Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-06
Architects to Compete on Public
Buildings.
10 RAISE GOVERNMENT STANDARD
Secretary Gage to Enforce the
Tarsney Act.
REGULATIONS PREPARED

One Of the most important functions of
Secretary Gage in his administration of
the affairs Of the Treasury Department is
the practical enforcement Of the so-called
Tarsney act providing for competitive
plans and specifications for public build
| ings. The act I'm question was approved
February 20. 1893. but it has never been
| put into operation. Secretary Carlisle held
that the act was vague. indefinite and in
complete in its provisions. and he sug-
gested to Congress several important
| amendments and additions. in order to
have 1t meet his views as to the necessi-
ties of the situation.
No action was taken by Congress, how
ever. and the law remains on the statute
books in its original form. Although not
| entirely agreeing with the provisions of
the act. Secretary Gage thoroughly in
dorsed the general idea of competition in
designs for public buildings, with a view
to an improved architecture and he de-
termined to put the act to the test Of a
practical operation.
With that end in view. he instructed Mr..
kemper. the acting supervising architect,
to prepare a series of regulations predi-
Gated on the law. Mr.. Kemper prepared
scheme. and it was thoroughly consid-
cred by Secretary Gage and Assistant Sec
Rotary Spaulding.
The result was the PRONUNCIATION today of
ment of the act:
Regulations Prepared.
Regulations for the enforcement of the
act approved February 20, 1893, to enable
the Secretary of the Treasury to obtain,
by competition among architects, plans,
drawings and specifications for public
buildings. to be erected under the super
vision of the Treasury Department.
By virtue Of the authority contained in
the act Of Congress. approved February
20 1Sa3 entitled An act authorizing the
Secretary of the Treasury to obtain plans
and specifications for public buildings. to be
erected under the supervision of the Treas
ury Department. and providing for local
supervision. Of the construction of the
same the Secretary of the Treasury here
by declares his purpose to enforce said act
with reference to such buildings as may he
hereafter selected by him, subject to the
following regulations:
1. At least five architects of good profess
sional standing, who are citizens of the
United States, shall be invited by the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to submit plans.
drawings and specifications in accordance
with the conditions set forth in these regu-
lations; and such plans. drawings and
specifications shall be passed upon rs to
merit by the commission herein provided
for.
=. A commission shall be appointed by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, consisting
Of the supervising architect of the Treasury
anu Two dICliitcCtS, VI eADti -
in the construction of buildings. whose duty
1t shall be to judge and report to him as to
the relative merit of the designs and plans
submitted.
g. The office of the supervising architect
will furnish full data and information as
to cost and general requirements OF the
buildings placed in competition under these
regulations, and the successful architect
will be awarded commission to prepare
complete plans, drawings and specifications
and to locally supervise the buildings won
in any competition.
f. The architect to whom said commits
sion is awarded will receive in compensa-
ton for his full professional services in
Guiding local supervision OF said building,
fee computed at the rate OF five per CEN
tum 6 per cent? upon all sums up TO nVe
hundred thousand dollars (sJ00O0O, three
and one-hslf cs'a) per centum upon the
next five hundred thousand dollars &5OO.-
OCO or any part thereof, and two ana one
half (21a) per oentum upon any excess be-
yond one million dollars &1,OOO,oO0).
5. 1t must be understood that no claim
shall be made upon the United States
by any successful competitor for any fee
percentage or payment whatever. or any
expense incident to, or growing out or
his participation n this competition.
6. The departr ent agrees to make Sc
lection from the designs submitted If, In
its opinion, one + litable in all respects. as
to design, detail and cost, be submitted;
but expressly reserves the right to re-
ject any and all plans designs and speci-
petition, if, in the opinion of the commits
sion herein referred to. or of the Secretary
of the Treasury. no design suitable in all
respects has been submitted.
Estimate Must Go Along.
Z. Each competitor must submit with his
plans detailed estimate Of cost.
g. 1t must be understood that a COMPETE
tor will forfeit all privileges under these
regulations VINO shall violate any of the
conditions governing this competition. or
who shall seek in any way, directly or in
directly. to gain advantage by influencing
in his favor any of the commission.
8. No member OF the commission herein
referred to shall have any interest what
ever. direct or indirect. in any design sub
mitted in this competition or any associa-
ton with. or employment by. any of the
competitors, and no employee of the Treas
ury Department shall be allowed to enter
the competition herein provided for.
TO- Each set of drawings, with its accom-
panying description, must be securely