Evening star., 1899-02-11
tions on which the President has an afir-

tions on which the President has an af1ar-
native and negative.
From Rock Creek to Eastern Eranch.
From Monte clio President Jefferson
wrote, August %, 1901: II consider the
erection of the representatives chamber
| and making good gravel read from the
new bridge on Rock creek along Pennsylva-
MIA and New Jersey avenue to the Eastern
branch of the Potomac river as the most
important business for insuEing the destiny
of the city which can be undertaken. Ali
others appear to me entirely subordinate
and to rest on considerations quite distinct
from these. For the first of these works
the ordinary funds of1jthe city are under
stood to be competent. but not for the sec
ond, although according to rigorous law the
price of the site of the marine barracks
pledged to Congress should only have been
credited by them to the city. suppose
that Congress in consideration of ground
pledged to them as security would relax
the riSor Of their right and approve what
| has been done I should think it advisable
| to postpone the circular street around the
| Capitol because we have already a very
| practicable road ascending Capitol Hill at
| the north end of the building. Then apply
what remains of any funds the city can
| snare to rounding Pennsylvania avenue
| from the Presidents Snuare to Rock creek
and on to the upper brarch of the Potomac
river and then to round New Jersey ave-
rue from the work already done to the
eastern Drancn OF the IOtOmac.'
1t became necessary to extend regulations
RESPECTING private buildings in Washington
! and a proclamation by President jefferson.
| January Is. 1903, declared that all houses
which should be erected previous to Ian
| "arv- 1S't corofnrrnah'e in other respects
to the building regulations. should be con-
siaered as lawfully erected. except that no
wooden house covering more than 800
|, square feet or higher than twelve feet from
the sill to the cave should be erected nor
should such house be placed within twenty
four feet of any brick or stone house.
The Old Pnilding Regulations.
President Jefferson kept a close watch
over all that was transpiring in Washing
ton. as a note addressed by him to Com
missioner Monroe will demonstrate Under
date April &C. 1905, the President said:
Thomas jefferson presents his compli-
ments to Mr.. Monroe. He has this moment
seen a wooden house building on F street
near Mr.. Hoben's. which seems indubitably
beyond the limits allowed. He prays him
to have it examined and If found unlawful
to have injunctiors instantly served on all
liable to them l do not know whether it Is
the practice here to issue subpoena of in
junction without a bill filed. If it is, it
would be best to take out one Immediately
against the master carpenter and the owner
or employer. If it is not the CUSTOM then
the case should be stated by letter imme-
dlately by post to the attorney of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. and the bill desired from
two frames together is too palpable to need
consultation
President Madison is the next writer to
the board of commissioners, his letter
treating of the naval observatory on the
eminence overlooking the city and sur
rounding country. and from which it is pro-
posed now to erect the Grant Memorial
bridge to connect. the capital of the nation
with the National cemetery at Arlington.
the former residence of Robert E Lee
writing from Montpelier, July ~, 1916 to
Col Lane, President Madison says: HAY
ing full confidence in the Judgment of Mr.
Han'on, l take for granted that the site
chosen by him Tor an observatory is well
adapted to it. In comparing it, however
WIN WI. others 1t is necessary to attend to the
difference in the degree of fitness and in
the cost of ground and of convenience to
the public. When the site shall have been
ilnaliy decided on | shall avail myself of
your readiness to include the erection of
the observatory among the business com
mitted to your superintendence In the
meantime, be so obliging as to send me the
estimated expense of the building"
Completion of Public Buildings.
Colonel Lane, as superintendent of public
buildings and grounds, received a commu-
nication from President Monroe, dated
washington, April 4, 1877, in which the
| President said: ITO enable you the better
to execute orders heretofore given for the
| completion of the public buildings with the
| proper to communicate my. sentiments in a
more precise form as to the manner in
Wnlcn some parts of the Capitol shah be
nhlShed and of the arrangement necessary
| 10 De observed in conducting the work
Marble on the Potomac river from which
! 1t has been proposed to obtain the columns
! intended for the chamber of the House of
representatives and of the Senate is of
suifcient solidity to sustain the weight to
be placed on them. 1t will be more aivisa-
bic to construct the dome to be erected
over the House of Representatives of wood
than OF brick. but the dome of the Senate
VIII De erected of brick. You will! there
lore, hasten to obtain the columns from
that quarry and to take the necessary
measures on the estimate of the architect
lor procuring the wood required for the
construction of the first mentioned dome
and of brick for the other The wood if is
expected, will be furnished by the Depart-
ment of the Navy, the amount of the arti-
Gle TO be replaced hereafter. You must
procure and have in readiness all the ma
terial requisite for every part of the work
ample ard adequate force and manage ii
with ability and industry If the estimate
Is not incidentally furnished by the archi-
lect, you should send for the workmen to
New York and Boston You will provide
Tools lumber, nails, spikes and provision
for Mr. Leckie, who will cause sheds to be
! erected Tor the workmen for cooking and
as storehouses You must pay the work
men every week. You will refer to me
every Monday morning in concise terms
the progress of the work in every branch
OF the pubhc works With respect to the
| mouse of the President l shall observe in
TINS that the division of labor to permit
olspa,en Is equally necessary to this build
ing as 1t is to the Capitol and that Won
ousht TO be equally forward in procuring
an the materials requisite for every part
of the work. AS great exertions are indis
pehsapiy necessary to prepare this build
ing ior occupancy next faH 1t would be
particularly to be regretted if the want of
laborers or of materials should retard the
progress for a single day. The plastering
ousht 10 be commenced in both buildings
l1nmedlately. Are the laths and other ma
,erlals prepared? With respect, James
Monroe
treasury and Patent Office Buildings.
There is hiatus in the old book of let
ters from 1S17 to 1896. and in the latter
year President Jackson vas heard from
IN regard to the treasury building and
patent ONCE. In communication dated
december 6, 1886, Old Hickory wrote:
having designated William Noland as
/ m a to