Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25
NO SEHEGTION MADE.
-
Question Postponed Today for Future
consideratsonAAcol Biddle to
sssusSz Estimates.

The question as to the selection of stone
for the new District government building is
still undecided At the meeting of the mu-
nicipai building commission held today it
was decided to defer the selection of stone
until next Tuesday afternoon. In the mean
time Colonel Biddle. as executive officer OF
the commission, was authorized to secure
from the large contractors rough estimates
as to the probable cost of erecting the whole
superstructure, exclusive of the base. and
furnishing the materials for the structure.
The meeting. of the District building COM
mission, consisting of Secretary Shaw and
the three District commissioners. was held
IN the private office Of Secretary Shaw at
the treasury Depar tment. The conference
began at II O'clock this morning and did
not terminate until after 1 O'clock this at
ternoon, when 1t was announced that the
selection Of stone will be deferred until
next tuesday afternoon,
The Commissioners explained to Secretary
Shaw the various Propositions which have
been submitted to them by the several COM
petfng quarries for furnishing stone for the
new District government building, and the
points involved in each proposition were
set forth in detail. The Commissioners also
told the Secretary of what they have done
In connection with the selection OF stone:
their Inspection OF buildings eTeCteU OuC VI
stone submitted to the commission and
their opinion as to the relative merits OF
the several marble and granite stones Of
fered.
The stone question was discussed in con-
siderable detail, and the figures of the COM
petfng quarr1es were compared Supery1s-
ing Architect Taylor of the Treasury De-
partment, was called into the conference,
and gave information relative to methods
Of construction which were under consider
alton.
Secretary Shaw's Suggestion.
After the questions relating to stone had
been carefully discussed, Secretary Shaw
suggested that the selection of the stone be
deferred and that the commission ascertain
whether or not it is advisable and feasible
to hav ethe building constructed under one
contract, including the furnishing of mate
rial and the construction work. In connec-
ito nwith this suggestion the commission
discussed the questions as to the saving OF
time and of money land 1t was finally de-
cided to adopt Secretary Shaw's motion that
the selection of the stone be deferred and
that meeting be held next Tuesday after
noon. by which time it was thought Col.
Biddle will have secured rough estimates
from contractors as to the cost Of con-
structing the building and furnishing the
materials. '1-
1t is thought that some difficulty will be
encountered in getting accurate estimates
to the costDf this project in so short a
space of time.ir he plans are not all ready
as yet, and thesmaterials to be used in the
interior of the structure have not been de-
cided upon. 1t is probable, however, that
estimates based upon the cost per cubic
foot for the construction work can be OBJ
tanned. 1T e
OF the appropriation of $3.50 900 for the
completion of'the District building there
remains unexpended about $1,5OO, 900, which
is to be used for purchasing stone and con-
strHcting the building 1t is stated that a
large number of the biggest contractors in
the country areinow in the city engaged on
other building projects, and it is believed
that rough estimates based upon the cost
of constructions per cubic foot can be alb
tanned promptly. It fwill probably be i'm
possible to get very accurate estimates,
however. ~ va