Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03
PRESENT BUILDING
BILL TOMORROW
Fernald to Give Senate Meas
ure for D. c. and the
Nation.

y revised draft of the bill TO pro-
vide needed Federal buildings both
IN Washington and in various parts
of the United States was completed
yesterday by Senator Bert Fernald of
Maine, chairman of the public build
IngS and grounds committee, and will
be introduced in the Senate tomorrow
The measure authorizes a total pro-
gram of S165, 900, 600, of which $780,
100000 would be expended in the Ma
tIonal Capital to house Government
agencies now quartered in rented
buildings and in temporary war struc-
lures. Another $15,000.000 would be
devoted to the completion of build
ing program authorized a number of
Years ago. The remaining 500 ,0O0,-
600 would be for new Federal build
ings throughout the country.
Optimistic Over Prospect
Senator Fernald was optimistic last
night over the prospect of enactment
Of the bill by this Congress. He
pointed out that the House passed d
similar measure in the last Congress-
and added that he believes the SEN
ate will act favorably at this session.
The House also must vote on it again
1T this session
The chairman of the committee de
clared last night he would expedite
consideration Of the bill in every way
in order to get It on the Senate cal
endar for action at an early date.
The buildings and grounds commit
tee will be called together within a
tCw days after the hin is introduced,
md Senator FernaId said he would en-
,ieavor to have it reported back TO the
Senate as soon as possible, He said
he committee may meet Wednesday.
-
viscd the bill from the form in which
il was introduced in the House by
Representative Elliot. he said he has
not changed it basically.
Smoot Bill Introduced.
On the opening day of the session
Senator Reed Smoot, chairman of the
public buildings commission, intro
duCed in the Senate a separate meas
IRE to authorize the $50 900 that
would be required to meet the housing
needs OF the Federal departments in
Washington. Senator F'ernald said
last night the bill which he will in
1roduce tomorrow aims TO provide in
one measure for the Federal struc-
lures needed throughout the country
along with the program for Washing
ton as outlined in Senator Shoots
bill, and he expressed the hope it
would be acceptable.
Chairman Fernald explained that
his bill would empower the Public
Buildings Commission. headed by
senator Snoot, to decide on the order
in which the structures in Washing
ton should be erected The plan is to
limit the progress of the local building
program to 100000 annually until
completed.
Washington Program.
While no one can predict how soon
the opportunity to call the building
program up for a vote in the Senate
may present itself. Chairman Fernald
indicated that he looks for such an
opportunity unless unforeseen opposi-
ton should develop.
The $50 900 Washington pro-
gram Contemplates additional Office
space for the Departments of Justice,
Treasury, Agriculture, Labor and
commerce, the general accounting
office. the General Supply Committee
and the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. 1t also includes the long sought
archives building, in which to safe
guard the most valuable papers and
records of the Government.