Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-08
House Votes Erection of
Building to Replace 0bso-
Iete Quarters.
MADDEN BILL PLACES
BAN ON USE OF FUNDS
Requires Recorders to Go to Bud
get Bureau to Obtain Sane
ton of Expenses.

District day in passing without de-
bate the bill introduced by Chairman
Madden of the House appropriations
committee. for abolishing the fee-sys-
tenn in the Office of recorder of deeds
md the registrar of wills which are
the last two administrative offices
conducted under the fee-system.
An amendment adopted in the
House District committee authorizing
the erection of a new building to &C
comodate the office of the recorder
of deeds, was also favorably acted
upon without debate.
Chairman Zihlman explained that
the amendment gives authority Tor
the erection of a suitable records
as soon as the appropriations
provides for sunlcient
fund The great need for build
ing of this character has repeatedly
been brought to the attention OF Con
gress." said Mr.. Zihlman.
Not only are the present quarters
to an extent that is unbe-
lfevabIe. but the office is seriously
in the conduct OF public
business by lack Of space. and the
records of the Office are exposed 10
destruction by fire or by theft. Pro
vision should be made for the tunds
necessary to erect building OF this
character"
Stresses Need of Change.
Chairman Madden of the House ap-
committee explained that
his bill aholishing the fee system Is
in the interest of sound legislative and
administrative practice. AS the OF
fees are now run under the law, the
recorder and registrar have the right
to use the fees to pay the expenses or
the office, and at the end of the hscal
year. IL there is any residue. 1t Is
covered into the Urea ury to the
credit of the District, but very little
is ever turned in. he said.
1.-THE fees are fixed by statute and
were prescribed many years ago.
Mr. Madden emphasized. This legis-
lation will compel the recorder OF
deeds and registrar of wills to 90 be
fore the Budget Bureau with esti-
mates Of the probable cost OF con
Quoting their offices and will then
be heard before the appropriations
committees of Congress to justify the
appropriations for which they asked
This places them on an annual ap-
preparation basis, comparable with all
other Government agencies.
District Day Delayed.
District day in the House was de
lsved few minutes by the transac-
ton of other business. Representative
McSwain of South Carolina asked
time to deliver an Grafton on the
eiehty.fifth anniversary of Associate
Justice Oliver Wnedell Holmes. Rep
resentative Garner. Texas. ranking
minority member of the ways and
means committee, and House Leader
Tilson. next engaged in a tilt. Mr. Gar
ner secured time in which he asked
Mr.. Tilson regarding the newspaper re-
ports of the House leaders conference
with the President and directions
from the Chief Executive regarding
the Presidents desires that appro-
priations should he cut. Favorable
action was then taken on a concur
rent resolution providing for partici-
patton by Congress in the celebration
of the one hundred and fiftieth ami
versary of the Declaration of hide
pendence at Williamsburg, Va, on
May Is
The House next acted favorablv on
the conference report on the disposal
of surplus War Department lands.
providing that funds derived from
the sale should he used for construc-
resentative Howard, Democrat, Ne
braska. asked for minute and half
in which he appealed to his colleagues
to HELM him in getting action on bill
which would provide for distribution
of the Congressional Record to schools
throughout the country. Represent
ative Rankin. Democrat. Mississippi.
asked una nimous consent TO print in
the record a memorial on the Legisla-
ture of Mississippi In regard to rec
lamation and irrigation contending
that the South should have equal
considera ton with other sections of
the country in such legislation.
Favor Widening First Street.
In committee of the whole
favorable report to the House was
ordered today on the bill recommended
by the District Commissioners for
widening First street between G. and
MYRTLE streets northeast. When the
House comes out of committee on the
whole on the program of District
legislation, the bill will doubtless be
approved.
At present First street, running
northward from the Union State
Plaza between the city post office and
the tracks of the Washington
Terminal Co. is so feet wide from the
Plaza to G street, but only 40 feet
wide from G street to Myrtle street.
North of Myrtle street, however. the
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