Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-06
Plans and Specifications for Municipal
Structures.
PROJECTED WORKHOUSE FOR MALES
Objections of Board of Trade to
the Present Site.
REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEE

The inspector of buildings, Mr.. John B.
Brady, and his office force are busily en-
gagged in preparing the plans and specifica-
tons Of a number of municipal buildings.
One of the most important of these pro-
posed structures is a workhouSe for males.
For the construction of this prison Con-
81 ess has appropriated 100000 the sum of
$4,000 having been provided by the District
appropriation act approved March 3, 1899,
while that approved the 9th of last month
appropriated like amount. This new pris-
on the Commissioners propose erecting
upon the gro Inds on which the existing
workhouse stands, on the banks of the
Eastern branch, in the extreme eastern
section Of the city.
The plans for the prison have been pre-
pared by Mr.. c. A. Didden, and call for
fire-proof structure with central admin
istration building. four stories and base
ment, u feet by Y feet. There will be lat
eral wings and rear extension, one clear
story thirty-five feet in height the wings
to be 81 by 130 feet. and connected with the
main edifice by one-story corridors. The
exterior walls will be constructed of either
brown or red sandstone. while the roofs
Will be steel truss affairs covered with
slate.
1t is intended that each wing shall con-
tain Ia steel cage cells, with slate slab
floors, and each furnished with washstand
and closet. In the administration building
will be contained in the basement the
steam heating plant and fan yertilating
mechanism, the officers kitchen, bundle
room, disnfecting plant, prisoners waiting
rooms shower baths, store rooms and coal
bunkers. There will be a hall on the first
floor of this building 80 by 50 feet. also the
prison office, rooms for the guards, wait
ing room, burglar-proof vault. dining ROOM
pantry, baths, store rooms and lavatories.
The upper floors of the administration
building will be divided into sleeping cham
bers, baths, lavatories, etc.
The Matter of Location.
In deciding to erect this prison on the
grounds of the workhouse the Commission
ers held that they are not authorized to
erect it elsewhere. and they point to the
proceedings of the appropriations commit
tees of both houses of Congress in support
of their contention that no other site for
it was ever in the minds purpose of the
members of these committees or of Con-
gress. In fact, 1t Is said to be the opinion
of the Commissioners that the site select
ell by them is the best which, under all
circumstances, can be found unless the
prison should be erected outside the city
limits as is the case with the boys and
girls reform schools, respectively. But, IN
| the absence of legislative authority to erect
the prison elsewhere, and in the absence
of funds with which to purchase site else
where the Commissioners are of the opln-
ion that Congress. by implication. at least
has instructed them to place 1t on the
workhouSe grounds.
| The Commissioners are aware that there
| is opposition to the construction OF an
| other prison in the locality selected ana II
has been suggested to them, IN view OF ,nls
| opposition, they could with all propriety
DELAY the construction of the building until
after Congress shall have had an opportu-
| nifty to designate it's site In express terms
| Rut the Commissioners, it is understood,
| see no good reason why they should delay
| the construction of the building, and Cap
| tain Beach, the Engineer Commissioner,
! Who has Immediate supervision Of the cree
| ton of municipal buildings, stated to re-
porter of The Star today that just as soon
as the building inspector finishes the specl.
| fications. proposals for the construction of
| the new prison will be invited. This, Cap
| tain Beach believes will be in about two
or three weeks time, perhaps a little
earlier