Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-12

The new Pension office building from It's size
and elevated position mounts up in a way to
command observation. 1t is of the barn-style
Of architecture. designed to give the most space
within its walls at the least cost for construc-
ton. AS in this structure, however, three i'm
menSe barns are placed criss-cross one above
another there seems to be considerable space
lost under the steep-pitched roof of the top
barn. Unavailable space and cheapness of con-
struction, without regard to architectural
appearance, are to be considered in the erection
OF government buildings, II is suggested that
the hat-roofed octagonal, or railroad round
house style OF architecture would afford the
maximum Of room at the minimum of cost
But IL the country is too poor to consider the
matter Of beauty, grace, or dignity in its public
buildings here, it should at least place its plain
cheap structures In some inconspicuous posi-
ton where they will not challenge criticism
There will be some fault found with the Post
ONCE department because the report for the
past fiscal year shows q deficit Of %, 3S1 81.
But criticisms of such a sort will be wholly
wrong. As well might it be objected that there
10 large annual deficit In the War or Navy de-
partment. The Post Office department Is not
run to make money. but TO serve the public In
terests Indirectly 1t pays for itself thousand
times over by means of this service, precisely
as the other departments give back the people
the benefits Of good government.
The deficit, so-called In the Post Office depart
ment Is due mainly TO the reduction in the rate
Of letter postage. This was one Of the most use
FIJI and judicious acts of legislation which Con-
gress has done of late, and not the least valuable
feature Of 1t is that by this means the danger
Ously large surplus revenues of the country are,
to the extent Of the deficit advantageously ex-
pended.
sbo 49, hold RSxl
Of their own at Chicago, and are deciding a
number of things to their own satisfaction. AS
usual, they are disguised at the obstinacy of
the eleven other jurymen, and they have con-
cluded to see what effect q small sum of money
will have on their conversion. Hence a fund of
S2O,OOO. of strictly American gold, is to be
raised to be used in bringing the public to
accept the economic views of Golden and
Bright 1t Is noted as an encouraging sign that
certain business interests are now ranging
themselves In favor of free raw materials. To
some degree this is true, and the fact Is worthy
of attention. So long as the manufacturers, as
q body. were opposed to tariff reduction, argu-
ment upon the subject was almost idle; but IL
the interests of this class are now seen to be
hurt in certain directions by a comprehensive
protective policy, the theoretical free-traders
can depend on useful allies among those whose
business is thus injured.
disestablishment in England premature.
This Is convenient plea by which to avoid
trouble, but il has no other merit. The discus
sion is not premature If the people are interest
ed In the subject and wish it discussed. 1t is
not for Mr.. Gladstone or any one else to decide
for the people what shall be the topics OF cur
rent thought and controversy.
The great lakes have been Jealous of the At
lantic ocean for long time, and to assert them
selves got up a shipwreek which compares very
favorably with anything which salt water navi-
CATION can brag of. According TO the latest &C
counts one hundred persons were lost with the
Algoma in the recent disaster on Lake Superior.
Some of the newspapers are making Repre-
sentative Collins, of Boston, talk and act like q
TOOL over Mr.. SaltOnstalrs appointment as col
lector and as Mr.. Collins Is far from fool, the
ridiculous attitude which he is made to assume
Il undoubtedly struck for him by others and
not Of his own motion.
The Bell telephone controversy has become
decidedly interesting. There's millions in it.