Evening star., 1902-03-10
FOR THE SUPREME COURT.
Senator McMillan's Bill Providing TO,
the Erection of a Building.

Senator Mcmillan today introduced a bin
providing for the purchase of site and the
erection Of building for the use of the
Supreme Court of the United States. This
bill authorizes and directs the Secretary
OF the Treasury to acquire by purchase or
condemnation the site facing the Capitol
grounds east Of the Senate wing of the
Capitol and north of the Congressional
Library building, and cause to be erected
thereon a suitable building for the accom-
modation of the United States Supreme
Court. The bill limits the cost of this
building to S3 900 600 and provides for pur
chase of the ground by asking proposals
for such sales. 1t provides that plans for
the building shall be prepared under the di-
rection of the chief justice of the United
States and the Secretary of the Treasury,
and shall be approved by the President of
the United States. This latter provision
IS In conformity with suggestion made
by the park commission in effect that pub
lie buildings to be erected in the District of
Columbia in the future should have the ap-
proval of the President. Many years ago,
and for a long time, Presidents of the
United States were directly responsible for
any changes that We're made In the Capltol
building, and that building was regarded
as under their direct supervision. 1t is be-
Heved that the greatest uniformity and the
very best results will be had by apply
ing this principle to all public buildings.
The proposed building of the United
States Supreme Court will be Of style of
architecture that will harmonize with the
building occupied by the Library of Con-
gress, and will occupy the land north or
East Capitol street in the same relation to
the Capitol as does the Library building.
south of East Capitol street. The proposed
building for the Supreme Court Is In ac-
cordance with general plan that has been
advocated for very many years. and which
from time to time has been pressed upon
the attention Of Congress. The idea that
once prevailed for providing the Depart
ment of Justice and the Supreme Court
quarters in the same building is no longer
entertained. A bill has already been intro
duced in the Senate providing for the De-
partment Of Justice, Department OF State
and offices for the President of the United
States in building to be located directly
north of the State, War and Navy Depart
ment building. facing Pennsylvania ave
nue. on the south, Lafayette Square on the
east 18th street on the west and II street
on the north. The plan proposed for a Su-
preme Court building contemplates build
ing to be occupied by that court alone. 1t
will not only contain an adequate court
room, where a limited number OF visitors
can be accommodated during sessions of
the court, but will provide for library for
the court and Office rooms for each of the
justices. The members of the court at the
present time have no offices at the Capitol
accommoda tions are entirely inadequate to
their needs. This building will be model
Of fine architecture and there Is no inten-
tfon on the part OF any one in Congress to
have 1t less imposing than is the Library
OF Congress building.