CHAIRMAN and there Is reason 10 believe
II would have been favorably. reported.
May Bury BIZ.
Il may be said now with absolute Ger
tainty that the bin will either never be
heard from or viii be reported adversely. |
Aside from the merits Of the bin. there
IS no doubt that the Senate viii feel frs
dignity as a branch Of the general legis-
lative body, and the necessity Of placing
q bound TO Executive legislation viii de-
mand that it should not be favorablv
considered at this tine.
Senator Scott would make no COM
Tnent on the situation, further than 10
say tGat he was at a loss 70 understand
in what manner Congress had oTsn5e5
the President in its attitude 10 the sub
ject Of public buildings and statues
which had always been one OF consciaD-
tious iiberaliJy and marked by great con
cern for the artistic harmOnies.
The executive order issued bv the
PRESIDENT directs all heads OF depart
ments IN the government 10 take .no
step toward formulating plans for auv
buildings OF grounds or for the location
OF erection Of any statue" without first
submitting the question 10 the council
OF hne arts, as the new body. Is called
Council Roster.
The council appointed by the President
consists Of the following:
Architecs-Czss Gilbert. c G-sut l. F.--.
Na--er Cook. William A. Boring. s B. p TO-
51cse- John G Howard. Gls-H Brown. T7o7rs ;,
AiUl6all. John L MauTsn. D. y Burnhz-n- Job7
u Donaldson. GeoTse B. Post Arnold ~ R7r7-
"a Rooert " PEABODY Charles F. NcKi-. vv7r
an 5. Eames. jams Rush Marshall Ah-sr C,s--
ed. Efs7k Miles Day William g. M,7ndie s,i
:. Howard Walker
Painte-s7John Ia Fsrse. F. D. Miust- z H
8lashfeld- and Kenyon Cox
ScJLpt1rs-Daniel Q French Herbs-+ Adams !
A. MRcNeil. X. 7. Bitter
Landseare architect-FredeTick Law Ofns-e5. II
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