Evening star., 1898-10-31
Light on the Post Office Work.

b-ost o"tt
1t has been apparent for many months
that the Washington city post office build
ing cannot be regarded as a model of quick,
good or economical construction Citizens
. who have watched the course of the work
have noticed the many delays involved,
have heard the varied and not always sat
isfactory explanations advanced by the re-
sponsble officials, have seen the evidences
Of bad workmanship which were apparent
10 any casual observer, and have marveled
that such things could be. The Star has
already sought the reasons for this condi-
ton of affairs. Four years ago it under
took to ascertain why the work was drag
ging and was forced to the conclusion that
the administra ton OF the supervising arch
itectS office was primarily at fault that
the entire system employed in government
construction was wrong. and that the rem
sdy lay IN a radical revision of the pro-
1rSScS.
There has never been any thorough in
ve>tigHfinu of the reason why this build
ing. which has cost already enough 10 build
half again as large a structure under eco
uomieaI and sensible management. has oc-
Cupird close upon seven years in its erec-
ton Some seasons ago a spasmOdic effort
in this direction was made by congress
sional committee. actuated by the revela-
ti'n that the building was being made a
hretrap by the introduction of large guam
Titles of lumber for the roof construction.
This inquiry came to naught, but the con-
victi"n remained strong with those who had
followed the course Of the construction that
there was need of strict inquiry into
every branch Of the work especially as it
was then and is now generally believed
that the Washington building could be ac-
cepted as d type of the work done by the
Treasury Department in other citles
One month ago the building came promi-
n-rtiy into notice once more as a result of
the dismissal Of the then superintendent of
construction. DIR. Steward. 1t was alleged
by the department officials that Mr. Stew
ard was incompetent that he had been in
cuiiusion with the contractors, and that he
mad delayed tie completion of the build
ing In defending himself, Mr. Steward
makes certain statements printed else
where in The Star, which should be care
fully read by every thinking citizen and
should result in an invest cation by some
y"mpetent authority into the ways and
means of this construction and the methods
~ vogue in the architects Office.
If MIR. Stewards charges are true this
government has been muIcted out of
large sum Of money and has been put to
serious Inconvenience through the fault of
some one or more orficiaIs. The charges
aIieGe. in substance. first. that the building
has been badly designed: second. that the
Unhusin"sSlike methods employed in the
bureau have caused many needless delays;
third. that the lack Of comprehensive
plan and proper specifications has cost the
%, s,F,,..-
fourth. that bad work has been accepted by
the bureau. against the recommendation of
the superintendent; fifth that the building
X n Hrrtrap: sixth. that large sums have
been squandered in so-called extras"
which represent only the inefficiency of the
officials Of the bureau or their complaisance
toward the contractors; seventh, that the
bureau mas apparently preferred this course
&" more bCsinessIike method after its at
t"nt1on has been pointedIy called to the
true state Of the case.
These charges present a formidable in
dictment- Enough is known without refer
tnce 10 Mr.. Stewards allegations TO indf-
cate that there is sufficient truth in some of
these accusations to warrant a rigid in
quiry- The mere fact that the building has
required nearly seven years for construc-
tinn Is of itself sweeping condemnation
of the processes employed. The case is al
ready fairly made up against the system
regardless of individuals. 1t remains for
the Secretary of the Treasury TO take an
propriate steps TO sift this matter TO the
bottom If he cannot clear up the mystery
which surrounds this building and its his
tory some one of the congressional COM
mittees ought TO find time and opportunity
10 begin a systematic survey Of the govern
ment ; building bureau. to disclose faults
[" prevent losses, and TO provide better
method oi using the public funds for the
public works