Interdepartmental Turf War Erupts Over Jurisdiction of Hallway Between Two Departments

A jurisdictional dispute between the Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of External Relations has left a 40-foot hallway on the fourth floor of the Hoover Federal Building in a state of increasing squalor, as neither department will authorize cleaning of a corridor both claim falls under the other's purview. The dispute began in August when a fluorescent light in the hallway burned out. Internal Affairs submitted a maintenance request, which Facilities rejected on the grounds that the hallway is listed in building records as belonging to External Relations. External Relations disputes this, citing a 2018 memorandum of understanding that transferred 'all common areas adjacent to Suite 402' to Internal Affairs. 'Suite 402 is our office,' said Internal Affairs Director Roger Boundary. 'The hallway is adjacent to Suite 402. Therefore the hallway is theirs.' 'Suite 402 is their office,' countered External Relations Director Helen Perimeter. 'Adjacent means next to. The hallway is next to them, therefore it is their responsibility.' The burned-out light has been joined by a growing collection of uncollected issues: a water stain on the ceiling tile, a loose carpet edge that has tripped four employees, a motivational poster that has fallen and been propped against the wall, and a recycling bin that has not been emptied since September. 'I have to walk through this hallway four times a day,' said analyst Kevin Corridor, who works in an office accessible only through the disputed zone. 'Last week I slipped on a coffee spill that neither department will acknowledge occurred on their territory. It's like living in a demilitarized zone, except less organized.' The dispute has been referred to the Office of Space Management, which has indicated it will issue a ruling within six to eight months, pending a survey of the building's original floor plans, which are stored in a warehouse that is also the subject of a jurisdictional dispute. The light remains burned out.