The Washington times., 1914-04-30
ASKS QUICK ACTION
ON BUILDING PLANS
Commission Recommends Ap-
preparation and Abandon
ment of Renting System.

The public hldings commission. ap-
nointed year ago to prepare plans
for standardizing government building
construction, i'm its first report to Con-
gress today strongly recommends and
urges upon Congress prompt appro-
priations for the construction OF the
contemplated buildings for the Depart
ments Of State Justice aud Commerce,
on the land already purchased for that
purpose The commission also rec
ommends that all Of the activities of
the Government in the District of Col
umhia shall be housed in Government
buildings.
the work of the various departments
about the city in rented buildings.
many of which are of unfit and insan-
itary character" the report says. is
wholly indefensibIe froVI any point of
view 1t increases expense and pro
notes ineffciency. This important
matter should receive the early and IA
vorable attention Of Congress. Some
Of these buildings. authorizations for
" hich have already been made, are the
Archives building. the Patent Office
building and the Geological Survey
building.
II is recommended that appropriations
be made for plans for these buildings.
sion is signed by Secretary Of the
Treasury McAdoo, Senator Swanson OF
Virginia. Congressman Clark of Florida,
and Congressman Austin Of Tennessee.
Senator Sutherland of Utah agrees with
the report except as to a salary item for
proposed commissioner of public
buildings and an Increase in pay for
the supervising architect. Attorney
General McReyRolds did not sign the
report hut suggested that the Govern
ment's Luil1ing operations should be
placed in charge Of a practical business
man OF large affairs, who should be
raid $4,000 year.
Makes Minority Report
Postmaster General Bur'eson made a
detailed minority report, in which,
while concurrins in the plans for push
ing work on buildings in Washington.
he dissented from the view OF the ma
icrity that the ste ndsrdization plans
should relate only to future work, and
not 10 work already appropriated for,
but which the supervising architects Of
fee has not been able to reach, and 10
the plans for commissioner of public
buildings.
The commission declares that Con-
gTess shares with the Treasury Depart
ment the responsibility for the acCumu-
lation of si5,000,00o in public building
work and an crsaniZa ton which is plac-
ing il under contract at a rate of less
than 81, G00.o00 a year, while the yearly
authorG !zations run over Sl2D0.O00 a
year. The decrease in the output of the
Supervising Architects Office. il as de-
ciercd. dates back three years. when
decreased appropriations mace il neces-
sary 10 dispense with siXty-siX Of the
az employees.
To relieve this situation the commits
sion recommends that provision b" made
for the organization OF bureau OF pub
lie buildings. at the head OF which shall
be placed 4 commissioner of public
buildings at salary of $500 I year.
The salary of the Supervising Architect,
II is recommended. now 5000. he In
creased to $3.50 a year. 4 Chairman OF
a board of estimates and property. at a
salary OF 1850 year. also is provided
for and eight more supervising super
lntendents OF construction in the field.
To BE- in charge Of the same number of
zones. :he salary of such officials 10 be
$50 year.