The Washington times., 1916-07-08
PLAN TO BUILD HOMES
FOR FEDERAL OFFICES
New Building Commissioners All
Seek to End Payment Of
100000 Rentals.
CONTINUED From First Pase)

fundamental proposition that the United
states ought to quit paying rent"
Senator Sutherland of Utah, another
member of the commission, Is strongly
convinced that Uncle Sam should be his
at 10 outrageous" ne said vigorously,
that we are renting buildings all over
Washington to house our governmental
activities am IN fsy0e Of q buauss
house our departments and employees
even II we have to issue bonds to pay
for the cost Of the structure.
Tho United States Government In
this city is like lusty boy, about
grown. who Is trying to wear a suit
made for him when he was six years
old. His knees and elbows are showing
and he 10 bullying out on all sides. That
is just the predicament of the Govern
In washington. Our building has not
kept pace with our growth.
"1nvaluable records are stored in rented
structures all over the city. Some de-
partments have branches or bureaus In
a half dozen different places.
II am particularly insistent that there
shall be a hall OF archives constructed
here. We should not treat our records
possess financial value. but they are
Of great sentimental and historic value
and belong to future generations.
important Government records In
this are. today in dry attics. where
paper to fade or fall apart. or they are
In cellars where the dampness 10 de-
stroying them. A hall Of archives is
* sufficient number of buildings.
constructed along symetrical and
beautiful lines and in sseplns With
should be erected here to enable the
rented building. That is what I be-
than 100000 per year rent. A bond
issue probably wouldn't be necessary.
t aSs S %HSG ave Which would cost in
the aggregate quite a number OF mill
lions"
Details Still Nebulous.
Congressman Frank Clark, chairman
OF the House Committee on Buildings
and Grounds, announced himself un-
alterably in favor of more Govern
ment buildings.
THE object OF the commission" said
hensive plan for furnishing the Gov
eminent sufficient room to do Its
business. believe we should take
care of every governmental activity.
authorizing whatever construction
may be necessary.
THE plans. OF course. are not even
in a formative state as yet except
that we are probably Of one mind that
the Government should cease paying
rent and erect whatever buildings may
be necessary. The building scheme.
OF course. must be In harmony WIN
ti h Capitol and other Govsrnmen.
structures here.
Good Business Proposition.
The business appeal Of the PROPOSE
tlon may be appreciated when you re-
call that we are paying more than
$500 900 a year in rents. That is per
cent interest on s2o.0O0.0oo Why should
the Government. owning land In all
parts of the city. 20 out into the rent,
buildings. Let us build our own home
for every department and branch OF the
United States Government In the Ma.
tional Capital. That Is the way l feel
about what the eommission should do y,
Tennessee. another member OF the new
commission. said:
TT is a reflection on our Government
that we have not constructed a sufi-
cient number OF buildings here to take
The United States Government should
not be a tenant In its own capital. !
have been in favor OF the Government
ownership OF departmental buildings for
many years. There is hardly a depart
ment that Is properly or completely
housed.
II am for whatever appropriation
may be necessary to construct our own
buildings. II IL disgraceful that de-
partments like Justice and Agriculture
have offices here and there about tho
city. and they are typical of other de-
partments. No other great government
fails TO provide ample room for its own
activities.
IT am in favor OF a strong report for
the immediate construction OF hand
some. commodious buildings to put
every department under Its own roof
and to provide against growth for years
to come"
Superintendent Woods in Sympathy.
Elliott Woods. superintendent OF
the Capitol building and grounds.
said he would gladly serve on a COM
mission to study the Government
building question in this city. Mr..
Woods explained that he did not de-
sire to be quoted at length. having
just been notified that he would be on
the commisfI on. but he expressed
himself as strongly In sympathy with
the movement to have the Govern
ment quit it's rented quarters In this