The Washington times., 1909-09-04
OFFICIALS PLEASED
WITH CONDEMNATION
Think Price Named for De-
partment Sites a Good
One.

Tentative plans for the erection Of the
two new Government buildings, one
for the Department of Commerce and
Labor and the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the other for the De-
partments of State and Justice. on the
recently condemned property south of
pennsylvania avenue, are already under
way, and il the plans of members OF
Congress having the matter ia charge
are carried out. more than 81. 0e0. 600 will
be expended on the new structures.
Government officials and members of
Congress are highly pleased with the
figures placed on the property by the
commission which condemned the land.
Senator Scott of West Virginia said this
morning that he regarded the purchase
as good business proposition.
Will Save $25o,ooo Annually.
The erection of the buildings. which.
however, will probably not be started
before three years. will save the Gov
eminent more than $4,000 annually in
rent. The two buildings TO be erected
will be model structures in every par
ticular and will represent two distinct
types of the public building. The Dc
partment of Commerce and Labor and
the Interstate Commerce Commission
will be housed in one building. Every
modern convenience for the transaction
of business win ne provided and every
labor-saving equipment will have d
place in the various offices. II viii be
a model office building in every par
ticular.
In the building for the Departments
Of State and Justice artistic decorations
and luxurious fittings will have a place.
There has been considerable complaint
In times past because Of the lack Of
fscilities for properly receiving and
entertaining the foreign commissions,
special representatives. etc. that from
time to time visit the United States.
There has never been suitUable place
for the meeting OF the seTni-official in
ternationaI congresses which the Gov
eminent feels called upon TO entertain
from time 10 time.
Large sums Of money have been ex-
pended in the rent and decoration Of
buildings for the Pan-American Con-
gress. the International Postal Congress
and similar representative bodies OF gov
eminent officials from all parts OF the
world 1t Is proposed in the new State
Department to incorporate In the plans
q suite suitable for such uses that viii
not only include an assembly hall Of
proper size. but rooms to provide against
every contingency. There will also be
reception rooms for members OF the
Diplomatic Corps fitted with every can
Nenience.
Modern Library Equipment
A modern library equipment Is to De
provided for the law library OF the
Department OF Justice section OF the
building. and there win also be recep-
ton and consultations rooms. The deco
rative features of this building will be
in keeping with the purposes for which
il is intended. 1t is proposed to spend
g, OOo, 900 on this structure.
OF the two, ne apartments OF State
and Justice with Re on the northern sec
ton OF the site. nearest the White
House, IL Is understood. Both buildings
will face the White House. according
TO present plans. and both will be con-
structed OF granite. The Department Of
Commerce and Labor will be four stories
in height. and will cost, according to
present estimates. $4,000. This build
ing will cover more ground than the
State and Justice building. and will be
larger in every way.
When the State Department gets its new
home the divisions Of the War and
Navy Departments that are housed in
outside rented structures will be moved
into the vacated space in the War and
Navy building. as II viii then be called.
This will cause the vacation of the Mills
building. and the various other struc-
lures that are now rented by the Gov
eminent for use OF these departments.