The Depression Papers of Herbert Hoover

Statement, August 4, 1931

The Treasury Department has furnished the following review of progress during the past 60 days of that portion of the public building program administered by the Treasury Department. A total of 758 projects have been specifically authorized at a cost of about $453,000,000. The progress of these projects is marked at stages beginning with determination of sites, acquirement of land, design of buildings, specifications, bids, letting of contracts and completion.

  1. Completed buildings. From May 15th to July 15th, 6 additional projects have been completed, bringing the total of completed buildings up to 57, at a total cost of $25,326,876.
  2. Contracted buildings. From May 15th to July 15th contracts have been let for 42 additional projects, bringing the total buildings now under contracts but not completed, to 192, estimated to cost $135,637,366.
  3. Sites acquired and plans completed and in process of contract. 47 additional projects have been advanced to this stage between May 15th and July 15th, making a total now in this category of 61, of an estimated cost of $44,249,800.
  4. Sites acquired and plans underway. From May 15th to July 15th the number of projects now in this category have been increased by 49, making the total 192, of an estimated cost of $181,353,023.
  5. Sites acquired or in negotiation from May 15th to July 15th. 34 projects have been advanced to this category, there now being 100 in this stage of an estimated cost of $32,301,841.
  6. Sites advertised and bids opened. There are now 156 projects in this stage at an estimated ultimate total cost of $34,871,800.

It has been found that owing to local conflicts over sites, the impediments in acquiring title, condemnation proceedings, etc., the stages 5 and 6 have proved the most fertile of delays.