Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22

tees on public buildings and grounds OF
both houses referring to House bill 1614,
then under consideration in the House COM
mittee, as follows:
:" I have the honor to state In behalf OF
this department that the necessity for
such a building cannot be too strongly
urged. The files rooms in this building are,
as a rule, overcrowded, and have been Tor
number of years past, and to relieve them
some of the papers and documents to
which reference is rarely made were trans
ferred to and placed In the basement
ground floor of the Winder building, where
they are packed in a solid mass. which
makes them inaccessible for reference
without great labor, and where they are
exposed more or less to dampness. which
must in time destroy their usefulness.
THE papers and documents were not
transferred to the Winder building until
every expedient was resorted to to relieve
this building from its overcrowdea conai
ton Three of the corridors in the attic
are shelved and filed with files and papers
SO exposed that evil-disposed persons can
tamper with them. Within the last year
large number of vouchers were distracted
by one of the laborers Of the department
for the internal revenue stamps when tney
bore, and the vouchers subsequently de-
stroyed by him. Other portions OF the
building are 50 crowded, and the lilies so
located as to be almost inaccessible in case
OF fire, and the destruction which might
arise from such an outbreak would be IL
reparable, and vast interests OF the gov
eminent placed in Jeopardy
Congress Wants Plan.
"By the act of Congress approved June
II, 1885, the Secretary of the Treasury was
directed to submit to Congress plan CIV
ing the size and general characteristics Of
public building to be used for hail OF
records in the city of Washington. He
was required to consult with the heads of
other departments, and the proper officers
of 70 and he
pecially directed to consider and report
Upon the suitableness for a site for such
a building on the public reservation at the
intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues
with 10th and 18th streets, or any other
grounds located in the city within rea-
sonable distance from the departments
In compliance with this act, ON January Z.
1897 the secretary reported to the Presi-
dent of the Senate that the reservation
mentioned is conveniently located for the
construction of such building, but 1 am
not prepared to make fiisal report upon
the subject at this time on account of the
fact that questions have arisen concern
ing the character of the soil at that point
stantial foundation. If further in
vestigatiOn Of this site Is desired by Con-
gress it will be necessary to make an ap-
preparation for that purpose. Pro-
tests against the selection of this reserva-
ton as q site for the proposed building
have been filed in the department by a
number of people who have heretofore
used 1t as a market This depart
ment Is In receipt of estimates from other
departments of the government showing
the probable space required in the propos-
ed building, and Is awaiting further infor-
nation from those departments concerning
the real property, II any, improved or I'M
improved, owned by the government and
under their control in the city of Washing
ton which might be available for the site
of the proposed building -
I'm his annual 1897 ha
tary stated that the need for such build
ing was imperative, and that nothing had
since developed to modify change the
conditions as stated in the letter above
quoted. He urged that legislation be enact
ed extending the powers of the Secretary
OF the Treasury. and that such an appro-
priation be made as would be necessary to
pursue the inquiry further.
January last the Secretary of the
Treasury addressed letter to the Senate
committee on public buildings and grounds
reporting on the Senate bill authorizing
the acquisition Of a site at the corner Of
Ohio avenue and 18th street, now occupied
by the Cyclorama building, and the Secre-
tary said that until 1t should be definitely
determined by tests, borings. etc. tnat the
site at the intersection Of Ohio and Louis
lena avenues with 10th and 18th streets is
not available for the erection of a hall of
records thereon the department did not feel
justified In recommending the purchase Of a
site for such a building. The site proposed
In the bill was stated to be not so conven-
fently located with reference to the Capitol
and the Post Office and Interior depart
ments as could be wished. The proposition
to utilize the Cyclorama building, now at
the corner Of Ohio avenue and 18th street.
was also objected to as being likely to re-
suit in patchwork construction, which
would be expensive, unsatisfactory and
lacking In dignity and stability of appear
ance. which should characterize the build
irgs erected in this city by the govern
ment Senate bill 2771 was under consider
fYna ovtthn ufp tfn
purchase of the old Congressional Globe
building. The Secretary Of the Treasury
reported as to this bill as follows:
If 1t is intended to provide a hall Of
records for the purposes indicated in the
act of June II, 1896, the acquisition OF the
Congressional Globe building will not be
necessary, as the plans for the proposed
with the provisions of the act above re-
ferred to and which will be forwarded to
Congress within q short time, will in
space for the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives.'
The Proposed Site and Plans.
January IA. 1893, the Secretary Of the
Treasury addressed letter to the Speaker
Of the House. transmitting tentative plans
for building at the intersection of Ohio
and Louisiana avenues with 10th and 18th
streets. In referee . to the site the Secre-
tary says: 1t Is to be noted, however, that
the Potomac river in time Of flood has sew
eral times covered the proposed site. On
June 2. 1889. 1t flooded the reservation to
depth OF about 4 feet 6 inches The Sec
Rotary estimated that the building should
have capacity of approximately 1000. 900
cubic feet.
Design "A Of dimensions suited to the
site referred to In the act Of Congress
provides for q building nine stories In
height. 400 feet by I'D feet. estimated to
cost 81 100 900; design b. for building
suited to q larger site. should one be puf-
chased, four stories in height, 400 feet byi
garding this design the Secretary says:
IT win be observed that the capacity
Of this desfsn. experimenting I.0oO.OOo