The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-04-18
Also For HarbOrs and the
Health Service of the
United States.
PUBLIC WORK is URGED
Department of Labor Issues En-.
cOuraging Statement on the
Work That is Ahead-Urges
Prompt Action.

Washington, April 17.-An encour
aging statement comes from the de-
partment of labor that despite the
faiiure OF congress to pass several
appropriation bills, at the last ses-
sion the federal government is still
In position to take the lead in con-
struction Of public works and build
ings. State and municipal authori-
ties from one end OF the country to
the other, have been urged to pro-
ceed with public works so that the
problems of reconstruction may be
met more easily.
The federal government finds that
1t has large funds for good roads.
rivers and harbors and certain con-
structions of the public health SER
vice. 1t is shy, however. on money
for the construction of postofices, in
various sections and it is asserted
that the failure of the last congress
to provide for the building program
of the treasury department is hold
Ing up about $50 projects. Almost
every state in the Union is represent
ed in this list Of deferred projects
which would involve expenditure on
the present basis on material and
labor cost, OF about $23,0OO,OOO.
Many OF these projects were contem-
plated before the war and money ap-
propriated to cover the construction
costs on the then prevailing prices.
Estimates at that time showed these
buildings would cost approximately
$16,50O,00O. The present estimates
are about $6,00O,OOO more and be-
fore the work can be undertaken
congress must appropriate enough
money to take care of this increase
in building costs. There is little
doubt but that the next congress will
take care of this.
Road Building Fund.
The spending of $3.50, ,OOO,O 900 an
propriated for federal aid for road
building depends upon the several
states. Some are Fastening to avail
themselves OF this opportunity TO en-
JOY federal assistance in building
state roads; other states appear to
be slow to take advantage OF the op-
portunity. However. the money is.
or will be available and the federal
government is anxious that states
make the most of their opportuni-
ties during the current year as road
building will do much to stimulate
business and to provide buffer en-
ployment for labor until the indus
trial transition from war to peace
has been effected.
Congress passed the appropriation
for $9,050.000 for new hospitals and
improvements to old ones needed by
the public health service, and this
building activity is being rushed and
will be under way by the end OF the
year. Some of these projects will be
under construction by midsummer.
More than 100000 are involved
in the maintenance and construction
work set out in the rivers and har-
bors appropriation bill passed by the
last congress.
The harbors and rivers improve
ment work takes in almost every
section of the country. much of ii he
ing planned for the southeast. the
Atlantic coast and the Pacific states.
More than s1.OOO.OO0 will be spent
along the Mississippi river, approx
mately 100000 on the Ohio river
and about 100000 along the Mis-
souri, river, This work. 1t is under
stood. will go ahead regardless of
cost Of material and labor costs and
should prove an important factor in
making business good in the hum
dreds OF localities where such work
is undertaken by the government.
Public Health Program.
The building program of the pub
lie health service. to- meet the re-
ou'rements of soldiers and sailors,
taking advantage OF it's privileges
under fhe war risk service. calls fol
remodeling and additions to hospn-
al properties at Camp Cody, NJ NJ.
Camp Hancock. Ga; Camp Joseph
f. Johnson, Fla; Camp Beauregard,
La; Camp Logan, Tex; Camp Free
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