The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-03
TWENTY MILLIONS
IN BUILDINGS BILL
Omnibus Measure Will Con-
tain Appropriation for
T. Postofhce.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
MAY GET NEW HOME
Committee Trims Pork Barrel to
One-siXth of Amount Asked
for BY Members.

An omnibus public buildings bill, car
rying a total of approximately $1,000
900 and including an item authorizing
the beginning of the work on the new
Washington pOstoffice, is TO be reported
from the House Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds before the end
of the session. A new home for the
Geological Survey also may be author
lied
There has been considered by the COM
mi,tee bills calling for buildings and
sites in practically every Congressional
district in the country, the total amount
asked for by ambitious Representatives
being more than S125.OOO,OO0 With a bill
carrying less than one-sixth of the
amount asked for, il has been found
hard matter to appease everybody. In
addition this is campaign year, requir-
ing more or less pork"
Authorizes Sites Only.
When the bill is finally drawn it is
understood that 1t will contain a large
number Of appropriations for continuing
improvements and for the purchase of
sites alone. The amount allowed for the
Washington postoffice building probably
will not exceed that absolutely neces-
sary TO carry on the work through the
hscal year 1911 In many districts pur-
chase of sites will be authorized.
This plan gave the member an oppor-
tunity TO urge that inasmuch as ne got
the site he Is the proper person 10 be
returned TO the House to obtain later
the building.
The committee. while it has reached
no definite decision concerning a new
building for the Geological Survey. is
said to look favOrably upon the plan
to authorize the erection of an indie
pendent home for this important branch
OF the service A site, just south of the
State, War and Navy building, has been
selected for the new building and is now
Government property. The Geological
Survey now occupies a rented building
on F street, the annual rental being
about $4,000.
Site Already Purchased.
The new postoffice building which the
committee will authorize. is to cost in
the neighborhood of $35,OOO,O 200. and will
he located on the site between the
Union Station and the Government
Printing Office. II viii be magni-
fcent structure. entirely in harmony
with the imposing design OF the Capitol,
Senate office building, and the Union
Station, all in the immediate neighbOr-
hood The site upon which the city
postOffce Of the future will stand has
been purchased by the Government.
1t is figured that the erection Of a
pOstoffice within quick access Of incom-
Ing and outgoing trains will result in
the saving of nearly an hours time in
the delivery of every piece Of mail mat
ter. In addition to containing the offices
and equipment Of the city poStOfhce, the
building also will house the mail bag
reIlair shop, now in rented quarters. The
OF ices of the Postmaster General and
his assistants will remain in the build
ing at Twelfth street and the Avenue,
and a substatiOn Of the postOff1ce viii be
maintained there
The definite decision of the House
committee to report an omnibus public
buildings bill allayS the fears of many
REPRESENTATIVES whose constituents are
cIamoring for home Improvements.