The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-12-12

There is very fair probability that tho
present Congress Will respond and respond
literally to Washington's appeal for new pub.
lie buildings.
The necessity for new City Postofice can.
not be ignored, and the Congressman are one
by ono awakening to tho fact that the
present structure is unsafe aud unsuitable.
The question OF site is the only contested
point. II that could be agreed upon, II can
hardly DO doubted that both Houses would
promptly nccede to the demand and approprl
ate for handsome and spacious edlilce. The
subject Is receiving much attention, and every
EFFORT Will BIO made to puah II to q successful
result The prospects OF public buildings In
the District are very bright, II the sanguino
pending measures are justified.
The advocates OF the City Postofiice bill say
there lie no doubt OF Its passage. Many OF
those interested In securing new onlces for the
LEGAL government assert that whom City Post.
ONCE structure is provided for It VIII be
erected with a view to accommodating tho Dis
trict executive of11ces, HEALTH Fire and Police
departments, and that IL will be one OF the
handsomest public buildings in tho country,
and form IN Imposing ornament to the Market.
The military and scientific folks are happy
over the prospects OF n new Medical Museum
building. They assert that they have the
most positive assurance that the provision for
such structure Will meet with no material
opposition in either House. The Museum col.
leetions and library are regarded as among
tho finest OF their kind in existence, and In the
event OF their destruction by lre the loss would
BIO n very serious one and impossible TO re.
place. Despite this fact more dangerous or
utterly unsuitable structure than the present
one could hardly be conceived. Tho suggested
sites for the new Army Museum and Library
are the Smithsonian grounds, or Judiciary
Square.
The Smithsonian grounds are greatly pre-.
ferred, rs the Eerios OF scientific Institutions
grouped within their limits would be thus re-
enforced by an important addition and pre-
cedent established for making the Smithsonian
grounds nucleus for system OF scientific coll
lections unsurpassed In the world. The con-
templated appropriation OF 100000 Will pros.
vide for the erection OF very handsome ire
proof edince, affording ample accommodations
for the present collections and for the accumu.
latlons OF several years to come.
With anew local executive building and post.
ofllce on Market-House triangle or some other
suitable site, and an Army Museum In the
great need OF the city, INTELLECTUALLY speak.
ing, would be the much discussed Congress
sionsl Library building. Interest In this
measure has been kept alive through several
sessions OF Congress, frequently Increased BY
some now development or proposition and yet
making no material progress. Several sets OF
every style OF building, from the plainest to
the most ornate, and almost every available
site, from the East Capitol Park TO judiciary
Square.
The schemes for charging the Capitol build.
ing TO accommodate the multiplying volumes
have been abandoned, and the Smithmeyer
as in the City Postofnco matter, tho site re,
mains tho vexed question. The proposition
made by Mrs. Carlisle Patterson to donate
site about half q mile north OF the Capitol
awakes enthusiasm In the northeast section,
where tho location OF the building would Of.
ford great impetus to tho development OF
that portion OF the city. There are some good
reasons for considering Mrs. Patterson's lib.
eral offer.
Tho smithmeyer plans contemplate a two.
story granite building OF plain yet handsome
apDearapCp. md affOrdfng rno nd nj n for
3,bO0,o0O books, exclusive OF newspaper nles,
music In sheets, unbound pamphlet, etc,, In
The plan OF tho building contemplates a cen.
tral octagonaI reading room, its height that OF
apartment 10 surrounded by bookcases and
avenues OF bookcases radiate from It.. There
are large corner payillons connected by long
study and book galleries.
Ornamental stairways ascend ON both aides
of the main entrance corridor, and on both
sides are oblong apartments devoted to ad.
cords on the fret floor and 10 fiue art exhibits
on the second floor. The fine art exhibits will
also occupy apartments at the centre OF the
main front on the second floor.
The central apartment on the opposite
front on the trst floor Will BIO known as the
neutrality-suspicious." and will be devoted TO his
toric and literary productions OF all kinds re-
lating to washington city, Its selection as tho
National Capital, Its development, history and
resources. Immediately above tho Washing.
toniana similar apartment Will be devoted
Supervising Architect Bell has given con.
siderable thought TO the subject of new Post
ONCE and Medical Museum buildings, and re-
CARDS them as important ana necessary struc-
lures. He comedies the imperative necessity
for q new City Posto1lce, and will be found
very energetic and ready TO indorse and exc.
cute whatever plan can be agreed upon.
81 was very much astonished at the enormity
OF the business being conducted at the City
Postoflce in my visit there yesterday" said
Mr.. Stockslager, OF the House Committee ON
Public Buildings, to CRITIC man to-day.
'That building Is perfect Undertook. The
ventilation 10 bad, and they are crowded." he
continued.
onice?" THE CRITIC asked.
Malone and have been appointed by the
another location, the need OF another or
new building, Nc. Until Mr.. Malone re-
| turns to the city nothing can be done In
the matter, however. CITY Postmaster
| Conger Is we're properly anxious for
/ other quarters, but he scrupulously re-
| fuses TO mako a recommendation as TO where
1 the building should be located. Considering
| the health OF the employees, the danger OF IRE
| and the convenience OF everybody, q new
building should be secured for the offlces by
| all means"
SIS the building now occupied under lease?'
ono; the lease, which was for I'VE years,
| expired some time ago, and II is occupied
| now by the sufferance OF the owner, who runs
| the risk OF getting his rent
"when do you think you and Senator Ma
hone will meet and act ?"
"Very soon after Congress convenes In Jan