Evening star., 1926-04-20
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
BILL LAID ASIDE
Vote in Senate on $3.50
600 Appropriation Re-
garded as Remote.

Prospects of vote on the 100000,
000 public buildings bill. which In
Cludes $50, 900 FOR use in the DIS
trict, today seemed remote when
shortly after the Senate met, the
buildings measure again was laid aside
10 make way for further debate on the
italian debt settlement.
The public buildings bill has been
the unfinished business before the
Senate for several days, but inasmuch
as there is an agreement to vote at
4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon IN the
Italian debt settlement. Senate leaders
have agreed to permit Senators 20
speak on the debt pact when they are
prepared TO do so. The public build
ings bill may be taken up again later
In the day. but whether a vote will
be possible before adjournment is un-
certain.
There is believed 70 he . substan-
tial ma iority in the Senate In favor
of the bill. but a number OF Senators
will endea Vor before a vote is reached
TO insert various amendments to de-
fine the manner in which the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury should allot
buildings 10 the various sections of
the country.
Amendments Affect District.
Two amendments of special interest
to Washington also will he offered
from the floor Sena tor Bruce, Demo
crat Of MARYLAND. will seek to pre-
vent the purchase Of sites for new
buildings north OF Pennsylvania OF
New York avenues. his object being
TO force those In charge of the pro
gram To group the new structures in
a line with the Capitol ana the
White House. lie is strongly advocat-
ing placing Federal buildings along
the south side Of PENNSYLVANIA avenue.
Senator Moses. Republican, of New
Hampshire has an amendment author
izing erection of a suitable structure
to house the United States Supreme
Court, plans for which were drawn
by the late Henry Bacon.
Notice also has been served by Sen
ator Bruce since the debate hegan
that he would propose an amendment
designed to prevent the erection OF
the buildings in Washington Of
standardized types. He believes the
structures in the National Capital
should he ornamental in design, in
keeping with the dignity of the Nation.
Relate TO S10O, ,OOO. 900 Fund.
All other pending amendments re-
late to the 500, 900, 900 fund. which Is
to be used by the Secretary OF the
Treasury and the Postmaster General
in erecting post offices. Customhouses
and similar structures in cities where
the need is most urgent.
The proposal to appropriate for
Federal buildings on n lump sum
basis. instead of the old plan OF list
ing the cities. is unique. and has led
10 the offering of several amendments
In the Senate TO specify how the de
partment heads shall allocate the
funds.
The public buildings committee itself
wrote in a stipulation that not more
than 5000 900 shall be spent annual.
ly in any one State An amendment
has been offered from the floor. how
ever, to allocate the 500. 900. 900
among the States on the basis of the
last Federal census.
I'm Hands Of Commission.
The carrying out of the $50. 900 900
program in Washington will be in the
hands of the Public Buildings Com
mission, of which Senator Reed Smoot
of Utah, is chairman. While that com.
mission has A vast amount of data be-
fore it as TO the bureaus that need
new quarters. it has not mapped out
a definite plan of procedure and will
not do SO until the bill has passed.
The buildings bill has passed the
House, but if the amendments pending
in the Senate should be adopted. the
measure will have to go to conference
for final ratification.