The Washington times., 1904-03-06
NEW DEPARTM ENTS
SHOULD BE BUILT
ALONG THE AVENUE
A Government Officials
View of Pending Leg
iSlatiOn.
NEW OFFICE BUILDING
Clearing Site for Hall of
Records-Lansburgh
Tract Sale.
NEW OFFICE BUILDING

The discussion in the Senate over the
bill providing for the erection Of the
building for Departments Of State, jus
tice, and Commerce. on the squa-s
bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue and
II Streets, Jackson Place, and Seven
teenth Street. and the opposition which
this measure called forth has again
brought forward the much debated
question OF devoting the south side OF
Pennsylvania Avenue, all the way from
Fifteenth Street TO the Capitol Grounds.
to the accommodation OF such public
edifces as the Government may stand
in need of in the immediate or more
remote future.
When the Postoffice Building was
placed on Pennsylvania Avenue. it was
supposed that a beginning had been
made in the execution Of a settled pol
icy to obliterate gradually the private
character OF that side OF the Avenue
and &c make it distinctly and exclusive
~ n Government locality. It was not
believed that private or semi-public
purposes would be permitted 10 in
fiuence or institute a policy opposed 10
such a contamination, but the Senate
bill hereinbefore referred to would
seem to indicate that the eminently
proper spirit Of the new departure IL
not yet established with sufficient firm
ness TO prevent a deviation from this
policy if an opportunity therefor pre-
sents itself
Evolution of the Avenue.
There is not the shadow of doubt
an my mind" said a prominent officer OF
the Government yesterday, when spoken
TO on the subject, that the logical evo-
luton OF washington's architectural fu-
ture demands the upbuilding of Penn
sylvania Avenue-naturaily the most
beautiful thoroughfare in the worldly
means Of great edifices dedicated to the
uses of the government. 1t is impOssi-
he 10 conceive that either the first
President of the United States or the
eminent engineer who. under his direc-
ton, prepared a plan for the Capital
of the nation. should have believed
otherwise than that the greatest street
in the city of their creation would be
made the center OF all the architectural
efforts of the future. 1t is difficult 10
believe that upon their vision of the
future obtruded itself the unsightIy
spectacle Of such structures as now de-
face this street from one end to the
other. 1t is true that there are a few
buildings-but a very few indeed-that
are architecturally creditable, but these
can be counted on the fingers of one
hand and with but one exception they
are all confined to the north side of the
Avenue.
1T is most gratifying TO observe that
the bill calling for the construction Of
new department building on the historic
square opposite TO the State. War and
NAVY IT INF fg
ceive sufficient votes 10 place It upon
the statute books. Its success would
be two-fold calamity. for q would
mean the Dissertation of one Of the most
historic squares in the city, and at the
same time setback to the realization
Of the plan which looks TO the benutih-
Cation OF Pennsylvania Avenue bv IN.
erection on it's south side OF imposing
Government structures alternating per-
haps with inviting parks.
An Economic Policy.
From an economic standpoint. also
this policy is 10 be commended. ReIa-
lively. property on the south side OF
Pennsylvania Avenue can be acquired
at much lower prices than property IN
such locates as that indicated In the
Dill referred TO. The Government need
not pay exorbitant prices; ii need not
permit itself 10 be made the victim of
rapaciouS spectators or owners: IL can
protect itself by having recourse to the
process Of condemnation, and can thus
acquire at a fair valuation whatever
property IL chooses. I sincerely trust
that a bill providing for a new Govern
ment department viii pass AT this ses-
Eon OF Congress, and that the new
building may be located. where il should
be located. on the south side or Penn
sylvasia Avenue. preferably on the
square bounded by Twelfth and Thir-
teenth Streets. which is the insight
Heat on the western portion Of the
street"