Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-13
Uncle Sam, Builder.

OnCS gam = OuhuALlB pIOeIoHl HOO
been pictured graphically by President
Hoover, in q statement showing what
has been done, what is being done and
what remairS to be done, over two
year period. The Presidents statement
covers q total of 1853 projects. These
projects will have cost a total of $452,-
9l9,210 when they are all completed, If
the limit Of cost placed upon them in
the legislation enacted by Congress is
maintained. This building program
gives work to thousands Of men and
is a material aid to the building in
dustrieS. Furthermore, it provides more
adequate quarters In all parts Of the
country for the transaction OF Govern
ment business. 1t includes the great
development which Is under way in
Washington, the Capital of the Nation
a development which will result in the
end in saving huge sums in annual
rentals which the Government has been
compelled to pay because it has entirely
outgrown its working quarters here.
Since May, 1929, fifty-one Government
building projects, begun within that
period, have been completed. These
projects represent an expenditure Of
$23,316,S76. Among the largest jobs
in this list of completed Government
buildings were the Internal Revenue Blu
reau Building, costing $4,000, 900; the
Administration Building Of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, costing 100000,
and an addition to the Government
Printing ONCE which cost $1,250,000.
But a mere listing Of the finished
buildings does not give a correct idea Of
the situation. Work is now under way
on $50 other projects, which are to cost
upwards of $4,000, 900. Plans have
been completed and specifications are
put out for bids for still other projects
upon which work may be begun soon
and sites have been acquired and plans
partially completed for 100 projects to
cost in the neighborhood of 1912 ,000,-
600. The Government has lis addi-
tional building projects in allegiance
until the sites can be acquired and
over and beyond all these. are 1876
projects to cost about $46, 500 900, which
have been authorized by Congress but
for which sites have not yet been
finally selected.
Uncle Sam the builder is no new
title role. But the Government has
undertaken in the last few years a stu
pendous amount Of construction work.
In these days Of depression every effort
has been made to speed up in order to
provide jobs for the unemployed. 1t is
obvious that the Government cannot
rush into construction work the mo-
ment that Congress has written au-
thorizations for buildings and the Presi-
dent has approved them. The proper
sites must be selected and acquired,
sometimes through condemnation pro-
ceedings. Plans must be drawn along
with specifications for the work and
bids let before the dirt can begin TO
ny. The Government ewes q duty TO
the taxpayers in this matter, especially
in these days when revenues have
fallen of both for the taxpayers and
for the Government. To rush wildly
into building work regardless OF ex-
pense. merely for the sake Of speed, as
has been advocated here and there.
would result in waSteful expenditures
Of the taxpayers money. Enough Of
that kind of thing happened during
the World War, when the delightful
cost plus" contract reached new
heights
This governmental building program
extends the length and breadth Of the
land. New York, Chicago, Kansas City,
Boston and hundreds of other cities
are included in the list Of those where
new projects are under way or are soon to
be. The orderly procedure and the care
for It's proper development Of the hous-
! ing needed for governmental activities
is the Federal Governments contribu-
ton to business as usual which Is so
much needed today.