Evening star., 1923-08-17
PRESIDENT FAV0RS
ARCHIVES BUILDING
Mr.. Coolidge, However, Is
Represented as Opposing
Large Program lust Now.

While strongly in favor OF the early
construction of federal archives
building as we'll as new structures
to house the Department of Justice
and the State Department In the Mall,
south of Pennsylvania avenue near
18th street. President Coolidge will
not approve the passage at the next
session of Congress of general
public buildings bill. At least this
is the opinion OF those who have dis
cussed the matter with the President
since he assumed Office. 3..
President Coolidge Is known to be
especially well acquainted with the
public buildings Question: and those
close to him feel certain that he does
not regard the need great enough al
present to warrant large expend-
iture of public money.
Intfmation to this effect was given
by the President during a long con-
terence today with Chairman Lang
ley of the House public buildings
committee and Representative Clark
the ranking democratic member OF
that committee. At the same time
the President received the intima-
tion from these callers that unless
there Is general public buildings
Dali put through at the next session
there viii be no change for the en-
actment or bills providing for the
archives building and for any other
lndlVldual government building.
Great Demand Seen.
Chairman Langley told the Presi-
dent that there is a great demand for
public buildings throughout the
country, and that to frame a bill to
adequately answer the needs would re-
quire an appropriation probably as
large as s15o.OO0,oO0 or $4,000 ,oOe
He explained to the Executive that
there had been practically no public
buildings constructed since before the
war, and that many of the buildings
now being used are not only made
Quate to properly house the govern
ment's workers, but in many cases
are unsafe and fnsanitary. He ex-
planned further that the government
is spending large sums of money an
nually In excessive rentals in an en-
deavor to meet this building short
age.
Representative Langley said that he
Is greatly pleased to see the Presi-
dents familiarity with the building
subject and also with his deep in
terest in the matter.
Arlington Bridge Discussed.
During the conference today the
matter Of the Arlington memorial
bridge. for which designs are now
being prepared, was touched upon
briefly. Mr.. Coolidge, as President
is honorary president of the Arlington
Memorial Bridge Commission and
during the progress Of its material
ization will necessarily be closely
identified with it's developments.
The President is holding confer
ences daily with departmental heads
and chiefs of the several independent
agencies of the government to be-
come more familiar with the work
ings of these branches OF the govern
ment as we'll as to give assurance
that the policies approved by Presi-
dent Harding will have his sanction
The President yesterday and today
conferred with members OF the Civil
Service Commission regarding a mum.
Der of matters, the moro important
of which being in connection with or
ders which the commission has de-
sired issued by him extending the
provisions Of the retirement act OF
May 20, 1920, to certain employees and
officers serving permanently In the