Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-06-12
UNCLE SANS WORKSHOPS.


Duties Of the Architect of the Treas
ury Department-How the Public
Buildings Are Erected and Main
! tanned.
! Regular Correspondence of the SrANDAED.
Every Congress is asked to appro-
pirate money to construct government
buildings for use as postoffices, Gus
toms and revenue officers, and federal
court houses. More than three hun
dred such buildings have already been
constructed and are now in use.
The duty of planning, erecting and
maintaining these buildings, devolves
upon a special officer, known as the
Architect OF the Treasury Department.
He has force of about one hundred
and fifty assistants, but they are SO
crowded with work that plans for at
least twenty buildings provided for by
Congress several years since, have not
yet been made. The 5lst Congress
appropriated money for seventy new
buildings, scattered all over the coun-
try, without increasing the Office force
of the Architect.
When a building is wanted for any
purpose the architect tells an assistant
to make sketch of Gothic, Grecian,
or other style of structure which in a
general way would meet the require
ments Of the case, and the cost Of
which would be within a certain limit.
After this sketch is submitted and ap-
proved, the Roor plans are made with
the space divided as the nature of the
business to be carried on demands.
After this is completed, the plans are
submitted to expert computers and
builders, who carefully estimate the
cost of the building if made of marble,
granite, sandstone, or brick. If the
cost would exceed the appropriation,
they have to try again, or ask Congress
to vote more money.
After the plans are finally approved
they are photographed, and detailed
specifications are printed, and then
public notice is given that bids will be
received. Any contractor who applies
will be furnished with a set of the
plans and specifications.
Bids are submitted sealed, and &C.
companied by certified check for two
per cent. of the bid. At the day ad-
vertised the bids are opened and tabu-
lated. If there are several bids near
together, the one made by the most
reliable party is accepted. it need not
be the lowest bid. If the party to
whom the work is allotted, does not
wish to 60 on with it, his certified
check is forfeited. The checks of un-
successful bidders are returned to
them. After bid is accepted, bond
for one-half the amount OF tho bid is
prepared and signed, and the work is
begun, always under the supervision
OF an officer appointed by the govern
ment. In large buildings it is Gus.
tomary to make separate contracts for
foundation, superstructure, interior
finishing, heating and plumbing, as
the work progresses.
For such building as that now be.
ing erected in Chicago, costing some-
thing like four million dollars, a years
preliminary work is required before a
sod is turned.
Aside from erecting new buildings,
the Architect Of the Treasury also has
charge of all government buildings
now in use, both as to maintenance,
alterations and repairs. Emergency
repairs can be ordered at once, but in
case of changes in plans, an inspector
is sent to the place to examine and
report. Six field inspectors are con-
stantly employed, going from place to
place and looking after this work.
In the Office are employed about
forty trained architects, builders and
civil engineers, and about fifty drafts
men. as we'll as numerous others, each
skilled in his own particular line OF
work.