Evening star., 1923-02-20
, SENATORS LAUNCH
MOVE. TO retain
us. DORM|TOR|ES
Public Buildings and Grounds
Committee Favors Contlnu-
Ing Hotels.
WILL SEEK AGREEMENT
WITH PROPERTY OWNERS
Secretary Davis Calls Conference to
Devise Means for Saving
Hostelries.

The Senate committee on puolic
buildings and grounds is prepared 10
propose legislation which Will insure
continuance of the operation Oh Ihe
government dormitories Of the woman
employees Of the government on tne
Union station plaza, 1t was announced
by Senator Fernald, chairman ioi-
lowing a meeting of the commlteee
today.
The committee had before 1t ROD
ert Watson, president OF the untea
states Housing Corporation "hish
has charge OF the government oof
tories He was instructed by the
committee to confer with the attor-
news Of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road, which owns part of the prop
erty on which the dormitorles Afe
located, in an effort to reach soHe
nSreement for a continuation OF the
issse Of the property. The govern,
nrnt's lease Of this property expired
last November. The railroad com
pany is seeking the removal OF .ia ING
dormitorieS, so that II may hhoii' "'
pose of the property. o.. N.
Mr.. Watson is to report to the
Senate committee as soon as possloie
the result of his negotiations with
the B. & .. attorneys.
Fayors Retaining Buildings.
Senator Fernald said today that
he was strongly in favor or the re-
tention of these government dorma-
tories for the government women
workers for at least another year or
two, and that the sentiment OF the
committee was also in favor OF con-
tinuing them. He said that there
were two courses that could be adopt
ed, one of which was TO proceed 70
condemn the property Tor the use
of the government and tne othel
was to lease 1t. He said that ne pc
iieved that 1t would be preferable
to continue the lease at present.
Mr.. Watson explained to the com.
nnittee in detail the situation re-
Earding the B. & @. proPerty' oP tty n,',de Ihe :
ings used by the woman workers
are located on the B. & 0. property
and it would be impossible TO op-
crate the plant without these build
ings, Mr.. Watson said.
Secretary Davis In Conference.
Secretary Of Labor Davis 10 meeting
this afternoon with Mr.. Watson and
other Labor Department officials In
which the government may retain use
of the land on the Union Station
plaza now occupied by the govern
ment hotels. The Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company. owner OF part OF
the land occupied by the hotels,
has ordered the property vacated by
The Labor Department takes the
attitude, the Secretary OF Labor salo,
that the hotels should be continued
in operation for at least another
year Removal. as suggested by the
railroad company, of the buildings on
the land owned by the railroad would
80 cripple the enterprise. Mr.. Davis
added. that probably the entire prof.
ect would have to be abandoned; .,,.
time considering recommending TO
Congress passage of an appropria-
tion to pay rental due on the prop
erty owned by the railroad company;
Such q recomme ndation, he pointed
out, could hardly be considered at
the present session of Congress. in
view Of the involved legislative situ-
alton.
Back Rental Promised.
The railroad company is sure to get
the money due 1t for rental. Mr..
Davis added, and the Labor Depart
inent and the railroad company
should get together and work out
some plan by which the hotels
might be continued in operation and
the owner of the property withdraw
it's request for REIMBURSEMENT Of its
use. The demand for the continuance
Of the hotels, he said. Is shown by
the fact that they are now full to
capacity and have a waiting list.
Secretary Davis, following the con-
ference this afternoon. will write a
letter to the agents Of the railroad
company outlining the views Of those
present at the scheduled conference,
and will probably request an extern
pany had previously refused.