Evening star., 1901-02-07
THE BILL
Representatives Speak Of the Munich
pal Building.
TEE CLAUSE As TO ARCHITECTS
General Sentiment for a Liberal
Appropriation and Fine Building.
A VEN UE IMPROV EN- T

| 1t is probable that the bill carrying the
| appropriation for the new municipal build
| ing for this city will come up in the House
| next Monday, and its friends are conf
| IDENTIFY hoping that it will pass.
| In discussing the measure this morning
| with Star reporter, Representative Wes-
ley ]. Jones of Washington said that he
| was in favor of the bill reported by
| Chairman Mercer. and that he believed
| there was "a sentiment in the House that
| Washington should have fine municipal
building
FaVOrs Avenue Site.
whenever I ride down Pennsylvania
| avenue" he said, Il can but note the
| marked improvements which have been
made on that wide and splendid thorough
| fare, and l am perforce also compelled to
note the room for further improvement.
| should like to see the small, unsighty
buildings on the south side, which are like
| blots on a white page, wiped off the street.
There are number OF these old buildings,
and if the House accepts the report of the
| committee at least one more block of un-
even, old and altogether unworthy build
ings will be raZed, and in its stead will
rise building to which all Washington
ianS will justly point with pride
THE way to improve thoroughfare,
section or city is to get at it. This bill
Washington. 1t carries with it a provision
which will strongly commend it when it
comes up for 4 vote, and that is that archi-
tects. without limitation as to number, will
be permitted to compete for the choice of
designs. l consider this strong feature of
| the bill, and it opens up an avenue of archi-
tectural education and advancement which
is highly commendabie and to be cncour-
aged The public buildings in Washington
should be the finest in the country, and l
stand with those who do not believe in TAX
ing the architectural ideas of one or two
| men, Let US have some new ideas.
Il consider the avenue site an excellent
one. l believe in the concentration of the
public buildings. If a representative has
business at the coast and geodetic survey
building on Capitol HILL and at the weather
bureau on the same day, he spends the
best part of the morning riding from point
to point.
THE possibilities Of improving Pennsyl-
vania avenue are practically without limit
and favor it. The municipal building
thereon will be conveniently located, and as
| 1t is to cost s25oO,0O0, it will add another
attractive feature to what should be the
finest avenue in the United States.
Views of Other representatives.
II have great faith in Chairman MERGERS
committee" said Representative Mondell
! of Wyoming, land 1 usually vote to support
! its recommendations. I have not, however,
had full opportunity to carefully examine
the bill, but l will say that / favor a good
appropriation for a fine municipal building
here, and that l also favor the idea of
concentrating public buildings. The site
recommended in the report would be a CON
| venient one. and another large building
would greatly improve the thoroughfare
upon which the report recommends it shall
be situated Since the post office and other
large buildings secured good foundations
an objection formerly urged must have
been overcome. 1 agree in the general SEN
t,ment that the public buildings in WASH
lfgton should be the best of their class,
ana consider that the provision that the
design be left open for competition will
greatly strengthen the bill. and that it is a
feature to be fostered in future legislation
of like character"
Representative Gibson of Tennessee said
that he had read the report of the COM
mttee, and that he would vote in favor of
the appropriation the bill provides
Let the city have fine municipal hall"
said Judge Gibson. Il feel assured that the
general sentiment in the House is favor
able to adequate appropriations for all
buildings which, in its Judgment 1t shall
decide the nations capital shall have. The
proposed city hall is much needed and l
shall vote for the appropriation"
The Avenues Ultimate Improvement.
Il think" said Representative Esch OF
Wisconsin. that the ultimate improvement
of Pennsylvania avenue should be taken
into consideration in this matter The pro-
ject of improving the triangle south of that
avenue and north of the mall cannot be
carried out in a day. but we should look
forward to 1t. For instance, if the mu-
nicipal building be erected upon the site as
proposed in the report Of the committee,
the rear of the building should receive at
tention at the architects hands for the rea-
son that If the triangle in ultimately clear
ed of buildings all public structures facing
upon the south side Of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. would then face the mall. Public build
ings thus placed should have no rear The
architecture should be uniform all around
Il favor the project and will vote to sus-
tain the report of the committee. In fact, l
voted for the amendment to the PennsyI-
vaania railroad bill. which would bring the
north facade of the station to the south side
OF pennsylvania avenue. l stand with those
who desire to see Pennsylvania avenue i'm
proved to rival the great thoroughfares OF
the capitals of other nations.
Il like the idea of open competition from
architects. 1t will give all a chance, and
1t IS a case not unlike that of the Young
and unknown lawyer who wins a reputation
by his ability and eloquence with his first
case. 1t will give architects of ability with
out reputation an equal chance with archi-
tects with both reputation and ability
Representative E. D. Crumpacker of In
diana said that usually he would vote to
sustain the report Of the committee upon a
measure reported favorably by it. He IA
vored the appropriation of a sum for mu-
n1clpal building which would be a credit to
the capital. He believed that 1t should be
SO situated as to offer the greatest conven-
bill passed, the architecture and construc-
tion Of the proposed building would be an
Improvement upon the post Office building,
and that the faults in that building would
not be repeated in the new. The building
he thought, should be commodious and or
nate and in keeping with the best class OF
public buildings Of modern construction.
Would Move Agricultural Department
Representative V. H. Metcalf, of Califor-
MIA said that he would recommend the
removal of the Agricultural Department to
Pennsylvania avenue.
ut is too remotely situated" said, land
l would advocate a proposition to acquire
a suitable location on Pennsylvania avenue
for this department. 1 am glad to see that
it is proposed to locate the municipal build
ing on that avenue 1 favor the bill. The
War Department alone could utilize the
best portion of the building it occupies. The
matter of expense might at first seem large |
but it would be paying proposition in
the end The department buildings are now
overcrowded, and new buildings will shortly
become imperative When action is taken,
by all means let the next department build
ing follow the proposed municipal building,
and be located on the south side Of Penn
sylVania avenue.
ti,,,o L1-