Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-30
PHILADELPHIA MAY GET
NEW CUSTOM HOUSE BY
"OMNTBUS" MEASURE
Congressman Moore Asserts Item
Will Figure if Such a Bill
Is Reported This
Session
RESERVE IN OLD BUILDING

| WASHINGTON. June 3O.--"I am con-
| Vlnced that II an omnibus public buildings
olll is reported to the House at this session
| OF congress there positively will be a pro-
Ilston tor the purchase of new customs
mouse tie and the beginning of work on
the structure carried in the measure"
That was the statement made today by
Representative j. Hampton Moore, who in
troduced a bill several months ago for an
appropriation Of 100000. 1t is probable
that the b'll will not appropriate the full
amount asked but Representative Moore
w'il be satisfied II the present bill carries
enough for the purchase of the ground nee
essary and the commencement of work;
The Treasury Department has virtually
said 1t would be useless to undertake the
work with an appropriation of less than
S75O.OOO," sad Mr.. Moore. 1.-THE purchase
of the ground and the building would cost
Sl,6OO,OO0, according to Treasury Depart
ment estimates"
1t Is considered certain that the Public
Buildings and Grounds Committee will re-
port public buildings measure calling for
appropriations of more than $25, 900 900 at
this session of Congress
That such plan is favored by a majority
OF the members of the committee has been
shown repeatedly In recent weeks. Instead
OF reporting separate bills for projects that
are admittedly meritorious. the committee
has held them to incorporate in the one big
the support of the individual members for
the omnibus bill can be held in order that
they may get favorable action on the
particular projects in which they are
interested.
When asked whether there is not less
chance OF getting the Senate to act favor
ably on an omnibus public buildings bill
than there Is in the House. Representative
Moore said:
"The Senate Is as human as the House"
There Is some doubt whether President
Wilson would sign a public buildings bill
even though II should be passed by both
Houses OF Congress. Early in the present
session he passed the word to the leaders
that he did not want public buildings
measure enacted. The unusual appropria-
tions for preparedness have made many
members opposed to obligating the country
to further expenditure
The plan to use the present Custom House
as a Subtreasury and a Federal reserve
bank headquarters, proposed by Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Byron r. New
ton meets with the enthusiastic Endorsement
of officials and banking house authorities in
this city The proposition that would re,
suit in the preservation of the old structure
and at the same time give to Philadelphia
a much needed and more commodious Gus
tom house is one back of which Philadel-
phians solidly stand.
III was suggested IN a letter reau Dy Con-
gressman Moore to the House Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, in support OF
the measure for new custom house, which
provides 81 ,000.000 to obtain a new site and
start construction a new building, the
cost not TO exceed a total of 100000 900, |
The letter OF Assistant Secretary Newton |
leaves ii possible for the Government TO |
make future use OF the historic structure |
that has outlived its usefulness for present |
1t was the home OF the Bank OF
the United States,
Richard l.. Austin, Federal Reserve agent |
in this city today declared that the Custom |
House would make an admirable building |
,or Federal Reserve bank. and that II |
Is no longer adequate for the needs OF the |
cuftoms officials Mr. Austin said:
at think the Custom House building
would make a very good Federal bank
building. and 1 know that the custom OFF,
rers have not sufficient room TO conduct the
of a port the size of Philadelphia
In the old building Something should be
done TO give the custom officers more room
and II new Custom House is finally de-
,Ided upon the present building would make
! fine bank"
others familiar with conditions as they
,xist today were enthusiastic in their sup
,ort of the project advanced by the Wash
ngton authorities. All agreed that -DS
resent building is incommodious and not
Il all adapted TO the present needs OF the
erylee.