The sun., 1918-01-03
M'AD00 BAN ON
PORK PALACES
He Takes Public Building Pro-
grammc Away From South
crn Democrats.
WILL SAVE $15,OOO.OOO
Any New Construction Must
BE Based on Imperative
Necessity.
WILL SAVE $15,OOO.OOO
Special D<spatcA 10 TIM sux

WAsHiNGToN, Jan. 2.--In the interest
Of economy Secretary OF the Treasury
Mc.Adoo to-day took the public buildings
programme away from the Southern
Democrats who rely on this and the
two other pork bills 20 hold them In
their seats n the House. '..-,zsf
There will be no moro public buildings
built during the war. The programme
for this session Of Congress is a dead
letter. and only those buildings and cx-
tensions Of building actually under con-
truction may be completed. This was
tho word sent to the Capitol TODAY by
A.r. McAdoo
The Administration is looking closely
into the rivers and harbors measure and
the misleading flood controv' bill. which
is merely high sounding title behind
which operates a gigantic scheme for
expenditure OF money for the reclama-
ton of thousands OF acres OF M!ssissippl
River bottom and assorted swamps
throughout the South.
The persistent fights which have been
made against river and harbor bills in
the past have succeeded in holding the
appropriation down to s20.OOO,OO0, with
the expenditure Of the money under the
direction OF the War Department in
stead OF specific sums of money. being
allotted to various projects. II appears
certain that this will be the ultimate
amount allowed this year. and II is
doubtful il it will mount even that high
Effect Of Order.
The effect Of to-iay's order is to nut
a stop to carrying out contracts for pub.
lie buildings unless tho Assistant Score
tary of the Treasury having supervision
over public buildings can be convinced OF
the absolute necs ssity OF going ahead
with the contracts. This is true even
though the money has been appropriated
for the building and the contract let.
Tho move to-day will save the Govern
ment about $1o.o00.O0O. II is estimated.
'Because OF the unprecedented de-
mande which the war IL making on the
national resources" says Secretary Nc
Adoo, 'the policy shall he observed OF
curtailing expenditures for other pur-
poses as far az possible without detri.
'nent TO the public interests"
southern representatives read in this
legislation not only tho doom OF the
public buildings programme during the
war specifically suspended already but
the failure Of their pet projects along
other lines.
Outline Of Policy.
Under Secretary McAdoo's order these
details are included:
"Ali extensions Of buildings, the
urgency of which Is established to the
satisfaction OF the Assistant Secretary
in charge are to be placed on the mar
ket for bids at as early date as practi.
! cable and carried to completion.
"All buildings and extensions Of build
ings now under construction arc to be
| completed.
No additional sites are to be selected
MARINE hospitals, quarantine and i'm.
migration stations being convertible into
, army or navy hospitals or other wa,
uses. construction work and improve
ments thereon or in contemplation In
connection Herewith arc to DO carried
on as rapidly as possible.
''In all other cases where sites have
been acquired or contracted for the work
Of the supervising architects ONCE iI
preparing designs. plans. specifications
etc, Is to be carried OH to the point OF
readiness to advertise for bids for con,
struction. In these cases. however. ne
bids are to be solicited without further
\ orders"