A growing number of Congress members view sale of surplus federal property as a reasonable way to raise money, and resolutions to study such a program have been introduced in both Houses. But conclusions from a recent General Accounting Office study indicate any major properzy disposal would require ormulation of a new policy that “could have far – reaching impact on many federal programs as well as on states and local communities.” The government owns 744.1 mil ion acres of real estate – mostly in the West – representing 32.7 percent of the country’s total land area. It also owns 405,147 buildings. Washington Report, publication of the U,S. Chamber of Commerce, noted these complications to any immediate government property disposal; Uncle Sam has no idea of the value of the land and other real property it owns; values are kept on the books at their original cost, some dating back to the nation’s founding; and it would take 10 to 12 years for a full study of government – owned property and how and whether to dispose of various properties. Acquisition costs of $104.9 billion, carried on the books. includes $9.7 billion for land. $42.9 billion for buildings, and $52.3 billion for other structures and facilities, Obviously a lot of government – owned real estate is in remote or mountainous areas, valuable only for special uses. A great deal of it is in federal use – property bought for flood control and navigation, for parks and historic sites, orest and wildlife habitats, etc. Property values, shown on the books at acquisition cost, would balloon when converted to market values. If Congress adopts one of the resolutions to study disposal of unneeded property, a national inventory of current uses, future needs, marketability and market values would be necessary. Since this would be a long process, the problem needs to be addressed now. If there are legitimate private uses for and and buildings for which Uncle Sam can project no future use, the glovernment might as well ave the revenue and get the property on the tax rolls. In the 1830s, revenue from sale of public lands was applied to paying off the national debt. With a current debt of over $1 trillion, the government could use a boost in that direction now.