Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-12
BLANT0N'S ATTACK
THREATENS BRIDGE
Insists Architects and Artists
Working on Memorial Be
Put Under Civil Service.

f1\DeulLlOuS anu "a
cedure IN the erection of the Airing
ton Memorial Bridge is threatened as
result of a point of order mace III
the House yesterday by represent
alive Thomas l.. Blanton, Democrat
of Texas against a legislative pro
vision in the independent offices APP
propriation bill permitting the bridge
commission to pay for architects ana
other professional service without re-
gard to civil service, which was suS-
tanned.
Another point of order, made by
Representative Black, Democrat, Oh
Texas. against the entire approprl-
alton of 100000 for continuing
work on the bridge piers, on the
ground that the law authorizing the
bridge project stated that the FedeFal
Treasury and the District of Column
bia. should share the costs, whereas
thus far the entire cost has been on
the Federal Government, for a Tune
endangered the entire project, put
was later withdrawn.
Earlier in the consideration of the
independent Offices appropriation OH
Mr.. Blanton had warned Represent
alive VIII Il. Wood, Republican, OF
Indiana, in charge of the measure
that it contained a number OF leg1sla-
tive riders subject to points of ORDER
to which he would call attention.
Charges Evasion Attempt.
The provision of the bill stricken
out by Mr.. Blanton's point OF oroeF -
as follows: oa
Provided, that the act approved
February "a, 1925, shall be construeu
as authorizing the expenditure, with
the specific approval of the Arlington
Memorial Bridge Commission, or such
portion as said commission shall ue-
termine, of this or any other appro-
priation heretofore or hereafter mace
to carry out said project, for the EN-
ployment, on such terms as said COM
mission shall decide, of expert con-
sultants, engineers, architects, SOUP
tors or artists, or firms, partnerships,
or associations thereof, including the
facilities, service, travel and other
expenses of their respective organiza-
tionS so far as employed upon TINS
project, in accordance with the usuat
customs of their several professions,
without regard to the restrictions or
law governing the employment,
salaries or travelling expenses OF regu-
lar employees of the United States"
Mr.. Blanton argued that this is an
attempt on the part Of the appropria-
W CNdOS CAAohAiis3 ASs"'
Mr.. Wood explained that:
1.-The purpose of this language is to
obtain the services of the best archi-
tects in the country at the least pos
sible expense to the Government. The
architects of this country have an as
ISOLATION and have a schedule of prices
which it would be unethical for them,
if regularly employed, to cut under.
But because this Is a memorial bridge
for the United States many have given
their services to the Government and
some services have been farmed out to
others who are working at nominal
figure"
Says Plan Would Save Money.
ut is an attempt TO appropriate in
such a manner as TO save the Govern
ment money" he emphasized.
I'VE can employ architects at the
regular nrices. And without this
provision that will be done, but IT
will cost the Government many
thousand dollars more. The commit
tee had the idea that If Congress
would adopt our suggestions we VIII
save money.
Black said:
aThe Arlington Memorial Bridge
act provides that such appropriations
as may be made under the authority
OF this act for the execution or TINS
work shall be chargeable to the
Treasury of the United States ana
the revenues of the District OF Co
lI1mbia in such manner as shall then
be determined by Congress TO De
equitable. The present appropria-
ton of $2,50e.O00 is all out OF the
Treasury of the United states, pc
cause the act begins by stating tnae
the following sums are appropriated
ont of any moneys in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated for the
following purposes. 49,,
Now, the point / submit is this:
II would be within the province OF
Congress to decide that ~ per cent
of the appropriat ton should be appro-
nriated out of the general treasury
and 20 per cent out of the revenues
of the District. Nobody could ques-
tion our right of discretion. we
would provide that 80 per cent sLoulu
be paid out Of the Treasury OF tne
United States and l0 per een1 V"t
~ revenues of the District. But l
c,,hrnit that the general law says
that the money shall be appropriated
o,1t of the Treasury OF the Unlteo
states and the revenues OF the DIS
trict Of Columbia in such manner
as the Congress may direct.
"Now. the present appropriation en-
+iralv ignores the revenues or the DIS
trict of Columbia and makes no ap.
nropriation out of the revenues OF
the District whatever. and supInl!
that it is in violation OF the act anu
that the appropriation as caltieo Al
the bill is unauthorized by law.
"If the chair holds this appropr1a-
+,or in order. then it win be entirely
nossible to appropriate the entire $14,-
ro0 600 out of the general treasury
and nothing out of the revenues OF
the district. Frankly, that is what
T shall expect to see done. and pro-
test against it. Whatever is the DIS
trict's fair part its taxpayers shouid
nav and not the general taxpayers OF
the United States"
CramtOn Makes Reply.
Tn reply to this Representative
o,,;s q. Cramton, Republican of
Nrichigan. explained the intent or the
snhatantiye law and the attitude of
the appropriations committee as fol-
lows: ..,.
h,.;dga nroyided for some rather ex-
tensiye developments in Washington,
including two extensive bouleVaros,
one running from the bridge to the
north and the other to the east. AS
reported to the House and as passed
Inv the Senate the entire $14.000.000
was to be taken from the Federal
Trea surv. / was the author of the
amendment which has been referred
IN nroviding for division of the cost
between the Federal and District
treasures. 1t is one Of the things
which has done so much to add to my
popularity in the District.
1.-THE theory OF that amendment
and / think it is properly expressed
i'm the language-was that there