Evening star., 1942-03-30
Roosevelt Puts
0, 6. R. Decision
Up 70 Congress
Can Determine Use
And Amount Spent
On Building, He Says

leIlIleSSee, Sdlu lie COIlSlucIS COLL
struction of the 100000 building for
the Office of Government Reports
justified because of the building
shortage in Washington, but that
he will leave final decision on its
use to Congress, it was revealed yes
terday.
The letter answered a recent re-
quest from Senator McKellar that
the President express his opinion
on an assertion that an informa ton
center of less elaborate proportions
than the one projected would answer
the need
The burden in this phase of the
matter the Chief Executive also
shifted to Capitol Hill explaining
that it would be up to Congress to
decide how much money should be
invested in the protest.
The building, now under con-
struction at Fourteenth street and
Pennsylvania avenue NV, has been
subject of controversy since a Sen
ate subcommittee, headed by SEN
ator McKellar. several weeks ago
criticized the project because of the
cost involved. The building will be
financed through s25.0O0.0 900 Pub
lie Buildings Administration fund
allocated for temporary Government
office building construction.
The President said in his letter
that he believed a need existed for
such a service as the new Office Of
Government Reports.
"As I stated at press conference"
he recalled, lit is my opinion that
an information Office centrally To-
Gated could render valuable assist
ance to business men having buSi-
ness with the Government and not
knowing where to go or whom to see
Members of the Senate and House
advise me that much of their time is
now devoted to rendering such serv-
Ice to constituents and they have
great difficulty in securing definite
and accurate information.
Says Time Would Be Saved.
1T is my thought that the saving
In time to citizens having business
with the Government and to the
members of Congress would justify
the service. However. I am salts
fed that the matter Is not of suffi-
cient Importance to justify the time
that has been devoted to discussion
of the subject. I will be happy to
have the opinion of the Congress"
The President said the demand
for buildings is such that the build
ing should be completed" He add
ed, however, that if Congress passed
a resolution providing that the
building should not be used by the
Office of Government Reports. he
would accept the judgment Of Con-
gress and approve the resolution,
thus opening the way for the build
ing TO be assigned to some other
agency.
II a resolution to this effect is
not passed, he said, Congress can
make known its views in the bill
providing appropriations for the
Office of Government Reports for
the next fiscal year.
Will Respect Views.
"If Congress differs with me as
to the need for this service" he
continued. 1t can provide that no
funds shall be used for this con-
solidated information service. If
Congress thus definitely makes
known its view, l certainly shall
respect that view and shall not
make available for this expanded
service any of the emergency funds
allotted to me.
IF. on the other hand. as you
and some Congressman have indi-
Gated, you believe the service should
be established, but on a smaller
scale than is proposed, the Con-
gress can specify the amount to be
available for the purpose
If 1t is necessary to make funds
available for the remainder of the
present fiscal year, Mr.. Roosevelt
said he would advance only such
amounts as will be in accord with
the expressed view of Congress.
Text of McKellar's Letter.
Senator McKellar's letter to the
President read as follows:
Pending before the Senate Ap-
propriations Committee is the in
dependent Offices bill which car
ries the appropriation for the Of
fee of Government Reports. AS
you know, there is opposition to the
proposal to expand the informa-
ton service.
It am satisfied that the infor-
nation service could be enlarged
to be of service to those who have
business with the Government. but
! do not believe that it should be
enlarged to the extent proposed.
If you feel it is proper to do so, I
wish you would advise me what
would be your attitude as to max
ing allotments from emergency
funds TO supplement funds appro-
priated by the Congress for this
service.
Very sincerely yours, Kenneth
Mcclellan
Praises Presidents Cooperation.
Commenting on the Presidents
reply, the Tennessee Senator said:
The letter of the President is in
the finest spirit of cooperation, and
should make it easy for the Presi-
dent, the Congress and the public
to reach a fair and just conclusion
about the matter.
There never was question about
the Presidents right to construct
the building, and his letter makes
it perfectly simple for the Congress
to determine whether it wants the
service of a central information bu-
reau established or not, and, If it
should desire it, whether the whole
or any part of this particular new
building, after it is finished, shall
be used for such a purpose.
II feel satisfied that the two Ap-
propriations Committees of the Con-
gress itself will give the matter
their best consideration, and will act
in the same fine spirit of conciiia-
ton evinced by the President" :"
Wins Story Contest
L