The Republican., 1891-09-25
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Duties Of the Supervising
Architect of the Treasury.
One of the Most Interesting Bureaus In
the Government Servlce-Small SAL
aries Paid for Good Work.
Personal Chat.
Especial Washington letter.

Probably the busiest bureau in any
of the executive departments to-day is
the office of the supervising architect
Of the treasury. The Fifty-frst con-
eress which was exceptionally prolific
III the passage of liberal appropriation
bills was unusually kind to many of the
small towns and cities throughout the
country. 1t seemed for a time as
though every member on the majority
side of the house of representatives
would secure the passage of bill for
the erection of a public building at
some point within his district. Inas-
much as each public building costs on
an average $3.50, 900 it was exceedingly
fortunate for the taxpayers of the re-
public that the autocratic speaker de-
clined to recognize motions for the
passage of great many of the pending
bills.
The total amount finally appropriated
for public buildings was S12, ,929,972. In
addition to this, the congress made ap-
preparations which are called Limited
appropriations" That is, they appro-
priated small amounts for buildings
which would ultimately cost larger
sums. For instance bill was passed
appropriating 100000 for the erec-
ton of public building at the national
capital; S250,OOO of which was to be
available, the remainder will be appro-
priatcd from time to time as circum-
stances may warrant.
1t is impossible for anyone outside it's
immediate precincts to appreciate the
magnitude and requirements of the
supervising architects Office. This
branch Of government service holds a
place second to none in Importance.
Millions of dollars are appropriated an
nually for the erection of public build
ings in every quarter of the United
States. These buildings must be de-
signed, the construction carefully
studied out, working drawings made,
specifications prepared, contracts Leland
the work of building superintended by
the office of the supervising architect.
To do the work imposed upon it by
congress it has large number of enSi-
ncers, architects, heating and ventila-
ting experts, iron specialists, designers,
modelers, tracers and clerks; also trav-
cling inspectors, who inspect and report
upon the work in progress from time to
time. None but those skilled in their
several branches are employed, since
the character of the work requires the
best talent procnrable. 1t is safe to as
sert as a class that the technical force
now in the employ of the Office is far
above the average. This is as it should
be, for the government work is done
upon a large scale. The average cost
of the buildings erected each year by
the Office is far above the work done
in any private establishment in the
country. Where a private architect
may erect one or two large buildings in
a season, those turned out by the gov
ernment force are all termed large
buildings
Most of the draughtsmen employed
by the government are gentlemen who
have received good technical education
and a majority of them have been asso-
ciated with the best recognized practical
architects. These men, brought together