Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-20
Marble or Granite?
TO the Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
In your editorial of Mondays issue re-
lating to the use of granite rather than
marble for the new union station build
ing you say: 1T has been understood
from the first that this struc-
ture would be monumental in character.
The architect has prepared n classic de-
sign, on the same order the public
buildings already in existence and con-
templated for future creation. 1t was
the general expectation that it would
conform in material as well to the stand
ards already set in the capital equipment
and be produced in marble"
The inference from the above quoted
monumental in character unless it is
built of marble, and that all the public
buildings in the city are of this material.
Were we to accept your definition of a
monumental building, then it would be
found that the government owned only
two of them-the patent office and the
old Post Office Department buildings.
One has to live in Washington but a
short time to find out that the main part
of the Capitol is limestone, painted
white the wings being of monumental
material. The State, War and Navy De-
partments building, the Library of Con-
gross and the new post office are of de-
spised granite, though regarded as the
most beautiful buildings in the city.
Then we have the pension office and
printing Office, both of Virginia soil. The
treasury may be of marble, but until the
dirt is removed it will have to remain
unclassifieu
To an impartial observer it seems that
in selecting white granite for their sta
ton the railroad is conforming very well
to the standard set by the government.
Granite is Il much more suitable material
for a depot than marble. Situated as it
II
soon become begrimed. The Capitol is
located in the midst of a large park, yet
the marble wings require cleaning of the
most energetic character every few
years. A. T.. ADAMS.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
l am very glad 10 learn that the new
railroad station is to be built of granite
instead of marble. The same reasons that
induced the change in that building APP
plies with equal force to all public build
ings. They should all be built of granite
instead of marble, not only because
granite is more durable, but because it
gives to the buildings a more substantial
appearance. Besides, marble, If with a fin
ished surface, has a glary and disagree
able appearance in the sunlight and soon
becomes streaked and disfigured by the dust
which accumulateS on it and is washed
down by the rain. No one who examines
the national library building or the newer
portions of the Treasury building, it seems
the superiority of granite over marble for
our public buildings. l am aware that the
commission for the improvement of the
Capitol recommended that the public build
ings to be erected should be of marble. and
l understand that the Agricultural Depart
ment building is to be of marble, but 1
think it is a mistake; they should be of
granite
Another great mistake was in the House
cutting down the appropriation for the
Agricultural building s1,0c0,0Oo. The amount
paid in the last five years for common
garden and flower seeds for free distribu-
ton and which can be had at any village
or country store. equals that sum- How
much better to have spent that money on
the building and furnished one that would
be a credit to the nation and answer the
purposes of the department for years to
come There never was a more foolish
waste of money than this distribution of
common garden and flower seeds, but I'M
fortunately, In that as in some other mat
tiers, demagogism and not craftsmanship
controls The introduction of new seeds
and plants is of great benefit to the coun-
try. but the amount appropriated for that
is but trile compared with the other.
w. c. DODGE.