The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-14
M'AD0O CLAMPS LID
. ON PORK BARREL"
Local Need, Not the Appr0-
: priatiOn. to Govern Size :.
Of L. s. Buildings.
POLITICIANS HARD HIT

WASHINGTON. July i3.-secretary Me-
Adoo has aimed a blow at the pork
barrel" He issued an order to-day
which, II enforced. will put an end to the
practice OF erecting costly Federal
buildings In little town. where Con-
sressmen hope TO garner a few votes.
This form Of pork barrel has been
described as the most pernicious OF all
and millions OF dollars have been wasted
each year.
a Other Secretaries OF the Treasury
'have tried to curb expenditures In this
direction. but have failed. Legislation
has been passed. but ignored. Mr. Nc
Adoo,s effort will, Therefore. be watched
here with "A good deal Of interest. His
order will stir up plenty OF resentment
In Congress.
The TIRE asury oficials contend that
when Congress passes a bill appropriate
ing money for a public building IL re-
mains discretionary. under the custom
airy form OF the legislation, with the
executive oficers as to the amount OF
the total appropriation that shall be
expended. The usual form of the legis-
lation Is that Congress appropriates a
certain amount. say $500. 900, to be used
In the erection OF a public building, the
cost mot to exceed the figures named.
The Treasury ofhcials construe the ref
erence to cost as giving them discre-
tion as to the amount
what the secretary says.
Some Congressman are likely to dis
pute this. but advocacy Of "a pork bar
rel Is not likely to be popular at the
next session. with a Treasury deficit
staring them in the face.
Assistant Secretary Newton made this
announcement
"Under the old system buildings were
constructed TO 1T whatever appropriation
!Congressmen were able to get for their
towns. practically regardless OF whether
or not the building was adapted to the
actual conditions and requirements OF
the locality and the Government service,
As a result of this system small villages
often got costly and elaborate stone
structures where they were not needed
and other localities. less fortunate, and
where increased facilities were greatly
needed. were given inadequate buildings
or none at all. Under this system Con-
gress authorized by the score post office
buildings costing $50. 900 to $4,000 in
towns where the total receipts OF the
post office would not pay for the main
tenance of the building when erected.
Secretary Mc.Adoo proposes hereafter
to construct in IA locality such a building
as local conditions and the present and
future needs Of the service demand and
not to be governed entirely By the size
Of the appropriation. BY application OF
this method 1t is believed that hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars will be saved in
the construction Of buildings already au-
thorized by Congress. but not yet re-
ported by the architects office.
Big sum saved.
For the past two years the Treasury
Department has been following the same
general business policy In the purchase
Of post office sites. The public build
the purchase Of 900 public building sites
In various parts Of the country. To date
only 1856 OF that number have been &C.
Quired. and in the purchase OF these
sites the Departments invsriable policy
has been to acquire sites only In towns
where a post office is actually needed.
and not to pay one dollar more for the
property than 1t is actually worth. ~
q result Of this policy the Government
has acquired 1876 parcels for $571,715
less than the amount Congress author
Tied to be paid"
Secretary McAdoo in the order issued
to-day established Justification for
public buildings including four classes
based on population and extent Of o
eminent business to be transacted
therein. Into one Of these classes all
public buildings will fall, according as
they meet the test he prescribes for
them.