The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-26
VERYCOSTLYBLUNDER
The Three Million Dollar Building Erected for Use
 of Congressmen
(By Clyde H. Tavennerl

 Especial Cores. of The Farmer.)
 Washington, Oct 26-Those Demo. cratic members of Congress who for the past sixteen years have been ac- customed to daily Republican vail on the subject of alleged lack of bus mess ability among Democrats. will De amused to learn that the magni- ncent marble structure erected for the use of, the Congressmen as an office building, has been declared a monu- mental blunder by the Republicans under whose direction 1t was built.
 This structure, which is externally beautiful and which cost three million dollars, has been the source of in- numerable complaints on the part of its occupants. Republicans and Dem> ocrats alike, since the day it was opened. These complaints were based on the ridiculous arrangements of the building; its lack Of space for present use, and the failure of the Commission which designed it to make the slight- est provision for an increased mer1- bershfp in the House, and the conse- quent necessity for additional office space for the new members.
 K And now, as a result of these com plaints, the building commission which has charge of the structure, is work ing on plans for changes which will give the tCongressmen better office ar- arrangements, but which admittedly will make the office building. inter- nally at least, an architectural joke.
 The office building is built in the form of a hollow square, and extends about 125 yards on each side Hence, if Hon. Jones, whose office is at one corner wishes to borrow a fountain pen from his friend, Hon. Smith. whose office is on the same floor. but 7 a nY hi ;S essary to walk about a third of mile to accomplish that purpose. But as he. walks down one long hallway and then up another, he can glance through the windows to the court, formed by the hollow square and re- fleet that if the Agriculture depart ment ever wishes to establish an ex- pertinent farm, the court, will supply plenty of area for that purpose.
 Each member has a single room for an office, and this fact has caused more complaint than any other feature of this monument to Republican bung- ling. Frequently when member wishes to. speak privately to a visitor. On matters which he doesn't wish even his secretary to know about, it is necessary to take the visitor into the hall and walk back and forth therein until the discussion is ended. The plans now on foot contemplate
 
 office, which, while they will give the Congressman privacy when he desires it will force upon the toiling Secre- taries the necessity of working all day long under artificial light as each of flee has but one window and the par titions necessarily will cut off all na- tural light for what are to be the improvised rooms.
 The new lemberS-thOSe who are to come in under the provisions of the last census, are to have their offices on the roof of the present building. The readjustment plans call for a row of offices, to be built like dove coles, around the inside edge of the hollow square. There is to be no elevator service above the present top floor. the fourth, so the new members will have. to climb steps on the final leg of their journey to their new offices. This feature is expected to make a hit with those of the new members who happen to be constructed along Sereno Payne lines.
 And for this architectural monstros- ity the Republicans paid out three millions of Uncle Sam's perfectly good dollars