Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-07
The Congregational Library.

from the Architectural Weekly Building" June so.
We cannot but regret the action OF Congress.
which may delay work on the Congressional
Library. The resolution introduced by Mr.. Ryan
was To say the least, i'll advised, and II must be a
matter OF surprise that III members could agree
10 suspend work and have new plans submitted
senator Voorhees,, who has been chairman OF the
committee on al litiona accommodations for the
library. and 10 who's efforts the purchase OF a ste
and beginning Of a structure are largely due says
the Senate Will never assent 10 a st0Ppage OF The
work. lie says tbat- even should the building cost
seven o. eight million OF dollars, the money could
not BE- more adv antaseOusy invested Senator Pad
dock also says the senate will not consent To the
House proposition, aud senator Morrill, 40 has been
from the nrst an able and constant friend Of the
Library, Will exert ali his Influence 10 prevent
cessation OF the work anu change OF plan We be-
Ieve these gentlemen viii Voice the wish OF the
Intelligent portion OF the community such a
building. destined TO be the depository OF BOOKS
the property OF a nation yet In Its Infancy, should
Be Of no mean proportions.
The members OF the commission think that it is
not reasonable 10 expect building which Is con-
sldeIably Larger than TIE STATE, War and Navy be-
partment building 70 be built Tor two or three
millions when the latter cost over $4,000 90
Whatever erroneous ideas the members VI Con-
gress may have IN regard To the total COST OF the
proposed ouldlng, III Is Claimed oy the CON-
Ilission they were not derived from them
Inc commission, however, proposes 10 COM
pf,se suia,np md Inc Talnnaa n With yh iront
book dvpOstOrte>, deeming that sufficient accom-
modAtlon Tor the library just now. Aiterward the
It Was estimated that this portion OF TIE building
would cost, In addition 20 what has already been
expended, over SSOSsl0O0 Tue excavation mas
been made Tor the entire building and the con
tract for the concrete Is also Tor entire area OF the
proposed structure. Recent contracts the stone
work have only been for the west front ana The
rotunda- and IL Is thought that II the money il
made available that thIs portion Of the building
could be made ready for the library IN about Two
years or course the adoption OF new plans now
would entail a serious loss the country as Mr.
Clark. architect Of the capitol and a MEM
Der OF the library commission, has pointed
out The granite and some other mate
any building that may t,s determined upoD buI
the granite Will have 10 he worked over al con-
siderable loss. Tue contract for laying the con-
crete foundation Tor the entire building has been
let, and Mr.. Clark l. reported as saying that II II
II annuled OF course the contractor must b. COM
pelsaleQ; that II might not Oe necessary 10 nav
The full amount OF the contract, but whatever /,
paid Will De a dead lJsS.
But outside the question OF direct loss national
prloe should have prevented the passage OF such a
resolution as that introduced by Mr. RYAN A, We
lately and frequently have had occasion 10 re-
mark, liberal expenditures In public buildings and
al othsr he.sssary pubic work, In View OF the
would be not Only good economy, but also the
wtSest policy as regards general business
interests Tie penny-saying policy OF many
OF our legislators Is lot a. ali In the inter-
estS OF this great nation. and IA saying this we
refer not alone 10 our public buildings out TO the
necessities u our Navy, the protection OF our
cities, aud the improvement OF our har-
tors and water-courses, all OF which need
penditure which would rebound u the best
Interests OF the whole country, not alone In the
present, but Tor all time. Ample INTERPRETATIONS
Tor such purposes would at once rate the i'm
dened ana accelerate the wheels OF trade Through
Out tbs Land.