Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-17
S. TYSON kINSELl
On Need for a New Federal Building

On Need for New Federal Building
THE erection Of n new federal building to
l. house oil government Offices and activities
in the city under one roof Is urged by s.
Tyson kinsell, national vice president of the
Federation Of Federal Employees and prcsi
dent Of the Federal Employees Union of this
city. 1t would mean. he holds, not only i'm
proved working conditions for the employees.
but improvements in the mechanism Of the
government, the convenience Of the public.
economy, co operation and co. ordination 10
n greater degree and the elimination Of
waste and extravaganza.
I'm discussing the need for n new federal
building in this city, said Mr. Kinsel. u
nm doing SO as the chosen representative OF
thousands Of federal employees who compose
the membership Of the organization which
represent. These men and women are in tho
main persons who have run the gantlet OF
the rigid civil service tests establishing their
fitness for public service.
CONTRARY to the opinion held in some
quarters. these employees ore not alone in
terestcd in increased wages and better work
ing conditions but realizing that they nre
a vital and component part Of the public
which in the last analysis pays the bills,
they advocate improvements in the mPchan-
ism Of the government. in convenienCes for
the public and economics which will improve
the service. concentrate and 60 ordinate
forces and eliminate waste and extravaganza.
Problem Is Old One
THE need for new federal building in
this city is not new problem. Prior to the
late war the agitation on several occasions
developed to the extent OF survey for teuta-
tive sites. Risors Of the war required the
devotion Of all interests TO the great issues
at stake. and plans TO the ends under con
sideratiOn herein were of necessity tempo
rarilv abandoned.
However, with the return to penCotme
pursuits the revival Of interest in the needs
~ 1 .,l,at Al
COMMUNICATIVE commercial, economic and
industriaI-must be- given the consideration
which the situation drmands In our great
city, for example, which is the scene Of rnnnv
and varied governmental activities. during
the last fiscal year rentals amounting 70
more than 800 900 were paid 10 house Vari
GUS branches of the federal service in build.
ings outside Of those occupied and 10 which
title is held by the government; and having
due regard for the outlook respeCtinr the
housing problem, the public treasury is not
likely to wax fat on reduction in rentals
during the next year.
Therefore, the federal employees who com -
pose the Philadelphia branch Of the National
Federation OF Federal Employees contend that
such a sum would go far toward the CARRYING
charges OF new building. They are advo.
eating its erection not only as n matter of
economy. but with tho conviction that +be
best interests, of the government and the
public demand il. They believe II viii bo 10
greater ultimate profit and advantage 10
build aud to own and to scgrcgatc under ono
roof related and interdoprndent government
Offices thnn to continue to pay rent
Branches Too Scattered
In Philadelphia, like other largo citica
throughout the United States. are domiciIeI
branches of nearly every line Of Govern =
mental activity, and the ramihrations of tho
federal service are many The building
owned by the government for tho housing oI
these varied services are few. and the low
are antquated, notably such landmarks ns
the old custom house in Chestnut strea,
(which should be retainedD and the nost
office building in Ninth street. The former
in addition to accommodating in crnmnni
quarters the subtreasury, also houses thS
administrative Offices of the customs .ervico
On the main floor Of this building skirtinO
either side Of the corridor leading To the snhe
trensury, one will observe two largo incio.
surcs set of by ante bellum types Of Woo,
and iron grill partitions, behind which nrG
located
ron the east side, the navigation dIvision
with it's sections for the entrance nnd cIenr.
onrc of vessels, as well Hs the section for tb,
dorumpntng and enrolment Of stcamshins
Here also will be found the section for IN,
numbering and licensing Of motOrboats TIKI.
does not complete the appointments by any
means. for such space as remains IL Gpnor
tioned to the warehouse division, the dreu,
| back division the liquidnting division anf
! tho mariners passport division with tL,
| rn.hicr, office crowded into Il hole In fin,
will in the southeast corner.
In the west side inclosurc will be found on,