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.
FAVORED BY COMMITTEE
Smoot Proposal Provides Only for
Structures Here, at Cost
of $5o,oOO,000.

The Smoot bill authorizing the ex-
penditure of s5o,ooo.o0O for the con-
struction Of buildings needed by
the government in the District Of
Columbia. was considered by the
Senate committee on public build
fngs 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 a diff
ference of opinion, however, as to
whether the bill could be passed for
buildings in the National Capital
alone, in view of the demand being
Senate and House for an omnibus
public buildings bill.
Referred to Subcommittee.
THE bill was referred to a sub
committee consisting of Senator
Reyes Of New Hampshire. chairman;
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
housing for the government depart
ments and bureaus. 1t will ascertain
just what the saving to the govern
ment will be through the erection of
the proposed buildings.
Personally am convinced that the
program laid down in the bill intro
ouced by Senator Smoot, as chairman
OF the public buildings commission. Z
would result in great benefit 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
where lease of one of the buildings
rented by the government expires.
there is a demand for an increase in
rent.
at is high time, in my opinion, also,
that we should do something for the
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
offices and other kinds of public
buildings in every state in the
Union.
THE President. however, has ex-
pressed his opposition to an omni-
bus bill at this time" continued Sen
ator Fernald, though he has recon-
mended to Congress the passage of a
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 1 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 it.
There has been no omnibus public
buildings bill passed since 1919, ami
there is very strong demand for aew
buildings for the government in all
parts of the country. Such q bill
would run into a 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"