Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-10
A Grand Group,

such a group of buildings as that would
surpass anything of the kind in the world"
was the enthusiastic remark of Col. Hep
burn, one of the commissioners, in COM
menting on the selection this morning. ''Of
course" he continued, this is all in the
future, but it will undoubtedly be one of the
developments of the future"
Aside from this consideration, the seec-
tfon made yesterday was based on many
other considerations. The foundation of a
building of the size contemplated required
consideration. The ground In the square
| selected-690-is all natural land; that is,
none of it is made land. On the squares
to the west, to which the choice was lin
tied, there has been considerable filling
done. The foot of the bi1 was the old bed
of Tiber creek, with a quicksand formation.
Reasons for the Selection.
The squares imme diately west Of the one
selected would have had to be combined to
be large enough for a building of adequate
size. This would have necessitated closing
South Capitol street. Then, too, the ques-
ton of convenience of transportation be-
tween the Capitol and the new buildings
was considered. The site selected is the
nearest, is on a level with the Capitol, and
the plan of a tunnel between the two build
ings seemed more feasible.
On consulting the railway officials IL was
found also that IL the square chosen was
selected 1t would be quite feasible to have
switch from the new line of track which
is to enter the tunnel under the Capitol
grounds just south of the square selected.
This will facilitate the handling of freight.
coal, etc, and will be quite a convenience.
since it is proposed to establish the heating
plant Of the Capitol In the new building.
When all Of these things were taken into
consideration there seemed really no choice
in the matter. However. the commission
considered advfsedly each one of the
squares to which 1t was limited by the act.
Immediate Proceedings.
The commission was allowed thirty days
in which to make the selection. But five
Of this thirty days were required. Sec
retary Hitchcock, who is required to ac-
quire the site by condemnation proceedings.
is required to begin the proceedings within
thirty days. The Secretary, however, noti-
fled the commission yesterday that he
should begin his proceedings today, and
this will expedite matters nearly two
months over the time estimated by Mr..
Cannon in the House, when he said that the
site could undoubtedly be acquired inside
of five or six months. Fifty-five days OF
this time have been saved by the prompt
action OF the commission and the Secretary
The next step in the procedure of the
commission is the selection Of plans for the
new building. Tentative plans have been
prepared, but this matter will not be taken
up for action by the commission until Mr..
Cannon returns from his trip to the West
Indies with Secretary Moody. 1t is under
stood that Colonel Hepburn and Mr. Rich
ardson will confer informally ON the SUBJ
ject in the meantime.
No Time to Be Wasted.
While there Is no desire to unduly hasten
the construction of the building, It is
known to be the desire of the commission
that no time shall be wasted in the mat
ter. With this in view it Is likely that
the site can be cleared Of the buildings
now on It and the foundation for the new
building put in place before next winter.
These foundations can then be allowed to
lie through the winter and be ready for
the construction Of the building in the
spring following.
The exterior design Of the building Is to
be In keeping with the architecture of the
Capitol, simple, but imposing. The build
ing will undoubtedly be three stories in
height above the ground, with a basement
and subbasement. 1t will be set back
from the building line 15 or 80 feet, which
will take away any crowded appearance
and throw the building in appearance into
the Capitol grounds.
Although the appropriation for the site
was made at s750.OO0. careful estimates OF
the value OF the property in the square do
not bring the total much over half a mill
lion dollars.