Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-02
AN ARCHITECTURAL BOARD
The Bill Providing for It to Be Urged
for Passage.
Many Reasons Given Why Such a
Measure Should Become
Law.

Mr.. Bruce Price of New York, chairman
of the legislative committee on government
architecture is in the city for the purpose
of urging the adoption of the bill intro
drced IN the House by Representative Nc
Kaig, and in the Senate by Mr.. Brice, for
|, the constitution of a commission Of high
. character to have charge of the archi-
tectural work of the government. This bill
has been approved by Secretary Carlisle.
The committee of architects advocate the
passage of this bill for the following rea-
sons: 1t is purely administrative in it's
character; it's object is 10 correct an in
efficient system which was instituted years
ago, and which has become not only obso-
lete, but positively pernicious; it does not
interfere with the present system in so far
as that system is efficient, but tends to re-
lieve the present system of a burden to
which it is not equal, and to enact proper
measures to provide for this part Of the
work.
1t asks for no appropriations or expendi-
ture of money, but aims on the contrary,
to effect economy in the expenditure OF
the moneys, and to raise the character or
the work to the highest standard of the
present age.
In raising the standard of the work it
will raise. the standard of the art, create
opportunities, and result in covering this
country with monuments which will even
tually compare with those of other coun-
tries, and in time perhaps excel them.
1t has received the hearty approval of
everybody concerned or interested, on
whichever side of the question they may
be. 80 .-..f -.~t
1t will not legislate out of Office any of
the present office holders-many of whom
have served the government faithfully for
many :years-because the work now in hand
under the present system, and the MAIN
tenance Of the buildings now completed,
will demand the services of this force for
many years to come, and it only applies to
future work. -
, 1t will relieve the Secretary of the Treas
ury of all work of an expert character, for
which he must necessarily depend upon
outside advice, by placing at his disposal
in this come ction expert board of the
highest standing.
Not only will the buildings be equal to
the best types that are erected in the
United States, both artiStically and con-
Structtvely, but they will be built, stat
ed by the committee of the House, at a
saving Of at least 30 per cent on the actual
cost of construction at least three years
in the time of construction, saving not only
the interest on the cost of the land and the
cost of construction, besides salaries of
superin tendents, watchmen, ETC., during
this period-the cost of repairs and MAIN
also three years rent for temporary quar-
tiers pending completion Of buildings.
1t can be demonstrated by figures that
under the new bill. with better buildings.
erected in a much shorter time, the cost of
the construction of the buildings. the COM
missions Of the architects and the necessary
appropriation for the supervising archi-
tect's office, the United States government
annum, as compared with the present sys-
tenn.