Evening star., 1938-05-07
DISTRICT IGNORED
IN PUMP PR|M|NG'
No Depression Here Is Seen
by Woodrum as One
of Reasons.

The District has been ignored in
Federal building projects contemplated
under the administrations $500 900
pump printing" program, 1t was dis
closed today when the transcript of
the hearings on the emergency relief
supply bill were made public by the
House Appropriations Committee
Although the Federal Government
is now spending between $2,500, 900
and 100000 year for rent OF pri-
vate buildings in Washington. Sec
retary Ickes told the committee no
Government building projects had
been planned under the "pump-prim-
ing" program to reduce this expendi-
ture. probably on the ground Con-
gress might not be willing to include
the District.
Representative Woodrum. Democrat,
of Virginia suggested that perhaps
the District was ignored because it
was thought that large projects like
the proposed War Department Build
ing might have taken all the money
authorized.
There are many places in the coun-
try where work is needed out Of the
District of Columbia because there has
been no depression here and no reason
for depression" declared Mr.. Wood
rum.
Described as Fitting.
Chairman Taylor of the Appropria-
tions Committee described Mr.. Wood
runs statement as 'imminently fit-
ting and said: "As a matter of fact
the House OF Representatives is pretty
we'll fed up on large appropriations for
buildings in the District of Columbia.
They feel that the rest of the country
is entitled to more consideration pro-
portionately"
That is true said Secretary Ickes.
But of course the Federal Govern
ment is paying from two and half to
three million dollars a year for rent
in the District of Columbia. But am
not here to argue that"
Representative Cannon, Democrat.
OF Missouri pointed out. however, that
Federal projects in Washington would
benefit other sections of the country
because firms awarded the construc-
ton contracts would bring their own
skilled workers here and that the ma
terials entered into the fabrication of
the buildings would come from outside
the District.
And when a project is completed"
Mr.. Woodrum said. they all stay here.
and that is the reason for the terrific
employment releaf load when you see
more people on the District relief roll,
almost, than you have citizens"
Seen As Necessary.
"As rule, all of this construction in
the District will eventually be neces-
Sary in way" declared Mr.. Cannon.
And ultimately Congress will provide
the housing necessary for the Govern
ment departments. In view OF the fact
that this is to be done eventually by
the Government. we might utilize the
funds available under this act"
Mr.. Woodrum later asked Secretary
lckes If he knew of any place in the
country which. from the standpoint of
economics. had as little right to know
there was depression as the District.
Mr.. Ickes replied, absolutely not:
that Is what I have said about the
people in Washington right along.
Ihey never knew there was a depres
sion In Washington. And that is true
because the Government pay roll is
mere, and that has kept the retail mer-
chants going. and there has been a big
influx of new employees"
Then Chairman Taylor added: TT
seems like almost everybody in Amer
lea wanted to get on the Government
pay roll. There has been a tremendous
expenditure Of funds here that has
Kept the merchants in q prosperous
condition"