New-York tribune., 1890-03-30
SITES FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
A NEW PLAN FOR THEIR SELECTION ADof iND
BY THE SUPERVISING ARcHITEcT-A
PROPOSED NEW LAW.
PROPOSED NEW LAW

PROPOSED NE" Law
washinrton March 20 (spcciaD.-A new piah
Of procedure has Just been naugurated Dy u'c oup,
,lsng Architect OF the Treasury In the lha'Oei u w
selection of sites for proposed public buiins'
out the country. The first practical apph'a''o'
~ the new rule was ordered yesterday IN the case
If the selection of the site for the Uovefhnen'
huilding which it IS proposed to erect at Spfins"'
Mo and about which much trouble mas a"c""'
hcen experienced. This new plan Is IN colso"ai.o
with the important form OF pubhc buiidihe on''
aon,cd nv the Senate Committees OF the two houses
arc at nrcsent in conference for the purpose of ar'
inc at an agreement upon the basis of this new FORM
rbch II l. intended to enact into general law III
s intoudod TO secure uniformity of proceeding, 10
facilitate the transaction OF business ana 10 ooVia'r
ss nearly as possible the allegations OF con'so" ann
fraud in the important matter OF selecting paoio
building sites. l.,
the bills providing for the erection OF pubic Du"s'
as nassed by IL thl, session. emitting from suoh DIS
an appropriation clause; whereas the senate Uis
have usually contained clause specHiiiy i"I.'''7
and limiting the amount Of each appropriations le'o
and kindred important differences between uic WV
houses have led 10 such criticisms as that Ha'c py
senator ingalls, that the bills as they come from '"e
House are unluten glblc and inscn,blc' Ihs House
strikes the appropriatng clauses from Senate bill'
and returns them to the Senate devoid OF tue nece'
sary money provision, but incOnslstehty lcaNc'
in the bills clauses which provide that certain
expenses shall be paid out of appropriations therein
made.
The new form of public building bills adopted by
the Senate which form Is I'm conference between
the two houses and in accordance with which the
supervising Architects office has modified It's pric
tee authorizes and directs the Secretary OF the
Treasury to acquire by purchase, condemnation or
otherwise the site, and to be erected thereon
proper building. including fire proof vaults heating
and ventatlng apparatus, elevators and approaches
the cost OF all. complete. not to exceed specified
sum. which the bill appropriatcs for that purpose
In addition specifically limiting the cost Of the new
structure the proposed law will require that
proposals the sale Of land fitted for the building
site shall be invited by public advertisement. Tho
proposals shall be addressed and mailed TO the sccrc
tary the Treasury, who shall then cause the pro
posed sites. and such other, he think proper To
designate. to be examined IN person by an agent
OF the Treasury Department. II the secretary shal!
not be satisfied with his agents report and recon-
mendatl0n he may appoint commission Of not moro
than three persons who shall also examine the
various sites and grant hearings In relation thereto.
and make written report Of their conclusion There
upon the Secretary shall finally determine the location
Of the building 10 be erected.
The only Immediately available money Appropriated
by the art l. much may be necessary for The
preparation Of sketch. plans. drawings, specifications
and ailcd estimates for the building by the super
until "A valid title 70 the site for the building shall
be vested In the Nlled states, or hnUl tlc Sldt
within which the building is 10 be situated shall have
ccded to the United states exclusive jurisdiction over
the same. After site shall have been paid for
and the sketch. plan, and detailed estimates for the
building snail have been prepared by the supervising
Architect. and approved by the secretary Of the
Treasury The rciary OF the Interior. and the
Po-tna- ''neral. the balance Of the appropriation
shall Do available Tor the erection and completion OF
the building. fhe building shall be uneA posed 10
danger from fire. by an open space OF at least forty
feet on each side. including streets and alleys
Among the bills that are now held up to await
The decision Of the disputed questions m confrrence
between the twO houses those for the pure hase
~ a site and the erection II Government building
~ Troy y y. Chester. Penn. llDultOu. Me.
Atchison kan: Lafayette Ind, Columbus, Ga. and