The Caucasian., 1909-07-08
WASHINGTON LETTER
EspeciaI correspondence.l |

vent the erection of monstrosities by
private owners, Engineer Commission
er Judson has under consideration
plan for safeguarding the physical
growth of the national capital. In or
der to obtain information as to how
this can be accomplished Major Jud
son has asked the aid of the Washing
ton chapter, American Institute Of
Architects. 1t has promised to give
the matter attention.
Uniformity of Architecture.
Most European cities of the first
rank and especially European capi-
tails" wrote Major Judson to James
Rush Marshall, president Of the local
chapter of architects, Impose upon
private builders certain requirements
as to the aesthetic features Of their
structures. l am not sure that such
requirements could be legally. enforced
in Washington. am uncertain wheth-
pr Americans are prepared to submit
TO them.
Nevertheless since any city is for
the most part an aggregation of struc-
lures privately planned and erected
do not see how we can be sure that
the great Washington of the future
will rise to a desired plane of beauty
unless some procedure shall be adopt
ed that will limit the power of a pri-
vate owner to offend the taste Of his
fellow citizens, lessen the value Of his
neighbor's property, detract from the
beauty Of his own city and incidental
ly inf1ict financial loss upon himself"
Uncle Sans Employees.
More than 3S,500 of the residents Of
the District of Columbia are employed
by the United States and District gov
ernments. according to a statement
made by District officials in response
10 inquiries recently received by the
commissioners. The employers are
distributed as follows: Government Of
the District, 5000; congressional, 500;
library OF congress, 463; departments
and commissions, 25,136; navy yard,
5000; city postoffice, S19; government
printing Office, 1850; custom house,
II; internal revenue. 6; quartermas-
ter's department. 250; engineers de-
partment, $50, and pension agency, 21;
total, 3S,516. More than per cent Of
the population is composed of govern
ment employees, while about 33 1-3 per
cent of the population are composed
Of the employees and their families.
1t is estimated that more than $40, ,000,-
600 a year is paid these employees for
their services, the larger amount Of
which is expended in the District.
New Offices For Senators.
Probably the largest building under
taking which will be completed this
year is the new 100000 United
States senate Office building, on the
northeast corner OF New Jersey ave-
nue. and B street.
There is no lack of room in the new
structure. In fact, provision has been
made for needs that may arise for
many years in the future. There is
whole floor on the Delaware avenue
and G street frontage which will not
be fitted up at ali this year. AS more
space is needed the fourteen suits of
rooms on this side can be fitted up and
made ready for occupancy with little
trouble or delay.
Naval Hospital to Excel.
With the completion Of the seven |
new buildings at the United States
Naval Medical School hospital Wash
ington will have one of the largest |
and most up to date naval hospitals
in the world.
great deal of thought and study |
have been given to the details of the
plans for the new hospital by both |
the construction and medical officials |
Of the navy department.
Each building will be two and half |
stories in height and will be built Of |
brick and concrete. Each exterior |
brick wall will have an air space Of
two inches, and everything will be I
done to make the buildings as nearly |
fireproof as possible
1t will require about a year to COM
plete the entire work. and it is esti-
mated that the cost will be about
$500. 1000.
State Department Expenditures.
Louis Warner, secretary of the CON-
mittee on expenditures of the state de-
partment, of which Representative
John W. Weeks of Massachusetts is
chairman, has written and the govern
ment printing Office has published a
comprehensive history of expenditures
In the state department since the foun-
dation of the United States. 1t gives
a splendid history of the state depart
ment In the broader aspect also and is
a valuable work Of reference.
The compilation Of this book is an in
dication that Chairman Weeks pro-
poses at the next session to make his
committee do some active work in
probing into state department expendi- I
lures. Heretofore the committee has |
been largely ornamental
Floral Fete In September.
Something on the order of a floral I
fete will be held in Washington dur
ing the month of September. A deci-
sion to this effect has been reached by
the COMMITTEES on ADVERTISING of the