Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-21

The reopening yesterday Of senatorial
debate on the bill providing for the con-
struction of a new Government Printing
Office building developed unanimity of
sentiment as to what is really the most
essential point in the discussion-the ex-
tremely dangerous condition of the struct-
ure in which three thousand men and
women are daily engaged in earning live
lihood- But there is unfortunate proba-
bility that this extremely important con-
sideration will at least be obscured, If not
entirely lost sight of. in 4 heated differ
ence Of opinion to the desirabiIity Of
several sites which are being urged upon
Congress In tines past, like disagree
-nents have resulted in completely defeat
ing the humane efforts of a few to bring
about abandonment Of the present rickety
structure and the erection of a roomy,
solid and well ventilated building. In the
course Of his remarks yesterday Senator
Vest said it was a notorious fact that the
situation of the public printing office to-
day was a public scandal Our commit
tee." said he. visited it and went through
il. A portion of it is considered unsafe.
IL any Senator feels any doubt about the
question let him read the report of the
public printer. who says that in the event
of a fire there would be a loss of human
appalling every one who considered it.
Time has become the essence of this ques-
ton. We might waive the question of
economy: We might say a few hundred
thousand dollars even a million dollars
should not enter into the determination
of this question, but when we consider
the condition of the printing office today
il Is impossible to evade the conclusion
that further delay by Congress in regard
to this matter becomes absolutely criminal
We have there thousands Of people hud-
died together. Until recently there were
no fire escapes upon one side of that build
ing. and but two weeks ago the Senate
and House passed a resolution, coming
from committee. providing for fire
escapes. which have not been there for
years. Even with these additional fire es-
capes If a fire should occur there now the
disaster of Ford's Theater would sink into
insigniicance and be almost obscured and
forgotten. Therefore. 1 repeat that i'm
mediate action becomes of vital import
ance"
To this plain statement Senator Sherman
added an emphatic announcement of his
opinion, to the effect that the House which
Mr.. Wendell built at the corner of North
Capitol and H streets, was entirely unfit
for the uses to which it is now put He
said: ''It has none of the ordinary incl
dents or necessities of modern warehouse
or improvements which are essential in a
place where men and women labor. 1t is
almost entirely a framework, a frame with
. brick wall outside, not sufficient. in my
Judgment, to maintain even the timbers
and heavy weights which Mr.. Wendell used.
Since that time the government employ
ment has been so greatly increased and the
n ,bar OF he he'd aSfly mn IL
piled that the building is absolutely unsafe.
1t IL an outrage and shame upon the
working people who are employed there to
endanger their lives. as they are daily en-
dangered by the occupation of that build
ing. 1t Is now overloaded 1t has been con-
demned by everybody who has seen it, and
It ought to be abandoned without delay.
y seems to me that We are all in a sense
IDponsible when We continue the existence
Of that building for the printing Office Dusi-
ness"
The Star is absolutely careless as to sites.
1t has not the shadow of an interest in the
real estate phase of the matter and would
not lift finger to aid in the reaching of
the conclusion But it does insist that long
eontinued discussion is fraught with a pos
sibility Of horror; that every days delay
means SO much more of discomfort and
compelled to toll in a shored-up shell which
is liable to collapse or be burned up at any
moment This condition is recognized by |
every Senator and Representative who has
01ven even a little attention to the matter, |
and yet there is promise of dissension and |
debate well nigh interminable. If there is |
real desire on the part of the House and |
Senate committees on public buildings and |
grounds to make highly-probable catastro- |
phe impossible, the disagreeing members |
should get together at the earliest moment |
and reach a conclusion that shall be pre-
scented to both Houses as the very best |
thing to be done under the circumstances |
The matter of few dollars more or less |
sinks into utter insignificance when COM
pared with the value of lives momentarily |
threatened in the great death-trap at North |
Capitol and H streets.