Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-07
Rent-Purchase
Building Plan
Passage Seen
Senator Martin
Defends Controls
In Senate Version
By WiIIium A. MiIIen

Chairman Martin of the Sen
ate Public Works Committee
forsees Senate passage. probably
this week, of the lease-purchase
legislation.
This is designed to permit the
Federal Government to use rent
money to construct new build
ings. A similar measure already
has passed the House.
Senator Martin expected the
Senate to take up the legislation
late today or tomorrow.
The Senator condemned the
temporary buildings here as not
only an eyesore. but a horrible
hazard if enemy bombs should
fall. He sees this legislation as
a means of getting rid of them
While the Senate legislation
as drawn would require project
agreement by the Senate and
House Public Works committees
Senator Martin says this would
not delay the public works pro-
gram. He says it would not mean
Affirmative approval in each in
stance, but instead would amount
to a veto power. The House
version would require only ref
erence to the committees.
Disputed Section.
The disputed section of the
Senate bill reads:
mo proposed purchase con-
tract agreement calling for the
expenditure of more than $4,000
per annum shall be executed
under this section unless the
administrator has come into
agreement with the Committee
on Public Works of the Senate
and of the House of Representa-
tiveS with respect to such pur-
chase contract agreement"
This would apply to the Gen.
eral Services administrator. A
similar provision applies to the
Postmaster General.
cts an orderly way to dc
business" said Senator Martin
"We are retaining some con-
gressional control, based on the
way we do it with armed Serv-
ices construction.
II do not anticipate any delay
in projects by reason of being
referred to the committees"
Some DIRECTORS to the Senate
language say referring project:
to the committees for agreement
would mean delay in construc-
ton and would constitute legis.
lative interference in Executive
Branch affairs.
Senator Martin declared the
legislation would provide the ad.
vantage Of getting ahead with
public construction in cooper.
alton with private enterprise
He said that under this, the Fed.
eral Government would not have
to have a big capital outlay fol
public buildings program.
"We just don't have the money
for this" he explained.
Dangerous Eyes0res.
Referring to Washington:
temporary war-built Fedora
Office buildings that dot the
Mall and other parts of the parE
system, Senator Martin declared
1.-THE temporary buildings are
a disgrace. If a bomb struck, il
would cause a catastrophe. They
are not only an eyeSore, but
could cause awful destruction.
Senator Kuchel, Republican
of California, chairman of the
Senate Public Works Subcom.
mittee that produced the bill
said a big backlog Of public con.
struction has been built up ovel
the years. In his State alone
he said, it amounts to well over
$50 projects. He explained that
in addition to post offices, these
include several Office buildings
quarantine stations, medical IA
cilities and miscellaneous struc-
lures.
Senator Kuchel is expected tt
pilot the legislation through the
Senate. He will assist Chairman
Martin in explaining the bill tt
the Senators.
Sees Efficiency in Plan.
Undoubtedly it will be found
most efficient and economical tt
carry Out a large number of these
long deferred plans through this
lease-purchase arrangement,
Senator Kuchel pointed out.
1.-THE latest catalog of proposed
projects which inter depart.
mental committees on building
and space matters have con.
sidered both desirable and JUST.
fled will be reviewed" he said
He explained it will be checked
to determine which of the needed
structures it might be feasible
to build on a lease-purchase
basis.
"a lease-purchase plan ena.
bling the Federal Government tt
acquire post Offices and othel
structures in much the same way
individuals buy new homes woule
be launched by the General Serv.