Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-28
PUBLIC BUILDING
Annual Report of the Supervising Archi-
tect of the Treasury.
Changes Contemplated fn His Once
Post once Building.

Mr.Jeremiah O'Rourke, supervising archi-
tect Of the treasury. submitted his annual
report Of operations on public buildings to
Acting Secretary Curtis today. During the
past year there were under the control of
this Office 81 buildings. classified as fol-
lows: Completed and occupied. 273: under
course Of construction, repairs and modifi-
cations specially appropriated for. 90; active
operations not yet commenced IS; total,
371
The following statement shows the
amount expended on public buildings DUR
ing the year ending September 80. 1898: For
sites and in construction of new buildings
s., 1S7, ,943.4 for repairs and preservation OF
public buildings, $3.50. 729. "A; for heating ap-
paratus for public buildings. SIS. $50. IL: for
vaults. safes and locks for public buildings
$53. .242.10 for Photographic duplication OF
plans. $5.3SS13: total. "a. I26 1929,
Inadequate Appropriations.
The architect says that owing to the large
number of new buildings authorized by
Congress Of late years and the inadequacy
Of the appropriation of 100000 for the an.
nual expenses Of this Office, II has beer
found difficult to secure the services Of ar
adequate number Of skilled craftsmen fol
the requisite study and prompt development
Of plans of buildings for the public service
which, in design, arrangement. construc
ton and cost. should be in keeping with ths
correct canons of art favoring and express
ing, as they should. just and proper de-
velopment Of our national architecture.
Extreme pressure OF business, which die
not permit delay he says has hitherto pre-
vented the department from taking up tn,
consideration Of the revision of existinl
regulations necessary for carrying into ef
feet the act approved February 20. 1893
giving the Secretary of the Treasury dis
cretionary power to obtain, by competition
plans. specifications and the supervision o.
construction of public buildings. as advo
Gated by the American Institute of Archi
tects.
The architect says II is contemplated. IN
the interest of economy and greater ef
ficiency, to reduce the number Of divisions
to eight by consolidating the tracing will
the engineering and drafting division anc
the copying with the records and files di
vision. the details Of which and suggestioni
for general reorganization OF the Office viii
be submitted in a subsequent communica
ton.
What He Found.
On taking charge of the Office In Apri
last Mr.. O'Rourke says he found that tn,
plans. and in some cases the contracts, fo
the larger public buildings about to b,
erected had been hurried through their ini
tiatory stages as to design and arrange
ment, &C. while the bulk Of the office worl
had not been touched. making a promp
and thorough restudy Of all Of them a mat
ter Of absolute necessity. t-.-.
? fhfs applies more particularly 70 the i'm
portant public buildings at Kansas City
Mo-. Omaha Neb., Milwaukee, Wis. st
Paul. Mimi. New York city. Washington
d. c.. DC. He says he also found that al
most all matters relative to the location
and purchase Of sites for public building,
authorized by Congress had been anticf
pated and accomplished under the preced
ing administration.
Work tn This City.
The report contains a brief financial
statement OF the work on public building.
under construction In this city. Contrac
has been made for heating apparatus a.
the bureau OF engraving and printing, anC
the work Is nearing completion. The ap
preparation was S25.ooo. and the contrac
liabilities exhaust 1t all but SD.
The New Post once.
In regard to the Washington post offic.
the architect says that all general Dit ant
trench excavation, piling, concrete anc
stone footings. etc. are now complete, anC
contracts are In force for the supply O,
masonry Of superstructure and steel ant
iron structural work of first. second anc
mezzanine floors. The limit Of cost of thi,
building is sl9oOoOO. and the appropr1a
ions Tor the work aggregate 500 Ss tn,
total expenditure to September 30 last wa,
slcS6.o. and the contract liabilities arnount
to $541 ,329
During the year s2,I37 was expended ar
an inquiry as to the best method OF So p.
and vault facilities of the Treasury he
par'nient' out OF an appropriation of s., 900