Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-08
In another column win be found some inter-
eafinz facfa dexelonad Nv Col Co.. -..O..

In another column win be found some inter-
esting facts developed by Col. Casey's recent
report In reference to the new congressional
library building. This capable officer was di.
rected to report plans for a structure to cost
not more than four million dollars, and he has
done 30. The original plan, which had met
the approval Of the library committees and Of
Congress after long discussion and competition
with other plans. has been followed as closely
as he reduced cost permits. The prin-
eipaI change consists in removing the
interior court Of the original plan which
would give room Tor the future ,rowth of the
library. and the compression of the building
into compact structure, incapable of further
growth without spelling the architectural eff
feet The best library which could be built
within the amount limited was determined by
estimating the cost Of the original plan and BY
making the alterations necessary to reduce the
cost TO four million dollars. From this calcu-
lation it appears incidentally that the original
plan, with certain improvements in the direc-
ton OF simplifcation suggested by Col.
Casey, can be constructed for six million
dollars, an amount within less than two nil
lions Of the sum TO be paid for the building I'M
der the reduced plan The question naturally
presents itself, whether Congress will not act
wisely to authorize the construction of the six
million dollars building rather than that of the
four million dollars building The former
twill accommodate at first 1,6Os, 900 volumes;
win furnish at first extra space of 49, 900 square
feet; will accommodate ultimately 1851 600
volumes, and viii be filed with books in
ninety-siI years, and with the courtyard ad-
ditions, which can be made as described, in one
hmm arI
twill accommodate at first 1,16s,0O volumes;
viii furnish at first extra space of 26, 900 square
feet; will accommodate ultimately 2,215, 900
volumes, and will be filed with books in fifty
four years, but will not permit of any addition
except at the expense of architectural effect"
The government is erecting this building for
the future a. well as for the present. The
superior accommodations to be furnished by
the higher-priced structure are out Of all pro-
portion to the trifing difference in cost. The
principal reasons which led TO stoppage OF
the work on the library by the House last ses-
sion were the impression that deception con-
corning the expense of therproposed building
had been practised, personal objections of some
representatives to the architect under whose
management the work was progressing, and
doubts concerning the real expense to
WITCH Iue uat1On was committing
itself, which many thought would amount
TO ten million dollars, at least 4
clear light is now thrown upon the problem of
cost. 1t appears that the work already accom-
plished at considerable expense can be utilized
and the original plan with slight notifications
completed at q cost of six million dollars, not
by any means an exrravagant sum considering
the size, character and conspicuous location of
the building. The best building material and
workmanship, abundant space and absolute
protection against fire must be secured Archi-
tecturally the building must be an ornament,
not an eyesore. No cheap pension building
barn should disfgure Capitol Hill in the imme-
date vicinity of the Capitoitself This structure
inexpensive though six millions be allowed in
stead of four, is to be built under the direction
Of Col Casey, whose admirable work in connec-
ton with the new State, War and Navy build
ing and the Washington Monument has won
him the regard and confidence of everybody.
He can be depended upon to spend economi-
cally whatever sum may be allowed. and to
complete with six million dollars the building
which he assures Congress can be erected with
that amount Surely the House viii not permit
any prejudices lingering unreasonabiy from
the old controversy, or any promptings of
penny wise pound-foolish economy to prevent
ii from selecting that which is palpably the
better, and in the long run the cheaper, of the
alternative plans.