The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-12
NEW BUILDING FOR THREE
DEPARTMENTS is NEEDED
Senator fairbanks Report on
Necessity for More Working
Room in Washington.
WHITE HOUSE TOO SMALL

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Fair
banks has filed an interesting report in con-
nectiOn with his bill proposing the erection
OF new building for the Departments of
Justice. State, and Commerce and Labor.
The report says: 1T is obvious that the
growth of the business of the great execu-
tive departments will make additional build
ings necessary at no distant day. In the
course OF time. no doubt, each will require
a separte building. For the present, how
ever, the requirements Of the three depart
ments most urgently in need of additional
accommodations will be met by the con-
structiOn OF the building contemplated by
the pending bill" Senator Fairbanks gives
an interesting history of public building
legislation. He calls attention to the fact
that nearly all of the great public buildings
In Washington were erected only after years
OF agitation. He suggests incidentally that
a new building should be erected as a bust
ness Office for the President. On this point
he says:
THE present White House was construct
ed and occupied in November, 1900. IL was
rebuilt in 1929. When first occupied the
country had a population of $4,000 The
fact that hundred years have elapsed and
that the population is approximately fifteen
cient argument for giving 20 the President
additional accommodations. The subject OF
charging the present White House or pro-
viding space elsewhere in the vicinity for
the force of clerks, and an office for the
President in which he could transact his
official business, reserving to his family and
TO himself some measure of domestic prf-
vacy, has been a subject of official recon-
mendation from time 10 time.
Elaborate plans were prepared under the
direction OF the late Mrs Benjamin Harri-
son and approved by Colonel Bingham, Com
missioner of Public Buildings, which con-
templated an extension Of the White House.
At the time they were submitted there had
been no action in Congress to provide ex-
ecutive offices apart from the White House,
reserving that building as home for the
President in the fullest sense OF the word,
and preserving II with historical associa-
tons unmarried in its original design as ii
was planned a century ago.
The recommendations Of Colonel Bing-
ham are quoted in this report emphasiz-
ing the necessity of making some provision
for relieving the pressure for additional
space at the White House That officer has
pointed out the inconvenience and embar-
Iassment that has attended official recep-
tons and other functions of the President
because OF the lack of room. These incOn-
venienceS have been observed by members
OF Congress. and have been subject of fire.
Quent comment in the public press.
THE committee, after carefully consider
ing this matter has concluded that the diff
Guilty could be Obviated largely by removing
the force Of executive clerks TO another
DOlOlnk near Dy, ana permitting the ITeSl-
dent 10 use the space now occupied by them,
for domestic purposes. In the arrangement
OF the proposed Executive. State, and Justice
building. the plan is TO provide space and
accommodations to enable the President to
transact official business in the new build
ing, which Will be easy OF access from the
White House.
1.-The committee regards Ii as entirely
proper and advisable that ample provision
should be made in the new building to enable
the President TO accommodate the public at
official and other functions
would overtax the capacity of the White
House.