Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-20
REPORT OF MAI. sEWELL
CONSTRUCTION OF war COZ
LEaE AND ENaIHEER SCHOOL
Progress Of the Work-Unexpected
Delay Observation-Disclosures Now
Available for Service.

MAJ. John 8. Eeweil. the engineer officer
In charge of the extensive construction
work tn progress at the Washington bar
racks reservation, designed to adapt 1t to
tho uses OF the Army War College and the
Army Engineer School. has made report
to Gen. Mckenzie. chief of engineers. of the
operations during the past fiscal year and
the present condition OF the work.
AS to the Army War College building.
Maj. SeweH says that the structure
proper fs between SIS per cent and 30 per
cent complete. and that the terrace is
about 90 per cent completed. 1t has been
expected to finish the building by the 1st
OF July. but the time required in atten-
course OF the construction has been con-
sioeraoiy protracted. Maj. Seweil says that
the delays in connection with the roof
work are quite SERIOUS at the present
to get the building finished in the early
future A portion of the west wing has
been made weather tight and finish work
esuch as piastering. wood trim. wood
ton with as many men as can be eco
holnlcaliy worked in the space available
Inc completion of the remainder of the
building. Maj. Sewell says. is dependent
upon the progress of the roof work. Once
the building Is weather-tight the interior
nnish, which has to be done by the United
states can be completed within three or
four weeks.
Much Already Accomplished.
All the work 1t was possible to accom-
plish with the available funds on the build
ings of the Engineer School has been prao-
ucally completed. The new construction
accomplished includes two barrack build
ings for two companies each. one band bar
rack one quartermaster and commissary
store mouse, one engineer store house. two
mess hall buildings for enlisted men, fir
teen sets of officers quarters four double
sets OF non-commissioned officers quarters
one ofncers mess, one set Of quartermas-
ters shops. one quartermasters' stable, one
quartermaster wagon She'd one stable
guard house. one bakery and one wharf.
Foundations were also completed for one
set Of bachelor officers quarters, but GER
tain trouble having developed all work on
that building was suspended, and the funds
which would otherwise have been applied
to II were used for completing the engineer
store house. Maj. Sewel says that the
neer School and the engineer post can oc-
cupy 1t, although at considerable inconven-
fence.
Buildings Now Needed.
While the new buildings" says Maj. Sew
ell. together with the old ones which have
been retained will enable the engineer
school to get along. 1t will be Impossible
to do so with the maximum efficiency and
without considerable Inconvenience. Study
of the project during the progress of the
work has made 1t apparent that 1t would
not have been possible in any case to have
so combined the old buildings with the new
ones as to produce a perfectly satisfactory
result. 1t would therefore seem well worth
while to complete the project for the engi-
neer school as shown on the approved plans,
although. as stated in previous reports
this layout was made with a view to the
ultimate development Of the post in the
most efficient way and not necessarily with
the idea of Immediate completion,
The buildings of which the post stands \
most In need are as follows: A building at
the entrance to include post headquarters,
guard house, etc; building for bachelors
officers quarters a new post hospital, en-
gfneer trade school shops and engineer
school power house. There should also be
post exchange. but 1t Is supposed that
this will be provided for IN due co,irse from
appropriations made from time to time es-
pecialiy for that purpose
The amount expended to date on the war;
college building out of total appropriations
Of 100000 is $49s, 1874 and there are out
standing liza blities ond contracts amounting
TO $lo2,S06, leaving an available balance OF
$4S,429. The expenditures to date on account
OF the buildings for the engineer school are
S1,0O6,o5S, with outstanding liabilities of
81. 66G, leaving O. balance Of 1916.