New-York tribune., 1919-02-16


a countrywide activity the like of Y
There are on file to-day at the
Treasury Department at Washington
plans and specifications for nearly 200
buildings of one sort or another, estl-
mated to cost about S104,000,000, all
of which have been authorized by Con-
gress as parts of general approprla-
tion bills. These structures include
several buildings for governmental de-
partments at Washington, postotfices,
court houses, custom houses, jails.
and a variety of other buildings rang
ing in cost from few thousand dol
lars up to millions. They are to be
erected in practically every part of
the country and represent about the
largest building programme the Gov
ernment ever has had before it at one
time except the work of military con-
struction.
Many Structures Planned
Most of these buildings were the
subjects of violent attacks in the past
by those who believed that the United
States Treasury should not be used for
the personal aggrandizement of ind
vidual congressman, but despite all
protests Congress passed the bills
which provided for their construction.
That all was prior to the war. When
the country found itself in a position
where it had to conserve its financial
resources the then Secretary of the
Treasury ruled that there should be
no wartime construction of govern
mental buildings, and there the mat
ter still stands. Plans and specifica-
tions were prepared for all structures
for which competitions were unneces-
sary. All that work has been COM
pleted, and the erection Of the build
ings is waiting merely on the letting
of contracts.
In the case Of the three larger build
ings for the city of Washington, one
for the State Department, another for
the Department of Justice and the
third for the Department Of Com
merce, competitions have been held
plans and specifications approved anc
everything has been made ready tt
proceed with tho work Of construction
All Of these buildings having beer
approved will be erected at some time
and though many of them are consid-
cred quite unnecessary and some of
them an actual waste of money. they
can serve the commendable purpose
of reviving the building industry i
started at this time. To delay thei,
erection would defeat the best purpos,
they could serve, and should they bt
erected later on, when the building in
dustry has gained momentum through
its own unaided efforts, they nigh
bring harm to the industry by causin
competition for labor and materials.
Government Big Factor
There is well-defined MOTTO
throughout the architectural and buile
ing world that the government is itsel
the "key log in the jam" For the las
SIX weeks the Department of Labo
has been carrying on an active cam
palgn to have private and public in
teIests all over the country star
building They look askance at tn
skilled building mechanics who ar
idle, both those released from the re
turning army and from other kinds O
work, and foresee the most distrcssin
conditions if these men are not give
employment. But the Department. q
Labor campaign is getting nowhere be
cause capitalists and builders fear tn
future. They know that everv build
ing they could erect during the mex
three to five years would be tenante
as soon as it could be completed. an
that on basis of rentals, provided N
cost was normal, they could expee
good returns. But everyone is so ur
certain as to cost that none will sta,
operations.
IN other words, it is necessary mr.
only for the Government to berin N
construction programme, but It ais
must map out and adhere to a defnit
pollcy regarding the employment
iaoor and the purchasing of material
~ also must change its method =
handilng general contracts.
AZ mas been the practice during N
past for all Government work 70 =
oohe on cost plus percentaoc has;,
oucn plan at this time would h
IS'hous; IL would lead to the navmen
o. exoroitant prices for materials en
aeo .aooI ana would have the effect .
n.a;moaro,zing nr;m war prices, under wb;c
private builders could not afFord m''t {