Evening star., 1923-02-25
NEW WU,S. BUILDINGS
CALLED VITAL NEED
ArchIves, Internal Revenue
Il and Justice Departments
Require Homes.
S21,OO0,O0o RENT BILL
Langley Declares Leased Buildings
Present Serious Menace in
Many Ways.
100000 RENT BILL

The economy and efficiency program
OF the federal government demands
tnat a federal archives building. a
home for the internal revenue serv-
ice. for the Department Of Justice and
Tor the general accounting office
should be included in a general public
buildings bill which must be enacted
by Congress at the earliest possible
opportunity. Representative John w
Langley. chairman OF the House COM
nittee on public buildings and
grounds, told the House yesterday.
He discussed an omnibus public
buildings bill in which practically the
entire membership is interested He
emphasized the fact that the govern
1hent Is paying annual rental of SCI
100000 for buildings in which to
house federal activities because OF
the lack of government-owned build
lngs. Chairman Langley asserted
tHat many of these rented buildings
Ero non -fireproof, unsanitary and
wholly unsuited for the purpose and
that the government is practically at
the mercy of real estate profiteers,
who charge from 8 to 16 per cent
pTOIl on their investment.
Ten Years. Delay in Building.
Representa- Langley quoted
Statements from the Postmaster Cen
eral and the Secretary of the Treas
ury showing the alleged deplorable
conditions existing throughout the
country, resulting from a 10-year de-
lay il enacting public buildings
bjll He severely criticized the prac-
rice of renting these buildings and Of
contracting with private parties for
7heir construction and rental by the
government for a term Of years. Rep
fcSentatlVe Langley alleged that in
numerous instances there Is practi-
cally no competition. He charged that
officers of the executive branches of
the government were forced to this
course. because of the inaction of
Congress. although these officials
conceded the unwisdom of it.
According to the Postmaster Gen.
'ral." he said, these congested con-
hitions impair the efficiency Of the
ltothing of the danger of the health
ot the employees by reason of their
unsanitary surroundings.
Could Snve on $500, 900 900.
Continuing. Mr.. Langley said. "a
great hue and cry was raised about a
pork barrel raid on the Treasury
when ! stated some time ago that
less than s100.000,000 would not even
approach relief of the situation. As
n matter of fact. taking the prevailing
rate of interest on loans to the gov
ernment. we could borrow and expend
for public buildings S500,000. 900 and
san save money on the items OF in
Icrest alone He advocated the prompt
--nactment at the next session of a
comprehensive public building pro-
Sram which would take care OF the
needs of all sections of the country.
We do not favor the erection of
colossal monumental buildings, but
they should be substantial, roomy,
ti"cproof, of the factory type such as
business men are using" said MIR.
Langley. Referring to the last recon-
nendation of the joint postal COM
mission made to Congress yesterday,
Of s20.000,00O a year for the govern
ament building program, Mr.. Langley
said that this Is absurd and practi-
cally All affront to Congress. He said
that this commission serves just
about as useful purpose to the gov
eminent "aS the appendix does to the
human body: that it is frequently irri-
tating, but never conducive to health" ."
He recommended speedy surgical
operation. Severing this commission
from the body of the government be-
foe suppuration sets III.