Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-09
THE new WAR COLLEGE
Il T
4 A.
Improvements at w ashington
Barracks.
81 g
THE ARCHITECTS PLANS
LOCATION PROVIDED FOR A VAST
ESTABLISHMENT.
Expenditure of Over a Million Dollars
Authorized by Congress-outline
of Great Project.

Final arrangements between Secretary
Root and Mr.. Mckin, the architect, in re-
lation to the building of the war college
and the engineers school in this city have
not yet been completed, but 1t is expected
within few days that Mr.. McKim and the
Secretary will reach an agreement under
which the architect will proceed to prepare
complete plans for this work. MIR. Mckim
Will undertake the work and will receive a
commission for his services of 31a per cent
on the cost of the architectural features of
the buildings. Such work as steam heating,
ETC., which would naturally be planned by
the engineers, will not be included in the
expenditures on which the architects fig
ures are to be based. The exact details
that will be decided upon have not yet been
determined, but there is no doubt that an
arrangement will be reached satisfactory to
both the War Department and Mr.. McKim.
so that within a very short time the work
may be prosecuted vigorously. While the
archltect Will retain supervision over his
work, yet the government will see to the
construction of the buildings.
Captain Sewells Duties.
Captain John S. Sewell of the corps of en-
glneers who is just completing the govern
ment printing office building, will have
charge of the construction work on the
war college and engineer school under a
plan somewhat different from that under
which he built the printing office. In that
work the architects plan was accepted by
the government, after which the architect
was subject to be called on to explain his
plans or to advise concerning details but
mad no power to control the work. Under
the system to be followed in the building
active supervision until the work has been
completed. 1t will be his duty to see that
the plans are carried out as designed by
him.
The work of construction will be under
the control of Captain Sewell, as will be
| the disbursement of all money.
Location of the Buildings.
Nothing has yet been determined con-
corning this improvement, except so far as
the location of buildings is concerned The
war college and engineers school will be
built on the land now occupied by the
Washington barracks, and the entire estab-
lishment will consist Of about ffty-five
buildings. Mr.. McKim has already made a
plan of these grounds. The southern point
of the grounds will be extended somewhat
to the south by the work of bridging the
Anacostia river The buildings now at the
Washington barracks, will all be removed.
and the entire construction will be planned
81 mat C'oi lIliuS WILL IldT Iu0nlZe. IN the
southern portion of the grounds will be the
war college with quarters on each side Of
1t for the commandment and other officers.
North of this building will be an immense
parade ground. On each side of the north
ern half Of this parade ground will be
groups of buildings, the most imposing of
which will be the engineers school, mu-
scum and library. There will be officers
quarters and clubhouse. Nearer the en-
trance to the grounds the north will be
barracks for the companies of soldiers to
be stationed there and various necessary
buildings. The groups of buildings will
make imposing sight from the river
The questions to the style of architecture
and the building material to be used in the
construction of these buildings are yet to
be determined. 1t is believed that Mr.. Nc
Kim will probably recommend the use Of
the classic style of architecture to be ex-
ecuted in white marble, if he were unham-
pered by any restriction of appropriation.
But the cost of the entire improvement has
| been limited to 100000, of which sum
100000 is available. This money would go
much longer way if the colonial style and
inent features of the construction What
ever may be the ultimate decision in the
case Mr.. McKim will be left free to sug-
gest a plan for the construction according
to his own taste.
A Significant Precedent
The arrangement that will be made by
the government and Its architect in this
case is regarded by many as especially sig
nificant. as tending to establish precedent
by which the government buildings of this
city are to be erected in the future. The
American Institute of Architects sanctions
various ways by which its members may
dispose Of plans they originate. They may
| sell these plans outright and give up all
claim in relation to the way they are car
ried OUT they may agree to carry them out
than giving direct
| to the work or they may merely see that
! they are properly executed by giving the
work their occasional and general super
| vision.
Many architects insist that they shall be
| allowed to at least supervise the work: and
| this is the point that Mr.. McKim has made
| Concerning his connection with the war COL
| lege. On the other hand the Engineer
Corps of the army has maintained that it
| has corps Of experienced and capable en-
| gineers fully competent to conduct works
OF this character. These officers are avail
| able for detail to such duties and it is
claimed their pride of their standing in the
| Corps of Engineers and their training COM
bine to make them jealousy careful con-
| corning the interests of the government
| The corps has consequently sought to have
| any architects plans 1t may be called upon
| to use turned over to it's officer. who may
call the architect in for consulta ton at his
pleasure but who is in entire control Of the
! work. That was the plan under which the
| new government printing Office was built
In view of the many public buildings that
| will probably be erected in this city in the
| near future the arrangement for the con-
struction Of the war college and the en-
| gineers school Is regarded of special in
terest both by architects and by officers Of
| the Corps Of Engineers Of the army.
To Prepare the Site.
! Just as soon as arrangements concerning
these matters have been finally completed
| Capt. Sewell will begin to prepare the
grounds of the Washington barracks for
the new buildings. Mr.. McKim will push
work on the plans SO that the work of con-
| struction may be begun at early day
| as possible. Il
About 100000 will be- spent upon the
| building for the war college In addition
| to the college q large building is to be
erected for the engineer school o OF applica-
| ton An appropriation of $500 600 is avail
| able for that building and the general i'm
| provement Of the reservation.
ROW AMONG THE TURNER'S.
| Reds and Conservatives EXCHANGE