Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-31

Of rare value, for the most part such as no
where else can be duplicated, and yet the vast
collection Of other wonderful materials packed
away out OF sight and stored away in the base
ment or catacombs of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. perhaps subject to some peril from land
Of second building, equal or greater in size
than the first. to hold, preserve and properly
exhibit them to the public. The wide
extent Of our country and the ac-
tivity and scientific enthusiasm OF many
Of our military, naval and civil OFF,
late great riches In natural history and in many
other directions, almost without money and
without price; but however cheaply obtained
they will be regarded as of priceless value and
must be properly housed and preserved.
THE aovERSMfNr PRINTING BUILDING
10 mixture Of the old and new, bit added
here and there ss sudden wants appeared, no
part Of it fire proof, lacking many Of the con-
vsniences that an establishment 90 large should
have. from which the best class Of work is de-
manded, and in which SO large q number of
employees are at work day and night has long
been held to be an inferior building and per-
haps dangerous to the lives of those who occupy
1t. Certainly this should not be the last sub
ject to which Congress should give some atten-
ton.
The executive mansion for years has been
found inadequate for domestic purposes and
for the executive officers that are necessary to
be present. More extensive accommodations
are needed, but whatever may be done the
present extraordinarily fine architectural struc-
ture should not be mutilated.
hall of records is greatly needed for the
use OF all the departments, and bill has al
ready passed the Senate for this object. The
director OF the geological survey is urgently
asking for large building for the important
work which is done under his learned and
very competent direction. For the coast sur
vey we have for many years leased expensive
quarters. and we are doing the same for the
census Office and for the city government.
The interstate commerce commission and the
bureau Of education also lease private build
ings.
THE QUESTION OF SITES.
1t may be asked, Where can proper sites be
found for all the buildings that may be wanted?
One point it is to be hoped is forever settled,
namely, that no more buildings shall be placed
upon any public reservation. 1t is said to have
been favorite idea of MIR. Douglas, when here
as Senator from Illinois, not only to enlarge
public reservations of this city. but to take the
whole south side Of Pennsylvania avenue, from
the Capitol to the Treasury department, and
use 1T for the site Of such public buildings as
might be wanted. This proposal may still be
worth considering. The government is paying
considerably over 800, 900 annually for the
rental OF inconvenient, awkward, unsafe build
lngs, and some of them at very extravagant rates.
One other point, whatever buildings may be
erected should be absolutely fire proof or as
near that as possible. The Treasury depart
ment was once destroyed by fire; the patent
Office has twice been greatly damaged by fire;
the congressional library also has suffered
severely by fire: the Smithsonian, too, was con-
siderably hurt by fire.
'Surely, with all the wants indicated and
several more that might be mentioned Con-
gress ought not, while dealing literally with
all the states as to public buildings, to wholly
neglect the District of Columbia"
The committee on public buildings and
grounds was then ordered to report by bills or
otherwise and the matter dropped, with every
Senator in the chamber apparently satisfied
that great necessity existed which should be
attended to as soon as possible.