Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-16
HALL OF RECORDS.
Bill For a 100000 Building Passes
the Senate Today.
BUILDINGS IN THIS CITY
General Discussion of Local Build
ings Draws Out Varying Views.
FOR A NEW STOREHOU E.

FOR A NEW STOREHOUS Sc.
The Senate today, after short discussion
which indicated a decided sentiment among
a majority Of the Senators for providing
this city with some method Of relief from
the overcrowded public buildings SO that q
repetition of the Fords Theater disaster
would not be probable. passed the bill intro
duced by Senator Vest providing for q Lew
hall Of records in this city.
Mr.. Vest reported the bill favorably from
the committee on public buildings and
grounds and asked for its immediate con-
sideration.
He spoke of the overcrowded condition Of
the executive departments, and referred es-
pecially to the Maltby building. IN which q
number of the Senators have their rooms.
He said that public documents were piled
up on the first floor Of the Maltby building
to such an enormous weight as to be pull
ing 1t down. The folding room Of the Sem
ate and the Maltby contained now over
n.oOO volumes belonging to Senators. which
would never be called for. And Congress
was continuing to order needlessly the
printing Of books and documents at a large
expense. The old fetid odor Of decaying
paper IN the folding room Of the Senate
affected the whole Capitol. and was polut-
The patent office mad recently hireS a
building outside for the storage of their
valuable papers. The papers had recently
mYS,estigated naS,aH gated this matter and had loudly
. Mr: Hoar suggested that there We're pub
lie libraries throughout the country which
Socnmsnss %Saa gaay n receive many these public
Der OF their patrons who were interested
IN the matters which these documents
treated OF. He thought that the committee
on printing could make some arran2ements IS
oy which a number OF these documents
could be disposed OF.
The Recent Disaster.
Mr.: Mcpherson Of New Jersey indorsed
all that had been stated by Senator Vest.
He referred to the recent disaster at
Fsrd's Theater. and cited this as a reason
why there should not be a moments de-
lay in removing these documents from
the Maltby House. in order that another
such dtsgraceful catastrophe to the ma
tnnS capital should be avoided. He un-
defstood that the storing of the documents
IN the basement had already had the effect
OF tearing apart some of the brickwork in
the building. He believed the committee
on public buildings and grounds should
take 1t upon themselves to have these doc
uments removed at once-today.
Mr.. Butler introduced a resolution at
this point providing that the serseant-at-
arms of the Senate should distribute to
States such pubic documents as were un.
claimed by the committees by the 18th of
next December.
Mr.. Hale added his Endorsement to the
views of the Senator from Missouri. He
said that 1t was impossible to go through
the executive departments without firding
the halls. which should be free. crowded
with these documents. which not only made
the halls unsightly and unhealthy, but in
some instances unsafe.
A New Senate Document Room.
At this point Mr.. Vest disclosed the fact
that he had prepared bill, which he would
introduce in day or two providing for
the appropriation Of $500 for the con-
owned by the government adjoining the
Maltby building to be used as a folding
room for the Senate 1t VIII have a 'front.'
age Of thirty-five feet and a depth Of nine
ty feet. The plans and specifications were
already prepared and provided for a strong,
secure and roomy structure.
Mr. Cell said that for the past two wears
he had occupied room in that building
and he was unaware of there being any
In resoonse to a question Mr. Vest said
that the bill was the same which had been
recommended formerly by the heads OF the
departments, and that the building was to
be constructed SO that it would be entirely
fire-proof.
Mr.. Hale was of the opinion that the ap-
cure the character of building that should
be constructed. but Mr.. Vest assured him
that the plans and specifications had all
been prepared, and he thought that the sum
was entirely sufficient. as 1t was his inten-
tion to locate the building. II possible. on
some property already owned by the gov
Mr.. Allison said that he was only aware Of
the Judiciary Square. which was available
tSr tSot that purpose, ana ne eSpressed the nope
tee to locate this warehouse there.
Mr.. Call said that he would not be able
the erection of public buildings on the
parks of the city, for 1t was upon them that
Washington depended for her great beauty.
md ha NOT haf hoo pfNvd frSaxy
Mr.. Villas then revived the idea of locat-
ing all the future public buildings on the
south side Of be
street. He believed this plan to be an ex-
cellent one from many standpoints, and
amendment mel @ providing that the hail ieu Of rec sH
ords should be erected somewhere on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue between
Mr. Vest explained that he had formerly
favored that proposition and still maintain
ed that opinion, but he did not think that
this bill, which was SO sorely needed. should
be hindered by such a provision, as IL would
mean delay, as has been the case when
ever the government has attempted to pur
hoped that Mr.. Villas would not press his
amendment and on this request Mr.. Villas
withdrew the amendment.
The bill was then passed.
The Bill Passed.
The bill appropriates s3oO.o 900 for the rur-
chase of a site and the erection thereon
of brick and metal fireproof building. to
be used for the safe-keeping Of such re-
cords Of the executive. legislative ard Jr-
dicial departments as are MT required in
said departments for constant reference.
The site for the building shall be selected
by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Sec
retary of War and the Secretary of State.
the price to be fixed If possible ny agree
ment between them and the owner or
owners thereof. The cost OF the site is
limited to $4,000 In case no agreement rs
to price can be reached condemnation pro-
ceedings GRE provided Tor.
Checks and Internal Revenue Taxes.