Evening star., 1898-12-06
u. S. FIN ANCES
Continued from Tenth Page.)

Continued from Tenth Page)
| fot the invitation of proposals for the cree
| Ii0n of the buildings named.
| Active building operations have rs vet
however. been commenced on only one,
| that being the immigrant building at Ellis
Island. 1t is too early, therefore, to form
| any just opinion TO the probable results
| as to cost or successful admtnistra ton.
| The accepted drawings for this building
| however, were highly creditable and dis
played careful thought and study cn the
| Tart OF the successful architects.
HALL OF RECORDS.
The necessity for a hall of records in
this city, in which may be safely stored,
against accident from fire, the large ac-
CUmulation of valuable documents which
now encumber the files of this and CO.
ordinate departments, is again called to the
attention of Congress. The Secretary of
| War. i'll 1878, called attention to the dan
sHr"us situation of records of great value
in the auartermaster generals office.
~ various times Congress has recognized
the situation and has enacted legislation,
the earliest being in the sundry civil bill,
approved August I. 1Ss2, in which the
supervising architect Of this department
was directed to make Il report to the fol-
lowing session of Congress in regard to the
matter. The supervising architect, on Jan
uary II. 1883. reported in favor of a site
known as ''Armory Square" between 9th
ami 9Th streets southwest. Plans and
specifications were prepared for the build
ing on this square, and it was estimated
that the probable cost would be 81 UstiN54.
Jrder date of December 49, 1888. the
President transmitted to Congress q COM
municatiOn from the Secretary of War, set
ting forth the necessity for fireproof
building, and renewed the recommended
tons of former years. An interval of
nearly ten years then elapsed without any
further action being taken. either by Con-
gross or by the executive departments.
IN April. 1896, the Secretary of the Treas
Vly addressed letters to the committees on
public buildings and grounds, referring to
House bill No. 7614. then under considera-
tn" necessity for the construction of such a
huji3ing.
The act Of Congress approved June II,
1896. directed the Secretary of the Treas
ury to submit to Congress plan giving
tn" size and general characteristics of a
structure to be used as d hall of records
it this city. He was required to confer
With the heads of the various depart
uerts, and inquire into and report upon
t1e sHitG1lencSs of site fOr such Il build
ing on the public reservation at the inter
section of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with
10Th and l2th streets, OF any other grounds
located In the city within reasonable dis
tan"e from the departments.
January :. 1887. d report from the Sec
TetaTy of the Treasury was presented to
the President of the Senate, intmaEng that
IL" reservation mentioned was aonven-
ieuIiy located as q site for the building.
Final report could not then be made, how
ever. by reason of the fact that questions
had arisen concerning the character of tie
soil ana the practicabiiity of securing sat
isiart"ry founda tions. 1t was also neces-
sary, in order to pursue the inquiry, Tat
an appropriation he made for that purpose.
Jauuary /, lSsrS. the Secretary of the
Treasury addressed a letter to the secre-
t9'T Of the Senate committee on public
l4r la ING nd on
Senate bill authorizing the acquisition of
sit al the corner of Ohio avenue and 10Th
street. 1t was said that until 1t could be
deIIni teiT determined by tests. bOringS, etc,
thaI the site at the intersection of Ohio ana
Louisiana avenues with 10th and 18th
streets was not available for the erection
ct hat! of records thereon, the department
did not feel justified in recommending the
purchase of a site for such building. The
proposed site at 18th street and Ohio ave-
uUe seemed also to be somewhat remote
when considered III connection with the
Capitol and Interior Department.
January II. 1885, the Secretary of the
Treasury addressed letter to the Speaker
Of the House. transmitting tentative plans
for Il building al the intersection of Ohio
an" Louisiana avenues with 10th and 18th
streets.
Before any definite conclusion is reached
aS 4. the location of the building, careful
consideration should be given to the fact
that locating the building on land at the
Intersection Of Ohio and Louisiana avenues
With 1oth and 18th streets would entail
great expense for foundations. and would
b- most unfortunate for the reason that
jg,t section Of the city il subject, at in
t@CVai4. to iuundatiOus.
Tn expressions Of urgency so frequently
mt with in annual reports from the ac-
C""ntLg officers Justify the greatest insist
eUc> from tho Treasury Department in IT'S
recommendations for now and proper han
II records. II IS a public necessity. The
custody Of the files Of This and other cX
srutigr departments is matter iuyoiving
np-t Jealous care. The officials and en-
..-pvr- are trained TO look upon the preser-
.rtiru If records a. high duty. For
uaI- years the Treasury Department has
.eF. its flies III the treasury building, but
Il uaIlIT became 50 engurgcd as to inter
fer. materially with the working force, and
l- became necessary 10 secure another place
,5 storage. A building at 17O7 New York
3reu"r has been leased. Is is not fireproof,
HpC is it possible to obtain nreproof build
gug suitable for the purpose. In the event
III the obstruction Of the records now stored
therein, the department would suffer ire
parable loss Even at this time the fact
that IT." records of 1873 and 1874 Were burn
ed j. made apparent by frequent embar
raS,mcut to the public business. The de-
pdItmeut trusts that a worse calamity may
not prove more detrimental to its interests
FL the future.