Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-19
FEDERAL BUILDING
II AID TO BUSINESS
Immediate Benefits Through
Country Seen in Proposed
Fund Increase.

Proposed increase in annual expendi-
lures for the Governments public build
ing program to be laid before Con-
greSs next December was seen In Of
fetal circles today as tending to have
an immediate bearing on the business
situation, as it would throw more money
into and speed up Government coIl-
struction each year, beginning at once.
The restriction on expenditure now
stands at $25,000,000 year for the
country outside Of this city, and
$4,000 900 q year for construction IN
the District Of Columbia. The pro-
gram which Congress will consider
would raise the annual restriction to
SIS, 000, 900 for the field and SIS, 600, 900
in the Capital, thus placing an addi-
tional $15,000,0 900 from Federal funds
directly into the channels of constrllc-
ton, in addition to the present pro-
gram.
Executive Support.
Secretary Melons statement at the
Treasury yesterday In support Of the
program was accepted as important,
rejecting the support Of the executive
branch of the administration for speed
ing up of construction. President Hoo
yer himself has frequently mentioned
public construction as factor of eco
nomic effectiveness which the Govern
ment could throw on the market as a
relief in times when the business struc-
ture needed support.
Secretary Melons statement that the
Treasury is behind the increased build
ing program, not only for faster ex-
penditure per year, but for the increase
Of SITS, 100000 in total authorization,
came at the time when the Chief Execu-
tive is launching his general program
for an increase In industrial activity Of
the country.
Figures Are Announced.
The figures concerning the admins
trationS program had been previously
made public by Chairman Elliott of
the House public buildings and grounds
committee, who announced last month
he will introduce legislation in Congress
to increase the $248,000, 900 present
public building program to $423, 900 900,
including increases of $100,000.O00 in
the field and $75,000,000 in this city.
Senator Keyes, chairman of the Senate
committee on public buildings and
grounds also has come out in favor of
the increased appropriations.
Senator Smoot, chairman Of the Pub
lie Buildings Commission, also has in
dicated that it will take many millions
more to complete the public construc-
ton, not only in Washington, but
throughout the field
Should Congress decide to increase
the total amount of money available, It
eventually would have a substantial eff
feet, especially on the building indus
try. but the annual increase in actual
expenditures would be felt much sooner,
perhaps next year.
Maximum Never Reached.
Here in washington millions have
been appropriated. and the maximum of
$10,000,000 a year has never been
reached, so there is an accumulation
piling up since the fiscal. year ending
July l, 1928. Several big construction
jobs here, however, including the De-
partment Of Agriculture, Internal Reve-
nue. Building and Department Of Com
Tnerce, will more than use up this years
SIC, 600, 900 maximum and dip some
into the accumulated surplus.
The details of the increased public
buildings program were disclosed first
by Representative Elliott late in Octo-
Der following conferences with admin
istration leaders at both ends Of Penn
sylvania avenue.
The larger authorization of $75,000,-
600 more for the District of Columbia Is
especially needed, it was pointed out, as
the $4,000 900 already authorized here
for construction has almost all been abb
sorbed in the buildings specifically APP
propriated for.
Big Sums Appropriated.
In fact, $4,000 900 or more has been
allocated out Of the $4,000 900 for con-
struction here, and this does not In
clude such structures as will be needed
in the triangle, for the Department of
Labor: Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, Department Of Justice and inde-
pendent Offices.
It is considered likely that the Treas
ury Department will not recommend
specifically to Congress any particular
figures for additional appropriation, as
the authority rests entirely with Con-
gresS. Rather it is thought likely that
the administrations recommendation
to Congress will take the form of sug-
gestionl in the Presidents message to
Congress that more funds are needed
and might well be authorized.