Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-19
Three Departments to Have One
or More Structures.
SCOTT INTRODUCES TIE BILL
Secretaries Of State, Justice, and
Commerce and Labor Named Com
mission With sf5,ooo,ooo to Provide
For Themselves Business Homes on
Site South Of the Avenue.

Washington. Feb left Senator
Scott, Of West Virginia, has his way,
as chairman of the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, Con
gress will appropriate the sum Of $50
100000 for the erection OF a building
or buildings for the Departments of
State. Justice. and Commerce and
Labor, on the site south of Pennsyl-
vania avenue now occupied by Chase's
Theater, the Regent Hotel, and other
business and residential properties,
ground for which has already been
acquired by condemnation proceed
Senator Scott yesterday introduced a
bill to this effect.
The question Of whether one build
ing or three shall be erected to ac-
commodate the three departments will
be left for the commission of three
cabinet officers most interested
created by the bill, to decide.
Supervisor of Construction.
The measure provides for the
selection of a supervisor of construc-
ton and under its terms either army
engineer officers or the superintendent
of the Capitol are made eligible for
this duty. The bill declares that the
construction shall be carried out I'M
der the direction of an officer of the
government especially qualified for
this duty" The consent of the head
~ 4ba daportpoopt undo,. whom tho of.
ficer is serving must be obtained for
him to act in the specified capacity.
When the officer is supervising the
construction of the new building or
buildings it is provided that he shall
receive an increase of 25 per cent over
his present salary, so that this berth
will be good one for some one in
the government service.
The Gossip.
Gossip yesterday was to the effect
that several buildings would be erect
ed, thus giving each department a
home of its own. 1t is expected that
there will be little delay in the passage
of Senator Scott's bill, and he said
yesterday that as the drawing of the
plans would consume much time there
ought to be as little delay as pos
sible in passing the appropriation
measure. The cost of the plans is to
be paid out of the s15,e00,0O0.
Cabinet Officers to Decide.
The bill is specific in requiring that
the building, or buildings be erected
on "the five squares south of Pennsyl-
yania avenue" etc. and absolute dis
erection is left to the heads OF the
three departments as to what in their
language of the bill. suitable and
comodious fireproof building, or build
ings whichever in their opinion may
best meet the requirements of their
respective departments
All the bureaus and offices of the
three departments are to be housed
on the FIVE blocks, and it will, there
fore, be necessary to provide quarters
in the building. or buildings, for the
Bureau of Labor the Census Bureau
and other branches of the depart
ments now scattered around town.
The bill was referred to the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and
Grounds, of which Senator Scott is
chairman. The titles to the parcels
of land involved are now being ex-
amined with a view to payment to the
property holders of the awards in the
condemnation proceedings under
which the government acquired the
site for $2.50000o.