Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-27
URGES
GOVERNMENT OWNED
POSTAL BUILDINGS
Millions Lost in Leasing Struc.
lures Says Assistant Post
master General.

Washington. - Correspondence of
The Associated Press.)-Every post
office building in the country should
be owned by the government and the
old system of leasing buildings should
be "scrapped." declared First Assistant
Postmaster General Bartlett, in voicing
dlsapproval of a system which made
it necessary for the postoffice depart
ment recently to lease at an annual
rental Of more thar 81 900. 900 a large
structure for mail in New
York city. Mr.. Bartlett said that the
government could save millions if a
common sense business program could
be laid before congress with a fair
chance of inducing that body to appro-
pirate a sufficient sum each wear for
purchase instead of leasing buildings.
No Appropriation for Purchase
The ~postoffice department has suffi.
clent funds to lease any building to be
necessary to the proper conduct of the
postal system, it was explained. but no
appropriation is available for the pur.
chase of a structure. Plans recently
were completed providing that the de-
partment should lease a building in
New York city for 20 years at a rental
of S25.OOO.0O0. Had the department
been permitted by congress to purchase
land and erect its own building, the
whole transaction could have been han
died for about SS.00O.OOO. Mr.. Bartlett
explained. adding that at the end of the
2O-year period the government would
under the lease the government will
be out S25.OOO,OO0 and have nothing
to show for it at the expiration of the
lease.
The whole system is radically wrong
and should be changed at once the
assistant postmaster general said.
Each year congress should set aside
a certain sum to be used in the con-
struction of buildings and gradually as
leases expire all over the country the
department would find itself the pos
SCISSOR of a system of splendid struc-
lures. This method would result in
the saving of millions of dollars to
the public. In many instances the
government is made to pay exorbitant
rent. For instance. the department
will lease a building in q small COM
munity for 10 years. and because of
the postoffice site property in its vicin-
ity will increase in value. the popula-
ton of the town nay increase tenfold.
and when the lease expires. the owner
of the property very frequently de-
mands about three or four times the
original rental and we are Obliged TO
pay it or look for some other prop
erty."
Opposed Renting
Mr.. Bartlett said he opposed the
action of the joint postal commission
in recommending the lease of the New
York building. The commission felt.
however. it was said. that congress
would likely oppose such a move at this
time and suggested that in view Of the
congested conditions in the metropolis
a lease be negotiated.
In this instance Mr.. Bartlett said,
1.-The owners of the land and those who
will erect the new building which is
to be used as in annex to the present
postoffice building. will be obliged TO
pay taxes. borrow money at the rate
possibly of ! per cent. and meet other
conditions which. of course, would not
have 10 be observed by the govern
ment. The same condition prevails
drought the United States and the
sooner congress and the people realize
what it is costing in dollars and cents
the sooner corrective measures will
be taken