Evening star., 1926-12-17
Reed Measure Designed to
Free Local Legislation
From EncumbranceS.
MONEY WOULD BE SPENT
AT 100000 A YEAR
Committee Expected to Push Pas
sage Ahead of Plan to Purchase
Avenue Triangle Here.

Another hundred million dollar
public buildings bill was introduced
in the House today by Representative
Dan Reed. Republican. of New
York and member Of the House
on public buildings and
grounds.
This additional 500 ,O00,O0 is for
post Office and other Federal build
ing needs all over the country. None
of it is for Washington. The new
bill would increase the amount avail
able for expenditure each year under
the public buildings program as ap-
proved in the last session of Con-
gress from $4,000, 900 to $50, 100000
a year.
The entire membership of the pub
lie buildings and grounds committee
is agreed that the $25 900 900 authOri-
zatiOn for acquiring the triangle south
of Pennsylvania avenue to the Mall
for the new Government buildings in
Washington will be passed promptly
There is considerable effort being
made, however, to load that bill with
other propositions to care for needs
of the country outside of Washing
ton. Those in charge of the public
building program in Washington desire.
however, that the proposal here
should not be incumbered by any gen
eral provisions.
Would Prevent Filibustering.
For this reason the Reed bill intro
duced today will probably be promptly
approved by the committee and an
effort made TO pass it in the House
before the Underhill bill for purchas-
ing the triangle south Of the Avenue
is called up. 1t is argued that this
would be an assurance to the country
that the needs throughout the States
are to be taken care of and would
prevent filibustering or attempts to
amend the Underhill bill In the House.
The Reed bill, while not officially a
committee bill and while not having
been submitted to the Treasury and
the Budget for approval, yet carries
the support of a majority in the COM
mittee, both Republicans and Demo
Gratis, as we'll as approval by Secre-
tary Mellon.
1t is based on the testimony of Sec
retary Mellon and the supervising
architect before the House committee
on Wednesday, when they stated their
belief that an additional S10,000,000 a
year can be used efficiently to meet
the post Office needs throughout the
country and that eventually at least
5000 ,000, 900 will be required ade
quately to house Federal activities in
the States.
Congestion IntOlerable."
Emphasizing that his bill in no way
changes the policy as adopted in the
public buildings bill approved May
Afl cnfI tn1n
until 1913 it was the custom of Con-
gress to pass a public buildings bill
at least every two years carrying ap-
from $50. 0.000, 900 to $40,-
900 900. Since the war, and because
of it, nothing has been spent for pub
lie buildings except as authorized I'M
der the act of 1918.
THE growth of population" Mr..
Reid points out, together with the
increase in parcel post and the ex-
pansion of rural free delivery, have
made congestion in many post offices
intolerable. In an effort to meet
this situation and the one existing
in the District of Columbia, there was
enacted on May 25, 1926, bill au-
thorizing the construction of public
buildings in the District and outside
the District. This bill provides total
to the extent of $685.
900 900. Fifty million dollars may be
expended for sites and buildings in
the District of Columbia. and SIS, ,0OO.-
900 to complete buildings authorized
in 1918, which could not be held
within the limit of cost because OF
war prices.
Under the provisions of that bill
may not exceed $685.
900 900 per annum, and of this not
more than $4,000, 900 may be expend-
ed annually in the District of Column
bia. The act leaves only $10.000.0O0
for new projects, to be spent
outside the District to reach the very
urgent needs of the country at large.
s35,O0O.OOO Year Needed.
""rhe act of May 25. 1926, will have
to be liberalized to take care OF places
where public buildings are desirable
and desperately needed.
"At a recent hearing before the
committee on public buildings and
grounds evidence was disclosed that
S35 600 600 instead of $25 900, 900 could
no snent annually and economically to
meet very urgent conditions outside
he District of Columbia.
'"This bill does not change the policy
~ the act of May 20. 1926, but simply
iberalizes it to meet the urgent con-
Iitions of the country at large. 1t
will facilitate construction of build
nps in those places where the need is
yery urgent and which could not be
net for years to come without the
of the provisions. This.
~ course, is manifest when we con
,ider that as the situation now stands
he needs of a few large cities will
.eouire the greater part Of the $10.-
100 900 available for the construction
# public buildings outside of the Dis
rict."
Treasury Driving Ahead.
While Congress has been making
apid strides toward expanding the
federal building program for Wash
ngton, the Treasury Department is
irving ahead on plans already au-
horized, with a view to obtaining as
soon as possible sites for the new
of Agriculture and Ar
hives buildings.
Condemnation has been ordered on
,lock No. 264. it was learned today,
o acquire part of the site for the
IS, ,750 900 agriculture project. This
,lock Is bounded by B and G streets
Thirteenth street and Lin
worth place. Condemnation proceed
ngs will be carried forward by the
of Justice. The Treas
Try had failed in protracted efforts
Gbntinued on Page 2, Column J.