The Washington times., 1902-04-19
Structure to Cost $25 ,OCO
and to Be Erected in the
White House Grounds.
PLANS SENT TO THE SENATE
Strong Opposition to Plan for a Joint
Building for the Departments of State
and Justice and Executive Offices Led
by Senator Hale.

President Roosevelt has sent to the Sem
ate plans prepared by Architect McKim.
OF the Parking Commission. for tempor-
ary building for the executive Offices to be
placed in the White House grounds. oppo-
site the south end of the State. War and
Navy building
1t will not be very large and will not be
built as a permanent structure. but will
serve all the purposes of furnishing ade-
quate official quarters until permanent
structure can be erected.
The details OF the plan have not been
completed. but Senator Hale said yester-
day to a Times reporter that in a few days
they will all be arranged. and that an
amendment will then be added to the sun
dry civil bill. providing for the cost of the
building
To Cost $4,000.
The structure is to cost $25,000
strong opposition to the Executive.
State and Justice building plan. led BY
Senator Hale. has developed in the Senate.
and it is believed that the bill providing
for the structure will be defeated, at least
for this session
The bill was framed by Senator Fair
banks. Chairman of the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, and was re-
ported favorably by the committee last
week. with strong letters of recommenda-
tion from the heads of the various de-
partments affected. 1t provides that the
offices of the President. the State Depart
ment. and the Department of Justice shall
be placed in one building. to be erected on
square 1s7. directly north of the present
State. War and Navy building.
Many Objections to Plan.
The opponents Of the plan make many
objections to it. They argue that in the
first place the Parking Commission plan to
surround Lafayette Square with de-
partment buildings is a wrong one. They
say that it would be mistake to place
even this one vast structure so close to
the White House, where the latter would
be overshadowed.
They are particularly opposed to the
placing of the President in the same
building with two Of his departments, ar
guing that such a plan would not be in
keeping with the dignity of the Presideu-
tfa1 office.
Senator Hale and others also argue that
the sentimental wish Of the owners of the
old residences on square 1s7 very well
may be respected when in their opinion
some other square would be quite as good
for the new building for the two depart
ments, il such a structure Is necessary.
Senator Hale's Views.
Regarding the plan for temporary ex-
ecutive offices and the objections to that
of the Committee on Public Buildings,
Mr.. Hale said:
81 am in favor of many features OF the
Parking Commissions general plan be-
.ieve the great driveway should be built
and that the Mall should be beautifed.
But the vast scheme in its entirety is out
Of the question. It calls for the expendi-
lure of 5000. 900. 900. far too large a sum.
n my opinion. to be considered.
THE plan to surround Lafayette Square
With public buildings that viii entirely
iwarf the White House is absurd and
nartistic. in my opinion. 1t would turn
nto a business section the square which
plan to be q delightful. restfui park, in
sense a portion Of the grounds OF the
White House.
Now in Harmony With White House.
''The park as 1t is now, surrounded by
pleasant old residences not too large
,r imposing. is in perfect harmony with
he White House. II public buildings sur
rounded 1t there would be the continual
,iatter of mail and delivery wagons and
he hustle of business on all sides. Then
t would be entirely out of harmony.
But the plan for the Executive. State.
md Justice Building is particularly ab-
,urd. 1 have examined it carefully. 1t is
simply an architects plan. The architects
believe that the President and his Cabi-
let and everyone else must conform to
heir IDEAS
President In an Attic.
why should the President of the Unit
ID States be given the third story of
with two departments occupy
ng the two lower floors?
The people will not want anything OF
hat kind.
such an arrangement would bring the
departments entirely too close to the
President. 1t would make his grind of
work even harder than it is now People
sho had business with the departments
yould all consider 1t necessary TO their
,eace Of mind that they see the Presi-
lent.
And, moreover, II is not in accord with
he dignity of the Office that the head of
he nation should have the third story
If any building.
The IDEAL place for an executive build
ng is the ground now occupied by the
Government where the Department of Jus
ice formerly stood. The lot Is vacant
md idle because it is considered too small
or the new Department of Justice. 1t
would be amply large for the executive
,fiices and handsome though not vast
structure will some day be erected there
or the purpose undoubtedly.
Meanwhile the temporary building in
he White House grounds will be built
The President will have the
White House entirely for residence in
'ide of six months. or before the end Of
he year certainly"