Eviction

The Attorney General and his department received a notice to vacate their quarters. The Wardman Co., owners of the building in which the Department of Justice is housed,*announced that the Government is now paying $75,000 a year rent on the building whereas they could obtain $165,000 by converting it into a store and office building.

For some time the Department of Justice has had no lease. The The eviction notice calls for vacating the premises in 30 days. If the Wardman Co. exercises its legal prerogatives, the Department of Justice may soon be in the street.

*Senator Smoot, Chairman of the Congressional Public Buildings Commission (composed of two Senators, two Representatives, two architects and an engineer) which has charge of the housing of all Government services, declared he would gladly come to a compromise with the owner on a reasonable rental, since rents general have increased.