The Washington times., 1902-04-13
JOINT DEPARTMENT
BUILDING ADVOCATED
Continued from Second Pagc.)

full consideration of the bill and the re-
quirements of the public service will show
conclusiyely that the building contem-
plated is necessary, and, when the ofiicial
estimate Of the cost is compared with the
cost of other public buildings 1t will be
found to be the most reasonable way Of
providing for the needs Of the public busi
ness.
The bill repeals an act approved March
3. 1899, for the erection Of a building for
the Department Of Justice. and returns
to the Treasury 81, ,000, 900 appropriated for
that purpose.
THE Supervising Architect of the Treas
ury estimates that the building proposed
by the bill will cost, exclusive OF site,
from s., ,00O. 900 to IS. 000. 900. The commit
tee ventures no opinion as to the cost OF
the site. The assessed value Of the prop
erty required, in block 167, as shown by
the public records for the purposes Of
taxation. is 1852. .S51.
"At hearing before your committee
the Supervising Architect estimated that
the building and site together would prob
ably cost not to exceed $1,000. 900.
The recommendations of Colonel Bing-
ham are quoted in this report as empha-
sizing the necessity Of making some pro-
vision for relieving the pressure for ad-
ditional space at the White House. That
officer has pointed out the Inconvenience
and embarrassment that has attended or
ficial receptions and other functions OF
the President because Of the-lack OF
room These inconyenienceS have been
observed by members Of Congress-. ana
have been a subject of frequent comment
in the public press.
The committee. nfter carefully consid-
ering this matter. has concluded that TINS
diffcuity could be obviatsd largely by re-
moving the force of executive clerks to
another building near BY. and permitting
the Presiden, to use the space now occu-
pied by them for domestic purposes. In
the arrangement Of the proposed Execu-
tive, State, and Justice Building. the plan
ia to provide space and accommodations
to enable the President to transact ohciai
business In the new building. which will
be easy Of access from the White House.
THE committee regards IL as entirely
proper and advisable that ample provi-
sion should be made In the new building
to enable the President to accommodate
the public at cflciai receptions and other
functions which would overtax the ca
pacity of. the White House"
State Department N:;ds.
The report then refers to n letter ac-
companying the report as an appendix
from the Hon. David J. Hill. Assistant
Secretary CT State. pointing out the ne
cessity of Immediately providing addi-
tionaI space for that department.
He says:
"The general Offices OF the Secretary Of
State and his assistants have long been
felt to be entirely inadequate for the pur-
pose for which they are intended. At
present the Secretary Of State occupies
an ofice to which there is no anteroom.
and in connection with which there Is no
provision for his private secretary or for
private conferences. AS a consequence Of |
this deficiency OF accommodations it Is
impossible to carry on private or conf
Dental conversations with Senators, Rep
resentatives or other officers of the Gov
errment without the danger Of constant |
interruption The only provision for
those who await an interview is the COM
NOR corridor. where the awaiting visitor, I
whether lady or gentleman, must stand |
il iIA p,blic view. surrounded by the !
ueEsc clEers and others moving through /
Of hs building"
The report continues:
Up 30 the present time the State De- /
rag uent ) been able to conduct its I
business he present quarters without /
renting outside space, but valuable rec J
ords and files are crowded out into the .
corridors. and within a few weeks the .
Secretary of State found ii impossible to /
accept a deposit OF valuable records be- +
cause there was no safe place in the De- /
partment not occupied in which they .
could be stored.
This is only one instance of the en-