The Washington herald., 1913-02-16
Carrie. x25,6i3.SOO.

Representative John l.. Burnett Demo-
Crat. of Alabama, chairman OF the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
introduced the bill-the pork barrel-car-
rying with 1t an appropriation OF go
6i3 500 for the authorization. construction,
enlargement. remodeling, and improve
ment of public buildings in all quarters
Of the United States.
As promised. the bill was carefully
loaded Ii has been framed with the
evident intention OF satisfying so thor
oughiy the local demands OF the MEM
bers of Congress on both sides of the
House and in the Senate. without regard
for politics or affiliations. that the ways
for its launch into the placid waters OF
statutory law were thoroughly creased.
The reception of the measure by the
members of the Committee on Appro-
priations especially Chairman EItzser
aid. was by no means gratifying 20 the
promoters of the pork barrel project.
Thus late in the session, 1t Is pointed
out by Chairman Fitzgerald. there re-
manned but two days in which to bring
the bill before the House. one of these
methods is through suspension of the
rules either on Monday next, which Will
be the first suspension day. or in the
period of the suspended operation of the
rule, closer TO adjournment time. =
second method would be to have the
Committee on Rules report favorably 4
special resolution setting day Tor the
discussion of the building measure.
Mr.. Fitzgerald is irrevocably opposed
to the enactment Of a public building
bill at this session. The responsibility
for admitting the measure to the consid-
Grafton of the House. therefore, devolves
upon two men. Either Champ Clark, as
Speaker Of the House. must he willing
to recognize a member TO move the sus-
pension Of the rules in favor or the pub
lie building bill. or Robert l.. Henry OF
Texas must call the Rules Committee
together and bring in the necessary rule
As usual. the bill Is filled with items
for the satisfaction of constituencies, re-
gardless of the actual means of the cities
and towns for which public buildings
are provided. The bill is literally
sprinkled with instances OF the appro-
priation of sums ranging from 1000 to
$4,000 in places where present accom-
of United States post offices
or other Federal offices in rented build
ings cost less than 81 900 annually. Mr..
Burnett's own home town. Gadsden.
Ala. is very modestly provided for with
an $500 building. This. in view of the
size of Gadsden and the annual postal
revenue of the place. is far more modest
than some of the other items.
Some OF the PIums.
Representative Ashbrook is the Ohio
of the Public Buildings and
Grounds Committee. and notwithstand-
ing the previously recorded generosity of
the committee toward the Buckeye State
there are found on later pages of the
bill the following additional Ohio items:
coshpcton post office 5000: Washing
ION Courthouse. $4,000; Martins Ferry
post-office. $500; Kenton post-office,
FSo,ooo: Gallipolis post-office, s75,OO0
Pennsylvania recent conversion from
a rock-ribhed Republican to a doubtful
State 10 celebrated with n series Of ap-
and authorizations arranged
In a single block in the bill providing |
Tor tine expenditure OF $1.1 900 in fifteen
separated cities and towns
The support of Representative Under
wood for the measure apparently IL So |
icited by the inclusion in the Burnett |
bill of bill introduced as separate
measure several months ago by the Ways !
and Means chairman. This bill provided |
for an appropriation of 100000 to build |
a post-ofiice, at Birmingham, Ala, but |
The building was also to include Federal |
Courts and the Internal Revenue ColIec-
tors office.
Mr.. Fitzgerald described the situation
IN his own committee with regard to the 4
public buildings bill by citing the in
stance Of one of its Middle Western men, !
bers who was approached by a member
Of the Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds.
What is your home town. asked the |
public buildings man.
"Blanktown.' replied the appropris-
lions member.
But you haven't an item ON this bill, !