The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-12-03
The 9ailg Arens,
Independent IN EOerything.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Annual Report Of United States Supervising
Architect Muilet.

WASHINGTON, November 30.-Superf
yisinp Architect Mullet, in his report, af
ter enumerating the sites purchased for
public buildings, recommends an appropri-
alton for the purchase of additional pro
perry to enlarge the site occupied by the
Custom House at St Paul. In reference to
THE PUBLIC BUILDING AT CHICAGO.
Mr.. Mullet says: | desire to call the at
tention of the Department to the import
adce of erecting the Adams street front,
for which no appropriation has yet been
made, 1t is Of great Importance that this
front should be erected simultaneously
with the others, and, as the entire building
will be required, would strongly recon-
mend that an appropriation be obtained
for the commencement of that wing.
Should this be done, a considerable saving
in cost as well as time will be made, and
the entire building can be placed under
roof at an early day Progress in the public
BUILDING AT ST. LOUIS
has been very unsatisfactory, but it is
trusted that the obstacles in the way of its
rapid prosecution will soon be removed.
NEW BUILDINGS NEEDED.
The Post Office and Custom House at
Pittsburgh are far too small, and he rec
ommends an appropriation to commence a
new building in that city at an early day.
He also thinks it desirable that a new
building be erected at Toledo, Ohio.
Appropriations for the erection Of the
proposed new buildings at Nashville; Cow
| ington, KY; Evansville, Ind; and Little
/ Rock. Ark: are not sufficient, and it is i'm
possible to comply with the restrictions on
their cost except by erecting buildings in
adequate in size and unsuitable for the
purposes intended. The architect suggests
| that in cases in which it is not considered
desirable to appropriate the amount neees-
sary to erect suitable and permanent
buildings, it would sbs more advantageous
to defer action, and rent temporary accom-
modations, until such time as the finances
of the government may warrant the appro.
priation of the necessary amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE.
He renews the recommendations to sell
the Marine Hospital properly at Pittsburgh
Pa, and also at Detroit, Mich.
He thinks it indispensably necessary
that the east front of theTreasury Depart
ment be rebuilt and recommends the cree
ton of building for the accommodation O
the Printing Bureau and for the records O.
the Department.
Also, that steps be taken to secure from
the city of New York the whole or por
ton of the Battery for the erection of {
new Custom House, and that suitable
Appraisers store be built in the same 10
cality.
He recommends the extension of the De
troit Custom House.
MULLET ON THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
In conclusion, Mullet calls attention I,
the Eight hour law as injurious to the bes
interests of the Government and TO tn
wOrkmen themselves, and says: If the rul
Is to be the permanent policy of the Gov
eminent, and its mechanics and laborer
are to be compensated at the rate OF % pc
cent above the highest market rates, | SCI
no reason why officers, clerks and othe
] employees of the Government should nc
t be paid by the same rate. Under the pre-
sent system gentlemen Of education VIII
occupy positions Of trust and great pecu
: MARY responsibility in the different bureau
actually receive less than mechanics, an
= are Disseminated against IN favor of ME
who, as a rule, exhibit little interest in til
performance of their duties, and have 4
responsibility whatever. 1t is also ia,
that many mechanics receive, under tn
7 present system, not only more than the
, foreman and master mechanics, but mol
than the superintendent Of work on whie
d they are engaged, the latter classes beir
ID allowed no compensation for extra lab,
e performed.