Evening star., 1941-12-28

that city would be moved back 70
Washington after the war.
Attorney Robert e. Barry. with
offices in the National Press Build
ing, pointed out that many attorneys
would find 1t possible to do part
time work in Richmond. and con-
tinue to live in Washington.
Mr.. Barry's partner. Armand A.
Cyr. called the move to Richmond
"inconvenient. but not disastrous"
Most of the local attorneys will be
able to maintain their staf1s here,
and keen in touch with the Rich
mond office by mail, and occasional
visits to that city, he said.
Fewer Legal Obstacles.
Mr.. Cyr expressed qualification
over the disclosure that Patent
Office units dealing with conflden-
tial defense patents will remain
here, thus facilitating direct con-
facts between the Patent Office,
attorneys, and officers Of the War
and Navy Departments.
Though lawyers were uncertain
whether they would be admitted to
practice before the Virginia bar
without special examinations, the
consensus seemed to be that the
shift to Richmond would present
fewer legal obstacles than a trans
fer of the Patent Office to New York.
The statement of Budget Director
Smith did not disclose the rental
which the Patent Office will pay for
its Richmond office. 1t is under
stood, however, that the rental will
rot be over 81 a square foot. Hous-
/ ing accommodations will be avail
able for all employees transferred, it
was said.
Commissioner Coe and other Off
cials were busily engaged yesterday
in working out the details of the
shift to Richmond. Mr.. Coe plans
to 60 to Richmond tomorrow to in
spect the new Offices, and see what
alterations will be necessary to fit
the building to the needs of the
office.
Though the bulk of Patent Once
employees would like to remain in
Washington, the announcement of
the move to Richmond was well re-
ceived. officials expressed the view
that workers generally would pre-
fer Richmond to New YORK City.
Ramspeck Opposes Move.
Though conceding that removal of
the Patent Office to New York is
preferable to the original plan to
transfer the Office. its files and en-
ployes to New York Chairman
Ramspeck of the House Civil Service
Committee declared last night that
it was neither an efficiency nor
economy move, and that it had
dangerous prospects"
Il still think that 1t would be
much better to have private business
associations and organizations,
many of which have recently
brought large force to Washington,
move out and leave the Federal City
that was established as the seat of
government to properly coordinate
its Offices here" Mr.. Ramspeck
said. These business concerns
should patriotically be willing to
move out. especially as they can do
business just as we'll and less expen-
sively somewhere else. The housing
and office space in Washington
should be at the first call for gov
ernment use"
A subcommittee Of the House
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds plans to resume its hear
ings on decentralization Tuesday.
The subcommittee is headed by
Representative Downs, Democrat Of
Connecticut. Offlcials of the Federal
Communications Commission and
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion have been asked to testify
Tuesday at 10 am.
The following day officials Of the
! Maritime Commission will be heard,
and on Friday Commerce Depart
ment officials will appear.
Representative Manasco Of Ala
bama, who has been assisting Chair
man Downs in these hearings. ex-
pressed the view last night that the
Patent Office should not be moved
out of Washington.
This is one of the old-line Federal
offices where the employees have
made it a career job, have estab-
lished homes here, and have their
children in school," he said. "The
family life of some 1,500 persons will
be greatly disturbed, and they will