Salt Lake Telegram | 1935-05-13 | Page 8 | Congress Cost is 20 Million

CONGRESS COST COSTIS IS 20 MILLION Br BY United Press Pren WASHINGTON D. D C. C May 13 13 Congressmen are contributing to I 1 tho the high cost of ot government by byj j J taking home government typewriters typewriters type type- writers pilfering pilfering- house restaurant silverware vare and abusing franking privileges These and other facts contributing ing lag to the cost of or running congress were revealed today as the house appropriations committee reported a bill to cover congressional ional expenses fl The bill bUt lost last regular appropriation tion measure of ot the session provides pro pro- vides tIdes salaries of senators and representatives traveling expenses Upkeep of the capitol office buildIngs buildings build build- ings congressional library and botanical gardens The total is more than last year but 1 less than budget estl- estl nates During hearings on the bill it 83 brought out that i Stolen Silverware a J from the restaurant restaurant res res- t 1 i. i Silverware House of Representatives Rep Rep- tau rant engraved t has been stolen in 1 serous crous amounts apparently for t v purposes 2 Government t typewriters supposed sup sup- i posed to remain In congressional r 1 offices often have been sent back to congressmen's homes 3 Congressional library officials officials of or- have had to mark off oce as S lost numerous books which conS congressmen congressmen con con- S gressmen have havo withdrawn and j S failed to return 4 Franking privileges have been abused to the extent that two unnamed members had their franks temporarily taken away from them by the house accounts committee At the request of Captain William Vil Wil tam liam S. S head of the capitol captol cap cap- itol tol police the committee placed In Inthe the the bill a proviso that new policemen policemen policemen police police- men hereafter must meet certain I physical standards I Police Held Inadequate j complained that the patronage policemen he gets range in age from 18 IS' to 70 that some come of ot them are only 4 feet 4 and weigh pounds while one or two are 6 feet and weigh around pounds asserted that he needed the regular metropolitan i I force to guard the capitol and that at present only ony about 35 per cent of his men are capable of doing the necessary work