Evening star., 1954-04-21
Lease-Purchase
Bill Heads for
Final Action
Going to Conferees
After Senute Gives
Approval by 47-30
o.. NAlsIls kI.ll
By WiIliom A. MiIIen

By WiIIiom A. MiIIen
The lease-purchase bill today
was on its way to final legislative
action following Senate approval
yesterday by roll-call vote of Al
to 30.
1t now goes to conference with
House Representatives to iron
out differences between the
measures passed by the two
branches of Congress. Further
action, however, must wait until
the House ends its recess on
Monday.
Named as conferees for the
Senate are Senators Martin of
Pennsylvania, Case of South Da-
kota and Kuchel of California,
all Republicans. and Chavez
of New Mexico and Holland of
Florida, Democrats.
Provisions of the Bill.
The legislation would provide
for new public building by using
Federal rent money to pay the
purchase price over a period of
Is to IS years.
The House version would re-
quire that House and Senate
Public Works committees merely
be notified about projects. But
the Senate wrote in a number
of restricting amendments, in
cluding the requirement that all
projects get approval of the two
committees, as we'll as of the APP
preparations committees.
Senate amendments also would
require detailed information on
projects, would direct the head
of the using agency to certify
that any new building was
needed and would require the
Budget Bureau Directors ap-
proval of all projects.
Although the measure has
been described as launching a
So billion Federal construction
program over the years, the Sem
ate clamped down on the execu-
tive agencies. 1t put 81 million
lid on the General Services Ad-
ministration and 81 million on
the Post Office Department until
July l, 1865. After that, the APP
Committees will de-
termine the amount of money
that can be spent under the
program.
Some Attack Cost.
A number of Senators attacked
the bill, contending it would cost
more than direct appropriations
for new construction.
"Conceivably this could be the
greatest pork barrel legislation
ever known" Senator Byrd.
Democrat, of Virginia told the
Senate.
He argued that the Senate was
relinquishing control over pub
lie works by this action in per-
the Executive Branch to
make its own contracts. He
warned that evils occurring in
the Federal Housing Administra-
ton would be duplicated through
this legislation. He warned also
that presSureS from chambers
of commerce and local citizens
would be brought on the ad-
ministrators to erect public
buildings everywhere.
Senator Morse, Independent,
of Oregon foresaw that public
buildings would sprout up to aid
the party in power in districts
where congressional election
contests were close. He con-
tended the legislation would sub
sidize the builders of America
and described the bill as "one
of the finest political grab-bags
I have ever SEEN" He said the
Government already is renting
too much space.
Senator Humphrey, Demo-
crat, of Minnesota said the bill
would commit the Government
to untold millions.
Senator Johnston. Democrat.
of South Carolina called it "a
real estate mans bill" and said
there would be a scramble to
get post Offices constructed.
Senator Magnuson. Democrat.
of Washington argued that pub
lie buildings under this program
would cost the American people
twice as much and said it would
benefit the money lenders, with
10 per cent in each contract.
He predicted a lot of the Senate
amendments will be knocked out
in the conference.
Defended by Several.
But Chairman Martin of the
Senate Public Works Committee
defended the legislation. He
said this method has been sue
cessfully used by business for
many years. Senate Majority
Leader Knowland said that,
while it goes beyond what the
agencies desired,
the bill, with its adequate safe
guards, is a sound piece of leg
ISlation.
Senator Kuchel. in charge Of
the bill, told the Senate the bill
represents a feasible method Of
getting new Federal buildings.
He said a direct public works
program. through specific ap-
preparations. is unlikely, be-
oi,ea of fha yoond of T0nUrocS .