Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07
FORMALLY PRESENTED
Plans and Specifications for
New Union Station
AT DISTRICT BUILDING
WORK TO BE BEGUN UPON IssU-
ANCE OF PERMIT.
n s.-@
-~-.--'
Mr.. Pierce Anderson to Have Active
Supervision-No Discussion
of Program Today.
AT DISTRICT BUILDING

The plans and specifications for the new
| union railroad station in Washington were
formally submitted to the District Commits
sioners for their approval by the repre-
sentatives of the railroad companies and
the architects of the project shortly after
o'clock this afternoon. There was no
elaborate discussion of the plans. and the
whole transaction occupied but few mo-
merts.
Among those present at the conference
with the Commissioners were D. H. Burn
ham, of the firm of d. II. Burnham & Co.
of Chicago. which has charge Of the con-
strucdon work: Pierce Anderson, an archi-
tect, and Edward Wilnan, constructing en-
| glneer, associated with the firm of Chicago
architects: James NJ. Graham. chief engi-
neer or the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
and w. h. Straus assistant to Mr.. Graham:
| and w: Fl. Brown chief engineer of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
1t was stated that work on the terminal
station Will be commenced just as soon as
the building inspector issues the permit for
the work Mr.. Anderson will have active
supervision of the entire construction work.
Magnitude of the Work.
The plans and specifications for the new
union station which were submitted to the
Commissioners this afternoon comprise 135
large drawings. AS may be readily in
ferred, it will be no easy task to inspect the
drawings IN thorough manner and give
them proper consideration. 1t is estmat-
ed that the District authorities cannot COM
plete their inspection of the plans before
two weeks at the earliest Their decision
IN the matter therefore, will N all proba-
bfity not be made before that time All
the details of the proposed construction
VIII have to be gone over by the Commits
sioners. and many minor questions will
arise for careful consideration.
In connection with the construction of the
new terminal building probably the most
interesting question to the citizens of Wash
lngton, which the Commissioners will be
called upon to- decide, will be whether
Bethel white granite white marble is to
be used in the new structure. This subject
has been discussed quite generally by resi-
dents of the city. and the decision of the
District authorities n the matter is await
ed with considerable interest The principal
objection VIII c4f has been raised as to the
use of granite seeRs to be regarding the
color of the stone. However, it is claimed
for the Bethel granite. which the railroad
companies have proposed to use, that with
the exceptions of a, gray fleck the material
specified in the. ms is pure white. and
that when the building is erected out of
this stone it will present "a dazzling white
appearance r-.-
Comparatively New Material.
AS was stated III The Star several days
ago. the Bethel granite is a comparatively
new building stone, since only within the
last two or three years has any of the ma
terial been used in the construction of
large buildings, and that there are only a
few Office structures in the country built
out of this particular stone 1t is stated
that In Philadelphia there is an office build
ing constructed Of Bethel granite and 1t is
stated that the District Commissioners will
pIobaply go to philadelphia and inspect
this building in connection with their con-
sideration as to. the kind of material to be
used. r-- ~;
The architects and the railroad officials
seem highly enthusiastic over the new
granite, and feel confident that after due
| consideration the District authorities will
approve the kind of material specified in
the plans
proposed new terminal building may be OBJ
tanned by comparison it Is stated that the
union station will be about six feet longer
than the Capitol. The terminal will also
be larger than the great railroad station in
Frankfort, Germany, which heretofore has
been regarded as the largest terminal sta
ton in the world.
Views of an Architect.
One of the architects of the station in
speaking of the attitude of the railway
officials toward the proposed new structure,
said today:
Il think that when individuals or the
| heads of great CORPORATIONS give evidence
of great public spirit they should be given
proper credit and right motives should be
assigned to their actions. In this connec-
ton President Cassatt of the Pennsylvania
and President Loree of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad are deserving of commenda-
tion In their attitude toward the construc-
ton of the new terminal station In Wash
fngton. Both these officials have exhibited
true public spirit in regard to this project
They have not acted in accordance with
the principles of close economy in the mat
ter and have by no means been penuriOus
They have desired the union station at
Washington to be monumental structure
In keeping with the other great public
buildings of the capital of the country
and they have made the construction of
the station an exceptional case from the
beginning of the project. They have taken
pride In their efforts to give to Washington
a railroad station in keeping with the i'm
portance and significance of the city.
Exhibition of Public Spirit.
while they have not foolishIy thrown
away money in accomplishing the project,
they have not confined themselves to mere
ly necessary features in the planning of
the union station. This public spirit was
shown by the officials when the architects
suggested the use in the terminal building
of the best granite to be found, and it has
been evidenced in many other ways"
The description of the new railroad build
ing, which was published In yesterdays
Star is convincing of its monumental char
acter 1t is proposed to place around the
immense plaza of the station two rows of
trees which will be trimmed to the height
of about eight, fleets. In such a manner as
to form q hedge about the semi-circIe The
illustration in another part of today's Star
will afford an idea Hof the appearance of
the new terminal project for Washington