The Washington times., 1903-12-13
NEW DEPARTMENT
Of AGRICULTURE
PLANS ACCEPTED
Ten Buildings, Chiefly
Laboratories, to Be
Constructed.
WORK TO BEGIN In SPRING
War College Waits for More
Money-Real Estate and
Building Situation.


The Secretary Of Agriculture has ap-
proved the preliminary plans OF the
architects, Rankin, Kellogg & Crane, for
the new buildings authorized by Con-
gres. and il is thought that the work
OF construction can be begun early in
the spring. The appropriation of
$1.500.O 900 granted by the last Congress
is by no means sufficient for the COM
pick of buildings contemplated in Sec
rotary Wilson's plans as imperatively
needed for the diversified purposes of
the department. which call for num-
Der Of laboratories. With the sum in
hand three Of these can, it is believed,
be finished. but the erection Of the ad-
ministration building. which is to form
the center of this particular group as
shown in the Illustration, and which
also constitutes it's most ornamental
part, must be deferred until further ap-
preparations are placed at the disposal
of the head of the department.
The new buildings will be a conspic-
uous feature in the line of improve
nents contemplated in the plans of the
Park Commission. and right past them
will sweep the boulevard. 500 feet wide,
that is TO cross the Mall from the front
of the Washington Monument TO the
Capitol. The building now occupied by
the department WILL as soon as it is
no longer required. be demolished. as
neither in location nor in style of archi-
lecture will it harmonic with the more
ambitious structures to be erected in
the immediate and more remote fu-
ture.
Secretary Wilson's Statement.
The following statement in regard
20 the buildings. is taken from the Sec
retarys report. Just issued: The de-
partment is now occupying 137, 963 square
feet Of net floor space, 1911 square feet
of which Is In rented buildings. In or
der to accommodate the present needs OF
the department alone, this amount OF
space would have to be increased fully
- per cent.
The Department Of Agriculture is diff
ferent in its requirements. so far as
buildings are concerned, from other
branches of the Government Our work
is largely of a research nature. Labor
atories, therefore. are essential. and
form considerable portion of the room
required. a committee of bureau chiefs
IN tn department, consisting of Drs
Gallo'Bay. Salmon. and True has giver
care full consideration to the varied needs
and has made recommendations, which
j approve, that the best interests of the
department will be subserved by pro.
Viding for a series OF buildings connected
with paviliOns in such a way as to make
practically one harmonious structure
The chief advantage of this plan is thai
II can be laid out in such a way as tc
be added 10 indefinitely from time tc
time. as the needs of the department
gro".
Appropriation Not Sufficient.
These ideas formulated by the com
mittee have been further developed by
the architects, with a result that a ser
les of building has been designed. th'
central feature Of which is an admins
tative structure. Grouped about this ar,
laboratory buildings to be used by tn,
large bureaus in their research work
This scheme, as whole. provide,
for the erection Of ten buildings, all suit
able for the class Of investigation
which the department must necessaril,
carry on The amount authorized b,
Congress will suffice for the erection o
three OF the laboratory buildings, bu
II will not be sufficient for the cree
tion Of the administrative structure Tn
three buildings will have in them foo
space Of 100000 square feet. and will en-
able the department TO comply with tn
law, In so far as bringing within thes
structures all those branches of the de
partment that are now paying rent. Tn
three buildings contemplated will b.
completed within the appropriation au
thorized. according 20 the estimates Sc
cured at the present time
Style OF Architecture.
The general classical style Of archi
lecture viii be followed in connection
with the buildings. The administrative
structure will be monumental in Il
character and will embody the classica
forms in general external arrangements
The three laboratory buildings Il +
proposed to erect will each be 2O0s,GO feet
five stories nigh, including the basement
II is not vet fully determined whicl
three buildings will be first erected. TIL
administration structure viii not be pu
up at the present time. IT is probabl
that three laboratories will be erecte,
on the east side Of the grounds. facinl
the new National Museum, or they ma
be extended in "A row directly across tn
grounds from east TO west, from Twelfth
70 Fourteenth Street Arrangement
have not yet been perfected as TO ma
tCrial 10 be used In construction. In al
probability however. marble viii b
used.