Evening star., 1923-02-09
.S5D,0DO,0l0 ASKED
FOR u. S. BUILDINGS
Secretary Mellon and Dr..
Work Submit Estimates
Covering 19 Cities.

By the Associated Press
Estimates to provide suitable quar-
ters for the housing of government
activities in nineteen cities. where
federal rentals now aggregate $2.5O0,-
900 annually. were submitted to
Speaker Gillett of the House Of
Representatives today in a Joint
letter by Secretary Mellon Of the
Treasury and Postmaster General
Work.
In the nineteen cities more than
$60,000.000 would be required for
buildings to take care of the postal
service and activities of the internal
revenue and Veterans bureau. now
conducted in cramped spaces. Todays
recommendations are in addition to
list OF 40 cities where additional
federal building space is required
submitted December so with estimates
aggregating s45,6o6OOO.
Map Out Long Program.
1t would seem wise to map out
program covering a period Of years"
the cabinet officers stated in their
letter. whereby relief would be pro-
vlded first in places where the con-
geStlon is greatest and where large
sums are being paid for rental space
in privately-owned buildings. There
acquisition of sites, where not already
owned by the government, making Of
surveys. preparation of plants, etc,
will require considerable time, there
fore. 1T would not be necessary to ap-
propriate a large initial amount to
commence the work of relief if the
authorizations should be made.
Because of the failure of the gov
ernment to keep pace with its build
ing needs in the larger cities. the
Post Office Department has been
forced. in a number of instances, to
enter into agreements for leased quar-
ters In buildings to be especially con-
structed for the purpose. The rent
paid in such cases is frequently at a
rate to absorb the original costs dur
ing the term of the lease. leaving tn
government at the expiration of the
leases with no equity in the buildings
Nc Extra Space.
Furthermore. the building so
leased by the Post Office Department
naturally do not provide space for
other activities. it's appropriations
such additional accommodations
Space for this purpose, however. could
be provided at comparatively small
| increase in cost in connection with
buildings. or extensions to buildings.
constructed by the government. Pn
some cities congestion iii the federal
buildings is bad and is increasing at
a rate which will result in few
years in the rental of space unless
/ the government provides additional
housing foc the service
S2O,ss0,O0O Annual Rent.
The government now is paying
rent throughout the country totaling
! s20,ss0,000, for housing the activities
of the Post Office and Treasury De-
partments principally, although the
Veterans Bureau and other govern
nent departments are occupying
rented quarters. The increase of
government business in various cities
due TO the normal growth in popula-
tioa. makes necessary more space to
conduct that business.
The government activities in the
larger cities showing expansion are
the parcel post, rural carrier system
collection of direct taxes, enforcement
of prohibition and direction of the
Veterans Bureau.
The estimates submitted today in
clude:
Boston. 100000: Brooklyn, $780,
900: Newark. y. J.. 100000 SPRING
field Mass. s1,750.OO0: Worcester,
Mass, s6o0,O0o; Pittsburgh. $2,250, 900; !;
Cincinnati, s1,15o.o Scranton, Pa,
cago. s1O,750.000: Detroit, s3.e50,-
900; Louisville, s5So,O0O: Minneapolis,
81 100000; ST. Paul. $1,000, 900; Alex
andria, La, 100000: Salt Lake City.
5000. 700; San Francisco, $4,000 Gin
Guiding sale of subtreasury); Los An
geles. $5,000.000. and Seattle. $4,000
900.