The evening times., 1902-07-24
IMPORTANT DECISION is REACHED
Structure Not to Be ExtenS
ed Out Over E Street
A UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT
Park Commission Objected to Closing of
Street, But Congress Believed Size of
Building Night Require it-Much
Data Already Prepared

The commission named under the act
Of Congress Atake charge Of the con-
struction OF ae proposed municipal
building held its first meeting today IN
the Office OF the Secretary OF the Treas
ury This commission is composed Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury and the
Commissioners Of the District. They
were together for about two hours and
went over together the more important
questions involved in the preparation Of
plans for the building.
Mr. James Il Taylor Supervising AZ
chitect Of the Treasury. who will be the
professional adviser Of the commission,
was present and took part in the dis
cussion. giving the benefit OF his pro-
fessional views Ead experience
Commissioners Macfariand and the act
ing Engineer Commissioner, Capt. H C.
Newcomer, represented the District
Board Mr. Macfarland laid before the
commission the estimates OF floor space
required by the different departments
and boards Of the municipal government,
amounting in the aggregate to 100. 600
square feet.
Park Commission Views.
He also gave a resume Of the views
concerning the building which he had
obtained from Mr.. Charles 2. McKim. of
the Senate Park Commission. and those
of Mr.. Elliott Woods. Architect OF the
Capitol. and Mr. Bernard Green, Arehi-
tect OF the Library OF Congress.
The ideas OF these architects coin
eide with those OF Mr.. Taylor shsf & IS
neither necessary nor desirable for the
commission to exercise It's authority
under the act OF Congress for closing E
Street and constructing the building
over that thoToughfare- II was their
unanimous opinion that the powerhouse
square, bounded by D. z, Thirteen and
shalt and Fourteenth Streets north
vest, affords sufficient space for the
building, and that by conhning the
no Interference with or departure from
the general plan OF the city
The expert advice. indeed, was very
strongly against the occupation OF z
Street. In view OF the data before them
and the views sf the architects, the
commission determined TO confne the
building to the square described.
Architects to Compete
The commission also decided that the
architect Of the building should be Sc
Ieeted By limited competition of gen
eral plans. as in the case OF the Depart
Municipal Hospital Building. Mr. Tay-
loT viii draw up the program OF compe-
tItion. for the approval OF the commits
sion. In passing upon the plans sub
uitted in the competition, Ar. Taylor, as
il the case OF the Department Of Agri-
culture Building, will probably have the
assistance Of other experts as judges.
The style OF building 20 be erected.
and the material TO be used IN its con
struetIon we're reserved for discussion
st a meeting OF the commission TO be
held next Tuesday. after the return Of
Secretary Shaw from his visit 70 the
President at Oyster Bay
A Fine Building Promised.
Commissioner MacfarIand stated after
his return TO the District Building from
Iae meeLlnB7 thai every eEoTt would be
made 10 expedite the preparation Of
the plans Of the building. and II was
his aelief that g commodious. adequate.
and. architecturally beautiful structure
woJsd be provided for in the plans TO
be worked out.
Though the preliminary meeting Of the
commission has been delayed By the
serious iIlness Of Commissioner John ".
Ross. stii. matters pertaining to the
work OF getting up the plans, has prog
Fessed rapidly Through the energy Of
Commissioner Macfarland q great deal
OF data has teen prepared, and the
advisory architect Will have in hand
By next week all the information nee
essary for the immediate preparation Of
the preliminary plans. and the drafting
OF the program Of competition 10 obtain
sl architect for the building