The Washington times., 1925-08-13
Common Sense VS.. Reduction in
Taxes and Political Play
By BILL PRICE

By BILL PRICE
The President and virtually all members of Congress agree
that il poor business the United States to spend about
wear for rented buildings to transact public
bnsines when the Government should buildings
II ia admitted on all that at least should
be spent District Of Columbia for new administration
buildings replace eraps and ramshacke structures that
would not alleys One vitality necessary pubic build
ing here hall of records for historic valuable documents
held by the Government in all sorts OF places which may be
destroyed by the and tear of the elements
has been frequently pointed out that the United
Figure what the annual interest would beso new buildings
costing $250o0OOO and then figure what the Government
losing in actual money not to speak OF the time ost In
government activities being scattered all the city in
stead departments and bureaus being housed together In
suitable structures especially planned for Government pur
poses.
big and successful institution anywhere in the
country would put stop to this sort thing in quick order
Yet we from House leader that
there viii be public buildings bill at the next session
involves direct appropriations for that The Repub
can and Democratic politicians both yelling for tax
ducon and put the burden of the cost future
bringing about lower taxes doesn't make any difference
how the reduction at the expense OF
common sense and business wisdom.
there appropriation of $5ooooo00O for public build
ngs in many places through the country including Washing
ton there win be further tax reduction The big elections
take place in November of year There MUST be tax
duction
So suggestion Congress authorize issue of
bonds amount of $5oOOOooOo carry
tona building program That would enable further tax re
duction put future taxpayers
Even the bond issue is better than renting buildings and
much public money front of Congress there viii be the most
unseery scramble for pork seen in many years will be
such scramble that would probably defeat bond issue
any other scheme
Back years ago. days public build
ings and rivers and harbors pork barrels the legitimate in
public construction went along hand and hand with the
to the backoods Congressmen who wouldn't be appeased
less they too got slices of the appropriations for their districts
These slices of pork decidedly helpful in boosting the
political prestige Of Senators and Congressman post
office building at Podunk meant much in keeping Congressman
Slick or Senator salve in Congress
In those good old days. which temporarily ceased with the
heavy expenditures Of the Congress did appropriate
for the purchase of building sites in many paces where
public buildings actually needed and where the Govern
ment would constructing them instead of renting
These sites still owned by Uncle SAM but has
been appropriated for buildings.
It is easily what is going to happen it is decided to
spend from bond issue in Government structures
Large numbers OF congressman VIII refuse to vote for the
unless assured that they will of the
for their districts Senators for their States Statesmen
galore will insist having slice Of the good thing they
think the bill ought to be-
The way avoid mixing of the legitimate and the
uncaed for in building appropriations would place
program OF constructing really necessary public buildings in
the hands Of the Director Of the Budget the Secretary
OF the Treasury where business ideas and would
prevail the political necessities of Congressman But
here the question whether congressman who merely
want slice whether fairly entitled to it will
sent to putting In the hands of Government
side Of Congress the right to the places where $780,
100000 shall be spent
As for old Washington the boys in the political
don't snap The Governments urgent needs
nothing compared with the needs of boosting Congress
sonal records Of public their respective districts and
States Senator SMOOT and few others who literally have
the best interests Of Uncle Sam in Washington
sought to separate $50000000 appropriation here from
national buildings BILL but the pork chaps won't have
that way They want whale of building melon and
they want liberal slices of for their districts
new posoffice building at squegee Pa is worth
thing politically to the gentleman from that Congressional
district $50OO00O0 appropriation for Washington ism
worth a thing to his future prospects.