Evening star., 1923-04-14
PLANS $15,0DO,OQO
us. BUILDINGS HERE
TO SAVE BIG RENTS
Commission to Ask Appro-
priation of Congress on
Economy Basis.
SHERRILL HOPES WORK
CAN BEGIN NEXT WINTER
Revenue, Accounting and Archives
Offices Are First on the
List.

To meet an absolute need. and 10
save the federal government millions
of dollars in lost revenue and in
rental costs yearly, a public build
lngs program for the National Capi-
tai. amounting to approximately SIS
100000, is going to be urged upon
Congress Immediately upon it's return
by the Public Buildings Commission
This was decided at meeting OF
the commission yesterday, which had
before it survey of the present ac-
commodations in government owned
buildings. and found them only about
80 per cent of immediate requirements
to house government activities in
government-owne buildings.
In the order of relative importance
the buildings for the erection of which
the commission decided to ask Con-
gress to appropriate money to be
made Immediately available are:
Internal revenue building at least
100000 square feet of floor space re-
quired, estimated cost $500 900, to
be erected on the government-owned
site north Of the munitions build
| ing at 2lst street between B street
and New York avenue.
General accounting office building.
requiring $4,000 square feet, esti-
mated cost of $3.150.000, to be erected
on the square beside the inter
nal revenue building.
Department of Justice building. re-
! curing at least 10000 square feet
| at an estimated cost of s225O.0o
| probably on a square east of 18th
! street between Pennsylvania avenue
and b street. all of which property
is now reserved for government
! buildings
National arcl;,-as t,,;1l;,r aas.:5
! plans for which have already been
! laid before Congress by the super
| VlS!ng architects office, the site
| originally selected for which is be-
/ tween 18th anu 18th streets and L
| and Z streets northwest.
Expect Quick Action.
The public buildings commission
believes that this public buildings
program viii be acted upon by Con-
gress so that work can begin next
| winter. according to Lieut. Col Clar-
ence O. Sheriff., engineer officer in
charge Of public buildings and
grounds: Representative John W.
Langley, chairman of the House com
mfttee on public buildings and
| grounds. where the legislation is ex-
/ pected to originate, and other mem
| berS of the commission.
The matter will be presented to
! Congress as absolutely necessary for
| the proper conduct of the govern
ment'S business. The com mission re-
ceived testimony from Supervising
require three buildings as large as the
main Trea sury building to take care of
the internal revenue work alone,
THE whole program is absolutely
Lieut.. Col. Sheriff.. "and still other
| buildings are required, but these at
least must he provided at once Lack
of adequate accommodations for the
internal revenue service is costing the
government at least s1,000000 a year.
| Lack of accommodation for the con
| troller generals office is costing the
government at least S2o0.000 an
nually.
The Attorney General is now forced
| to occupy a rented building that Is
| entirely inadequate. 1t is imperative
! that new structure be provided. Be
! sides lack of room where he is now
J located, the government is forced to
pay an excessively high rent while
i the owners are impatient to get the
! Department of Justice out of the
building at 18th and X streets and
Vermont avenue, because they can
get better rent from it for private
| offices. Delay in erection of a De-
partment of Justice building is cost
ing the government at least 100000
a year.
Offices Scattered.
THE Department of Agriculture is
suffering more than Congress or the
public can be made to believe. Its
activities are scattered all over the
business section of the city, increas-
ing the costs of operation and dtmin-
ishing efficiency while high rental
charges have to be paid. We are
| anxious to move the forest service
from the Atlantic Building on f
street. but after careful study or
the government-o buildings we