The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-16
WILL BE COMPETITION
IN THE SELECTION OF DESIGN FOR
NEW FEDERAL BUILDING.
Not All the Buildings i'm Square SO to
Be Torn Down at Once
Facts of Interest.

The Journals Washington correspond
ent, in a dispatch received last night said
that Representative Overstreet had a two
hours conference yesterday with Secretary
Gage. Assistant Secretary Taylor and
Supervising Architect Taylor, of the Treas
ury Department concerning the Indianap-
oils public building.
Having settled officially upon Square So
as the site of the structure the treasury
officials are only waiting to be officially
informed by the Department of Justice
that the government has acquired a clear
title TO the ground. The money for the
purchase of the site is in the treasury.
What is now needed. 1t is said, is for
United States District Attorney wishard
to inform the Department of Justice at
Washington that the condemnation pro-
ceedings are concluded and title can be
secured by the governments paying the
money into court. The attorney general
will notify the secretary of the treasury
and the money will be transferred by him
to the court. The property owners who
are satisfied with the awards made for
their holdings will receive their purchase
money Immediately and give deeds to the
property.
WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
Those who have appealed TO the courts
for a revision of the condemnation verdict
in their cases and persist in the appeal
will have to wait for their money until
after the courts have decided their cases,
but the governments title to the site will
be clear and unobstructed and the treasury
proceed with its plans. something it
could not do until the title is officially pro-
nounced clear.
The next step will be to prepare the basic
plans for the building and submit the prep
aration of the design TO competition, for
ii was finally decided yesterday to take
this course with this important building.
Twelve eminent architects will be invited
TO compete. and the result will undoubt-
edly be fine design. 1t will require about
a month after the treasury is officially
notified that the title is clear before the
basic plans and other requirements can
architects Will have four months from the
time the matter Is submitted to them in
which to prepare and submit their designs
TO the treasury. This will postpone the
adoption of the design until some time in
next November, or possibly a little later.
1t is not the intention of the treasury
officials to take down all the buildings now
on Square SO. One on Ohio street and prob
ably the two churches will be allowed 10
remain during the period of erecting the
new structure. which will be situated in
the middle of the square. They will be
rented until torn down. thus bringing some
small revenue to the government. This is
the method usually followed during the
erection of public buildings where there
Is anything to rent
FIRST BUILDING TO GO.
The building on New York street will
be taken down Immediately after the gov
eminent is sure of its title. Representa-
tive Overstreet has taken a deep interest
In this building. and one of his reasons fol-
remaining in Washington after Congress
adjourned was to get the matter straight
ened out so that the succeeding steps
could be taken without undue delay. He
is much gratifed at having succeeded. He
will go over to Philadelphia not later than
Monday and remain until after the nominal
tons have been made, and then return tC
Washington and thence come home, Mrs
Overstreet accompanying him. He will en-
deavor 10 have the limit of cost OF the
building increased at the session Of Con.
| eress next winter, in which he will be
| Joined by the senators and the rest OF the
| delegations: but there will be no delay or
| this account II the limit is raised the
money will be utilized, but IL not the build
| ing will be completed for the sum already
fixed