Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-03


trict of Columbia and the country Is insufficient for
most pressing governmental needs Expensive rents
economy. In the District even after the Completion
OF these projects we shall have fully 10000 clerks
housed in rented and temporary war buildings which
can last but little longer.
Proposes Early Construction.
I therefore recommend that consideration should
be given to the extension of authorization both for
the country at large and for the District of Co
lumbia again distributed over term of years.
made by the Secretary Of tSe Treasury and the
Postmaster General. It WoaIld be helpful in che
present economic situation II such steps taken
as would enable early construction work.
An expedition and enlargement OF the program
IN the District would bring about direct economies
In construction by enabling the erection OF buildings
in regular sequence. BY maintaining stable labor
force in the city contracts can be made on more
The earlier completion Of this program which IS
an acknowledged need would add dignity to the
celebration in 1882 Of the two hundredth anniver-
sary of the birth Of President Washington.
In consideration Of these projects which con-
should like to renew the suggestion that the Fine
Arts Commission should be required to pass upon
private buildings which are proposed for sites facing
upon pubic buildings and parks. Without such
control much of the effort of the Congress in beauti
ncation OF the Capital will be mninized
Waterways and Flood Control.
The development of inland waterways has re-
ce1ved new impulse from the completion during this
year OF the canalzation OF the Ohio to a uniform
9-foot depth. The development of the other seq
ments of the Mississippi system should be expedited
and with this in view am recommending an in
crease IN appropriations for rivers and harborS from
$4,000 600 to $55,000,000 per annum which, to-
gether with about 81 100000 per annum released by
completion of the Ohio, should make available after
providing for other river and harbor works sum of
from $25. 900 to $4,000 600 per annum for the
Mississippi system and thus bring 1t to early COM
pleton.
Conflict of opinion which has arisen over the
proposed prop hoodway from the Arkansas River to the
me to withhold construction upon this portion of
the Mississippi flood control plan until 1t could be
again reviewed by the engineers for any further
ommendation to Congress. The other portions of
the project are being vigorously prosecuted and I
have recommended an increase in appropriations
for this from $50 900 of the present year to $685.
100000 during the next fiscal year.
Expansion Of our intracoastal waterways to eff
fective barge depths is we'll warranted We are
awaiting the action of Canada upon the ST. Law
renee waterway project.
Highways.
There are over 100000 miles of legally estab-
liShed highways in the United States, of which
about 10 per cent included in the State highway
systems the remainder being county and other local
roads About $4,000 miles have besn improved
with some type of surfacng comprising some So per
cent OF the State highway systems and 16 per cent
OF the local roads. OF the improved roads about
100000 miles are hard surfaced, comprising -OoLt
per cent OF the local roads,
While proper planning should materially reduce
the listed mileage OF public roads, particularly in
the agricultural districts and turn these roads back
to useful purposes 1t is evident that road construc-
lion must be long -contnued program, PROGRESS in
improvement is about 900 miles of all types per
annum, of which some $4,000 miles are of the more
durable types The total expenditures of Federal,
State and local governments last year for construc-
81, $50 600 OOO
Federal aid in the construction of the highway
systems in conjunction with the States has proved
to be beneficial and stimulating We must ulti-
mately give consideration to the increase of our
contribution to these systems particularly with
view to stimulating the improvement of farm-to-
market roads.
Post Office.
Our Post Office deficit has now increased to over
$SOo00,0oo year. of which perhaps $4,000, 900 is
due to losses on ocea mail and airma contracts
The department is making an exhaustive study of
the sources of the deficit with view to later recon-
mendation to Congress in respect to 1t.
The Post once quarters provided In part by
the Federal construction IN part by various forms
OF rent and lease arrangements. The practice has
gown up In recent years of contracting long term
leases under which both rent and amortization prin-
cipal cost OF buildings is included. / am advised
, that fully 40 per cent could be saved from many
such rent and lease agreements even after allowing
interest on the capital required at the normal Gov
features to some of these practices The provision
OF adequate quarters for the Post ONCE should be
put on sound basis.
A revision of armail rates upon a more SYSTEM
attic and permanent footing is necessary. The SUBJ
ject Is under study and If legislation should prove
necessary the subject will be presented to the Con-
greSs. In the meantime / recommend that the
Congress should consider the desirabity of author
izing further expansion of the South American
services.
Commercial Aviation.
During the past year progress in civil aero
nauticS has been remarkable This Is to a conSid-
cradle degree due to the wise assistance of the
Federal Government through the establishment and
maintenance of Always by the Department of Com
merce and the mail contracts from the Post Once
Department. The Government-improved airways
now exceed IS 900 miles-more than $4,000 miles OF
which will be lighted and equipped for night-hyng
operations by the close of the current year Airport
construction through all the States is extremely
active. I mil
nlcpal airportS in operation with additional 200
proposed for early development
Through this assistance the Nation Is building
sound aviation system, operated by private
terprise Over $500 planes in commercial use,
and 9.400 pilots are licensed by the Government.
Our manufacturing capacity has risen to $500
planes per annum. The aviation companies have
increased regular air transportation until it
totals $4,000 miles per day-one-fourth OF which is
noWn by rssIht. Mail and express services
meet our esAcipal cities, and extensive services for
passenger transportation have been inaugurated,
atrlines now reach into Canada and Mexico, to
Cuba, Porto Rico, Central America and most Of
the important countries of South America
RaiEicays.
AS a whole the railroads never were In such
good physical and financial condition. and the coun-
try has never been so well served by them. The
greatest volume of freight traffic rendered Is
being carried at speed never before attained and
with satisfaction to the shippers EficiencieS and
new methods have resulted in reduction in the cost
IL providing freight transportation and freight rates
show continuous descending line from the level
enforced by the World War
We have however, not yet assured for the future
mat adequate system of transportation through
solicitations which was the objective of the Congress
In the transportation act The chief purpose of
more uniform and satisfactory rate structure a
more stable financial structure, more equitable dis