Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-20

n Congressional objections make their ap-
pearance in a most surprising fashion, and
some of them appear to be without the
slightest foundation in reason, but 1t Is
difficult to see how any member OF the
national legislature could possibly object to
the passage OF the bill which has been
framed for the purpose of providing this
city with municipal building. Senators
and Representatives who are interested in
District affairs saw long ago the unftness
Of the structure now occupied by the Dis
trict Commissioners and some Of their SUBJ
ordinates and have many times discussed
the desirability of such action as Is now
being taken; business and professional men
who have had dealings with the Commits
sioners and the officials in their offices
joined in advocating bette- conditions. For
awhile II was believed that the eX-ware-
house now occupied was merely uncomfort-
able and badly arranged, but a lengthy and
long-continued sick-report gave indication
OF faulty ventilation and defective sewerage.
The extent OF the evil, however, was not
known until recently, when careful and
expert Investigation revealed the existence
of ample cause for all the nl-health which
has been suffered by employees within the
last year or two. Very properly and with
out any unnecessary delay the Commission
with Chairman Bankhead of the House
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
and he assured them of his more than will
ingness to cooperate in the procuring of
suitable building. Yesterday the Commits
sioners forwarded to Chairman Bankhead a
bill which provides that they be and they
are hereby authorized and required to cause
to be erected on that part of the public res
ervation fronting the south side OF Penn
sylvanja avenue between 18th and 9th streets
In thc city of Washington not occupied by
the Washington Market Company a munich
pal building, according to plans and specin-
cations therefor to be approved by said
Commissioners and the architect in charge
OF the Capitol and the supervising architect
of the treasury, who are hereby constituted
a commission to decide upon plans and
specifications therefor. The cost OF said
building when completed not to exceed one
million two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars, one-half thereof to be charged against
the revenues Of the District of Columbia"
For the sum pe:ihed there can be erected
on the site named a building that will be
creditable alike to the District of Columbia
and to the general government, under whose
exclusive control the District of Columbia
is A small or mean-appearing structure in
such prominent location would be a dis
eAe~Cs oA0 lAAlS view lHcTe Will PROBABLY
be universal concurrence. Occasionally there
viii be heard the voice Of an American who
does not seem to realize that Washington
Is more closely related to the whole people
than any other city in the land and for a
time he falls to comprehend the plan OF this
cftys great founder-to make it a model
center OF population and a thing of beauty
for the whole world to admire The passage
OF the bill framed by the attorney for the
District should result il considerable actiyi-
~ among the leading architects of the coun-
try. More than year ago the American
Institute OF Architects started out in a
practical way to improve the architecture
or our public buildings. and had this organ
ization received the support 1t deserved II
would not now be criticising the Secretary
OF the Treasury for failing to take advan-
tage Of law that promised to result in
more artistic and more comfortable public
buildings. The necessity for the best has
however, been recognized by the Commits
sfoners, for the bill now before the House
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds
sets aside the sum of 5000 which may be
expended In premiums for the best designs
and plans. This should bring forth a build
ing worthy of the city-an example power
full enough to affect and change the appear
by the United States. The country is dotted
over with all manner of brick and stone
abortions occupied by United States officials
Some Of them are in Washington There
should never be another one.