Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-03
OPPOSITION FEARED
FOR BUILDINGS BILL
FernaId Sees Demand in
Both Houses for Omnibus
Measure.

The Smoot bill authorizing the ex-
penditure of s5o,o0o,000 for the con-
struction of buildings needed by
the government in the District OF
Columbia. was considered by the
Senate committee on public build
ings and grounds yesterday.
There was no opposition to the
bill in the committee" said Senator
Fernald Of Maine, chairman. follow
ing the meeting. There was off
ference of opinion, however, as 70
whether the bill could be passed for
alone. in view of the demand being
made part of many members Of the
Senate and House for an omnibus
public buildings bill.
Referred to Subcommittee.
THE bill was referred to sub
committee consisting of Senator
Keyes Of New Hampshire. chairman:
Senator Shipstead of Minnesota, anu
Senator Mayfield of Texas. The sub
committee will consider the measure
from the point of view of the neces-
stiles of the federal government for
ments and bureaus. 1t will ascertain
just what the saving to the govern.
ment will be through the erection OF
the proposed buildings.
"PerSOnaliy / am convinced tnat INC
program laid down in the bill intro
odced by Senator Smoot, as chairman
Of the public buildings commission,
would result in great beneht to the
government AT present the govern
ment Is paying about 100000 a year
rent for buildings it uses here. The
Agricultural Department, for exam
pie, is using forty-five different build
ings, of which twenty seven are rent
ed quarters. In nearly every case
!, 1on ,,f ~ hn hIvi n prH
rented by the government expires.
there is demand for an increase in
rent.
ut is high time. in my opinion, also,
Capital city. We have permitted Its
parks and public spaces to be marred
with unsightly structures ever since
the war. This city should be made
the most beautiful in the world"
Senator Fernald said the demand
for an omnibus public buildings bill
was very strong in both houses. He
has before his committee 300 separate
bills for the construction OF post
offices and other kinds of public
buildings in every state in the
Union.
1.-THE President, however. has ex-
pressed his opposition to an omni-
bus bill at this time" continued Sen
| mended to Congress the passage of q
measure similar to that offered by
Senator Smoot.
May Frame Measure.
ut is possible that Representative
Langley of Kentucky. chairman OF
| the House committee on public build
| ings and grounds. and l may Join in
| the preparation of an omnibus bill to
! be introduced late in the present ses-
sion. but not to be considered and
passed perhaps until next year. when
| the financial condition of the Treas
ury may warrant 1t.
! There has been no omnibus public
| buildings bill passed since 1913, ana
there is very strong demand for new
| buildings for the government in all
parts Of the country. Such q bill
| would run into very large amount
| Of course. Building costs have in
/; creased enormously since 1913. On
, the other hand, the day has gone by
| when expensive and ornate post office
| buildings, etc, resembling Grecian
temples, are to be erected. The archi-
lecture Of any new buildings that
may be constructed will be simple
| and such as to meet business needs.
| This change in style of architecture
| should go far toward reducing the
costs OF construction"