Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-19
TO BUY VAN NESS PARK
PAN-AMERICAN BUREAU WILL
OBTAIN THE LAND.
Proposition Of George Washington
University Accepted by Secretary
Root on Behalf Of the Bureau.

In behalf of the bureau of American re-
publics Secretary Root has accepted the
proposition from George Washington Uni
versity to purchase from them a complete
square of ground comprising five acres at
the foot of 18th street, known as Van Ness
Park. upon which the university was about
to erect its buildings. This will form the
site for the new home of the bureau of
American republics. to provide for which
Congress has made an appropriation OF
$3.50, 0OO a sum which Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
has increased by s7o0,000.
The site is in the direct line of the pro-
longation of the great boulevard which, ac-
cording to the plans of the park commission,
is to traverse the Mall from east to west lot
a distance of three miles. 1t was chosen be-
cause it is adjacent to the present state
Department building and will be directly OPP
posite and not far removed from the site
which it is proposed to be occupied IN the
near future for the new State Department
building on 18th and B streets northwest.
The executive board of the bureau OF
American republics will meet THURSDAY 10
consider the method by which plans Ior the
construction of the new building shall be
selected and 1t is possible that an eHort
will be made to especially interest the archi-
tects of all the American republics IN THIS
subject.
The Price Paid for the Property.
The consideration given tOr the van ->eSs
property was not made public, but 1t Is
known to be easily within $25O,OOO the
amount appropriated by Congress for the
ground. The only building standing on
the ground at present is the old Van Ness
mansion, in it's day one Of the most IA
nous and hospitable residences In the CITY.
The house is now used by the engineering
school of George Washington University.
Director Barrett of the bureau OF Amerl-
can republics regards the Van Ness site as
an ideal one in every respect Inc COM
mission in selecting>it, he said, was moved
by the consideration that the site was to
be one for a magnificent building, and that
the purpose for which it Is designed could
not be so we'll subserved at a place remote
from other public buildings. The building
will contain not only the offices OF the
bureau, but will have a large assembly
room, where great national and interna-
tional meetings may be held. 1t will be
equipped with a large library and reading
room. and will have rooms for the meetings
of commissions and private rooms for the
diplomats of South and Central America.
To make fitting site for such building,
Mr. Barrett said, it was necessary TO nave
spacious grounds around the structure,
with abundant opportunities for light ana
landscape effects. He said approaches to
the building would probably be made to
typify some of the splendid avenues and
esplanades Of Latin American cities.
Mr. Barrett stated also that it was the
intention of the commission to prosecute
the work of erecting the building as rap
idly as possible. To that end the commits
sion, he said would have meeting Thurs
day to consider arrangements for a COM
petition among architects for designs.