Evening star., 1934-04-17
u, 5, BILL FOR RENT
MOUNTS STEADILY
AS AGENCIES GROW
Annual Figures $49,999.O9
Short of Record Made
in 1880.
MOST OF EXPANSION
TRACEABLE TO N. R. A.
Space for Federal Government
Activity Now at Pre-
MUM.

In Washington. the Federal Govern
ment is now paying an annual rent
bill of $l.156,9O4 43-a figure closely
approaching the record mark of ST.
206,9 ,903.52, established in 1880.
Despite activity in constructing new
buildings here for public business, 1t
developed that Uncle Sans rent bill
has been mounting steadily with the
multitude of new agencies created
under the new deal. Most Of the ex-
pansion in rental activity recently is
traceable to the N. r. A., which has
branched out in various parts of the
city in the past three months.
Space at Premium.
Space for Federal Government ac-
tivity is now at premium, but Harold
A. Candland, chief of the division of
Government space control, buildings
branch, of the National Parks Service.
Interior Department, asserted today
that he anticipates that when the new
buildings in the triangle are ready the
Federal Government will be able ma
terially to reduce its rent bill here, as
we'll as the number Of buildings it now
occupies. The plan is to continue
those buildings which afford the Gov
ernment favorable rental now and to
drop the high-priced buildings. In
immediate touch with rental activity
here, A E. Demaray. associate direc-
tor of the National Parks Service,
who foreseeS the time not far distant
when the Government will be able 10
reduce markedly the present 40 rented
buildings in the District. So of which
are office buildings, the balance being
utilized as garages and for storage
space.
On July l of last year, when the
current fiscal year began, the Govern
ment had leases here totaling S759,-
763.44. Since then it has made leases
aggregating an annual rental of S397,-
1909.
When the Federal rent bill here
reached S1,206, ,903.52 in 1880 it was
prior to the occupancy of the new
Bureau of Internal Revenue Building.
the new Department of Commerce
and the new Post Office Building.
which is now being occupied by a
number of Government agencies.
Rent Bin Slashed.
BY moving into the new Internal
Revenue and Commerce Buildings,
Mr.. Candland explained. the rent bill
was slashed by S275, ,635.98. At the
beginning Of the present fiscal year
there was a further reduction in the
rent bill of S129,851.02, traceable to
more favorable rental figures secured
by the Government, in some cases the
cut being as high as 25 per cent.
The lowest reduction secured was
10 per cent. The Government pur-
mated rentals altogether. Mr. Cand-
land saw in this rent reduction good
argument for centralizing the leasing
in one agency, as is now done in the
division of Government space control.
In the re- Office buildings and l3
others rented here, the Government oc-
cupies a total of 1,363,273 square feet
of net Office space, accommodating 8,103
employees.
Since March l, Mr. Candland's Office
has drawn % leases, most of them for
the N. A. R., but some for the r. F. c.,
the Customs Bureau and other Treas
ury units and the Interior Depart
ment. These leases Mr.. Candland
pointed out all carry 30-day termi-
nation clause and run to June 30,
when they expire. but may be renewed
by the Government.
Major rentals paid include S118,-
1896 for the Interstate Commerce
Commission; 100000 for the Depart
ment of Justice; $4,000 for the Hur-
ley-Wright Building at Eighteenth and
Pennsylvania avenue; S132,475 for
1925 H street, the old Department of
Commerce Building which is now en-
tirely used by the R. F. c.; $45,79224
for the Washington Building; S45,0OO
for the Treasury Departments place
at 119 D street northeast and S42 1872
for the Home Loan Bank Board Build
ing.
Private Cooperation Seen.
While there has been a good deal
of renting activity in the District,
absorbing most of the available COM
mercial Office space, Mr.. Candland
asserted that the owners of real estate
and agents for commercial property
generally have been very cooperative
in assisting the Government to obtain
satisfactory rates and Accommodations.
In only a few cases, did real estate
agents attempt to obtain rental rates
in excess of actual value of property,
he said.