Evening star., 1942-01-09
Smith Declines
To Bare Agency
Shifting Order
Avoids Committee;
McCurrun Declares
No Such Poper Exists
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
secondly, in the interest of the thou
sands Of Government employees, and,
thirdly, in the interest of the Dis
trict of Columbia, which was set
aside as the seat of Government.
When Senator Hughes of Della
ware suggested that, in view OF the
position taken by the budget direc-
tor. the committee does not know
whether or not an executive order
was issued, Senator McCarran de-
clared:
II think 1t Is safe 10 say no order
has been issued, because the budget
director says the papers are conf
dental, and an executive order can
not be confidential. 1t is law and
is published in the Federal Register.
I'VE think it has come to an un-
fortunate pass when the Congress
of the United States Is denied in
formation by a subordinate agency
of the Government.
No Removal Authority.
"It is quite apparent that there Is
no authority in law for removing
Government bureaus, and 1t Is ap-
narent that the whole matter seems
r. have originated in the Bureau OF
the Budget"
Senator McCarran recalled that at
the first meeting more than week
ago a representative OF the bucget
Bureau was present. But we were
unable to obtain any information OF
value from him. He was reluctant
to give any information.
Senator Tydings suggested tnat
the reply written to Mr.. Smith re-
cite the testimony already taken by
the committee, which shows, the
Senator said, that the cost OF moving
the agencies from the District "ap-
uroximates the cost, including living
units for the families Of the per-
sonnel, If new space is provided IN
or near the District of Columbia"
Many Employees 10 Stay.
He asked that the letter also point
to the testimony Of Government
officials that from 40 to so per cent
of the employees in affected agen-
cies are likely to remain In Wash
ington and seek transfer to defense
Jobs because of the difficulty OF
breaking up their homes and gong
with the transferred bureaus.
The committee already has ap-
proved and placed on the Senate
calendar a resolution calling for an
appropriation of $40,000,000 for S.
600 900 square feet of temporary
Office space-the amount Public
Buildings Administration officials
have estimated would still be needed
after current projects are completed.
Earlier, Chairman McCarran sent
letters to nearly all OF the IL Gov
ernment agencies that have been
ordered removed from Washington,
asking for detailed information as
to how the new localities were
chosen and what leasing arrange
ments are being made.
In the letter to Commissioner OF
Patents Conway P. Coe, Senator NC
Carran asked how Richmond was
selected for the Patent ONCE, what
housing Is available for the en-
ployes there and from whom the
building space there is being leased.
Similar letters went to the Rail-
road Retirement Board, Rural Elec-
triication Administration, United
States Employment Service, Fish
and Wild Life Service. Immigration
and Naturalization Service, Securl-
ties and Exchange Commission, In
dian Bureau and the National Park
Service.
Data on Cities Asked.
These letters asked for informa-
ton about the other cities affected,
including Philadelphia, Chicago,
Cleveland and St. Louis.
Senator McCarrans QUESTIONABLE
to the Commissioner Of Patents fol-
lows:
MY dear Mr.. Coe:
The Senate Committee on the
District of Columbia has heard many
witnesses with reference to the re-
meyal from Washington Of various
Offices and agencies of the Govern
ment, including the Patent Office.
In connection with the removal
of the Pa.S1t Office, it would be
greatly appreciated If you would for
ward st your earliest convenience to
this committee answers to the fol-
lowing questions:
"Q) What is the number of square
feet of space you occupy in Wash
ington aod state the number OF
buildings, if more than one?
"(2) In what way was Richmond,
Va, selected as the site to house the
Patent ONCE?
Would Trace Suggestion.
"(3) Who first suggested the city
"(4 with whom did you confer
in reference to obtaining necessary
Office space there?
"(5) If you did not so confer,
through whom were negotiations
made?
"(6) What is the rental price and
the tenure of lease of such building?
"CO What is the number of square
feet in the building?
"(8) Will this number adequately
accommodate the. work OF the
Patent Office?
"(9 Is the proposed space IN
Richmond contained in one build
ing? If not, state the number OF
buildings
100 Is the building fiTeprooi
and is it adequate to meet the
needs of your office, and does 1t
provide the necessary conveniences
for the employees?
Asks Plans Of Employees.
"QD What is the number of (a) !
and Cd clerical, en-
ployes who have agreed to move?
The number of above who will not
move?
= 80 4,,e u