Under the provisions of various acts of Congress $300,000,000 has been
authorized for public buildings and the land upon which to construct them,
being $75,000,000 for the District of Columbia and $225,000,000 for the
country at large. Excluding $25,000,000 which is for the acquisition of
land in the so-called "triangle" in this city, this public building
legislation provides for a five-year program for the District of Columbia
and between an eight and nine year program for the country at large. Of
this sum approximately $27,400,000 was expended up to June 30 last, of
which $11,400,000 has been expended in the District and $16,000,000
outside.
Even this generous provision for both the District of Columbia and the
country is insufficient For most pressing governmental needs. Expensive
rents and inadequate facilities are extravagance and not economy. In the
District even after the completion of these projects we shall have fully
20,000 clerks housed in rented and temporary war buildings which can last
but a little longer.
I therefore recommend that consideration should be given to the extension
of authorizations both for the country at large and for the District of
Columbia again distributed over a term of years. A survey of the need in
both categories has been made by the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Postmaster General. It would be helpful in the present economic situation
if such steps were taken as would enable early construction work.
An expedition and enlargement of the program in the District would bring
about direct economies in construction by enabling the erection of
buildings in regular sequence. By maintaining a stable labor force in the
city, contracts can be made on more advantageous terms.
The earlier completion of this program which is an acknowledged need would
add dignity to the celebration in 1932 of the two hundredth anniversary of
the birth of President Washington.
In consideration of these projects which contribute so much to dignify the
National Capital I should like to renew the suggestion that the Fine Arts
Commission should be required to pass upon private buildings which are
proposed for sites facing upon public buildings and parks. Without such
control much of the effort of the Congress in beautification of the Capital
will be minimized.