The Washington times., 1901-10-22


tions in the succeeding edition.
Il therefore concur In the recommended
ton of the Inspector of Buildings that the
exception asked for be not granted
Some weeks ago the East Washington
Citizens Association submitted to the
Commissioners statement giving several
reasons why the new workhouse for males
should not be erected on the grounds of
the Washington Asylum. They requested
that the matter be laid before the Attor-
Eey for the District for an opinion upon
the several questions stated
Captain Beach, the Engineer Commits
sioner, yesterday sent to his associates
for their approval the following reply to
the communication of the association:
The Commissioners direct me to ac-
knowledge the reeeIpt of your letter of
September y, presenting objections to the
location of the new workhouse on the
Cove rnment reservation adjoining the An
acostia River, and suggesting that the
Commissioners are violating the law pro-
viding for the erection of said workhouse
in that the plans show a more expensive
building than can be erected within the
limits of the sl50,00O named in the act of
Congress.
In reply to the first point, am direct
cd to state that the Commissioners con
slider that they have no alternative but
to proceed with the work They are
aware that effort has been made TO pre-.
vent the location of the building on the
site IN question, but ii is also well known
that Congress, after il heard the argu-
ments against this location, decided that
the building should be constructed there,
and made appropriation accordingly.
In reply to the second point. ! am d.
rected To state that the woTi1house for
males VIII be erected for the sum of si50,-
UOU, and Il contract has already been en-
tered into for the work The plans pre-
pared by the architect show main build
ing. complete in itself. with three wing
in addition thereto, any one of which can
be economically ADDED TO the main build
ing should future CXigcncies d, mund it,
and il may be that this feature Of the
pans has misled you iEtU thinking that
the Commissioners are undertaking the
el ection of a larger building than they
have funds II their disposal to complete.
In this connection, the Commissioners
dlrect me to state for your information
that. in having plans prepared for tn,
public buildings, they now endeavor to Sc
cure plans that will readily admit OF ex-
tension or enlargement, if found neCeS-
sary. Thus, plans for the four-roorn
school buildings now being erected are
so drawn as to readily admit of extension
to eight-room buildings, and the eight
room buildings TO enlargement to twelve
room buildings. The plans for the work
house were prepared on the same princi-
pie; principle that would seem TO be in
accord with proper foresight
with reference to your request that the
question OF the expenditure Of the appro-
rriation be referred to the Attorney and
the Treasury Department. ] am directed
to state that the matter comes entirely
within the purview of the Treasury De
partment. and an opinion from the At
torney could not affect it one way or an
other. The Treasury officials nave al
ready passed accounts as far as they have
been presented"
The letter is signed by the Secretary of
the Board.