Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-26
FITZGERALD VIEWS
Gives Reason for Opposition to
Public Buildings Bill.
NO DEMAND NOW, HE SAYS
Declares Architect Is Behind in
Work Already Provided For.
PARTY MUST KEEP FAITH
"Win Be Judged by What It Does,
Not by What It Promises"
He Wisely Ayers.
'ARTY MUST KEEP FAITH

Declaring that the democratic party
will be judged by what It does, not by
what it promises" and that faith must be
kept with the country and public expendi-
lures reduced instead Of increased, Rtp
resentative John ]. Fitzgerald OF Broo :
lyn. n. Y, today made a statement in
opposition to the demand for a public
building bill at this session of Congress.
The public buildings and grounds COM
mfttee of the House, Of which Representa-
tive Sheppard of Texas IL chairman,
voted unanimously a couple Of weeks ago
to report a Observation-Disclosures public
building bill. Mr.. Fitzgerald Immediately
expressed opposition, and at the demo-
cratic caucus held last Tuesday on the
iron and steel bill endeavored to secure
the adoption of resolution declaring
against any public building measure al
this time. The resolution was not con-
sidered then, but q special caucus will be
held next Monday 'evening to discuss II
and to decide upon the economy program
for the session.
In his statement today Mr.. Fitzgerald
declared that Communities anxious for
public buildings would be grossly misled
by the enactment Of a public buildings
bill at this session. and it cannot be
justified by any sound policy of busi-
ness. finance or politics"
Mr.. Fitzgerald explains in detail the
present condition with relation to public
buildings. pointing out that the office or
the supervising architect of the Treas
ury is already nearly three years behind
in its work. and that any buildings au-
thorized at this session could not possibly
be begun until the end of a three-year
period.
Mr.. Fitzgerald's statement follows:
Statement Of Mr.. Fitzgerald.
Opposition to public buildings bill at
this session of Congress is based upon
facts which have not been given much
publicity.
Public buildings acts were approved
June 6. 1902. March 3. 1908. June 30. 1905.
May 30. 1908. and June %. 1910.
Under those acts APT sites were au-
th0rized to be purchased; 1S5 buildings
We're authorized on sites then owned by
the United States; 49, sites were pur-
chased and building authorized at the
same time; 124 additions to existing
buildings were provided. and the limit OF
AT present there are 1911 contracts for
the construction of buildings now in
force. of which 1874 are new buildings and
twenty-seven extensions or additions OF
old or existing buildings.
plans are being prepared for ninety
seven projects, seventy-three Of which
are new buildings and twenty-four are
extensions. No contracts for the con.
struction Of these buildings have beer
prepared or made.
plans for sixty-three of these build.
ings are being prepared In the ofice OF
the supervising architect of the Treasury
Department. and plans for ten OF the
projects are being prepared by outside
architects.
There are 2s0 projects authorized,
which plans have not yet been COM
menced.
Time Required for Plans.
'The supervising architects Office il
able to turn out plans for projects at
the rate OF ten each month, so that II
will require at least two years and six
months to prepare plans for the build
ings which are now authorized by law
There are in addition 172 sites for
buildings authorised to be acquired
some Of which have not yet been ac-
quired, and for none Of which have
buildings been authorized.
ITO complete the public buildings now
authorized will require appropriations of
$27. $50. 100.
During this session of Congress ap-
preparations amounting to $13,OOQOO0 to
carry on the work now being conducted
will be necessary.
Of the buildings now complete and &C.
cupied amounts to $5.943. 600 per annum.
1T is impossible to increase the output
of plans of the supervising architect
increasing the cost Of operating the Office
about IS per centum. After a thorous Oh
study Of the situation the Treasury De-
partment believes such increases would
be unjustifiable
"For the current year Congress has
rio TOD fov =.
558 1890; for the fiscal year 1911. pa.
756,52O; for the fiscal year 1910, $19.015.-
5000; for the fiscal year 1909. $14, sos,
625.61. and for the fiscal year 1908. $14.-
$50, 252 -.
No Buildings for Three Years.
.If a public buildings bill were to be
passed at this session OF Congress prep
aration of the plans for the buildings
authorized could not be commenced until
the expiration Of at least two years. and
the buildings themselves would not be
commenced within three years at the
earliest.
1.-THE Treasury statement for January
81 discloses q deficit in ordinary receipts
and disbursements of $25.0l3. 56l, which
indicates deficit Of at least $4O.O0O.O0
during this fiscal year.
authorizations for all projects other
than those absolutely imperatively re-
quired in the transaction Of the business
Of the government should not be made
Until the finances OF the. country are 80
adjusted as to bring the expenditures
within the income. That Is the most i'm
portant duty confronting the democratic
House. and 1t cannot be done II authori-
cations are to be made such as are con-
templated in a public buildings bill.
Communities anxious for public
buildings would be grossly misled by
the enactment OF q public buildings bill
at this session, and it cannot be Justt-
fed by any sound policy OF business,
finance or politics.
ITO keep faith with the country and
to reduce expenditures requires cur
tailments, instead Of new authoriza-
tions. The democratic party VIII be
Judged by what it does. not by what
it promises"