The Washington herald., 1910-11-06

Forty years ago. when Congress voted
an appropriation of Sll,OO0OOO for the
structure to be known as the state. War
and Navy Building. people stopped to
ask each other the reason for the ener-
nous expenditure. And when a few
months later il became known that this
building was to comprehend four and one
half acres of floor space they held up
their hands in horror. What could
be done with ali this vast area? Why
should the countrys money be so wasted
When the structure was completed and
thrown open for occupancy. ana the
three departments We're moved into their
new quarters, the building became an
active field of departmental labor Yet
even at this time people could not realize
that such an enormous structure was at
all necessity. Look at the miles of
halls, the critics said, look at the number
OF uaoccupied rooms.
Object of RidicuIe.
For some years after its completion
this towering pile OF granite next door
10 the White House was the subject OF
Iidicue In fact. il is well remembered
that few years ago, when it was seen
that ever-increasing work made an addi-
ton 10 the White House offices a neces-
sity, u was seriously suggested that now
the big structure could be made 10 nil
the want, and the transfer Of all except
the Presidents private Office was con-
templated
1t must be said that minds have changed
with the changing times. for, when the
other day the Treasury Department an
nOunced the selection of architects who
are 10 compete in the designs for the
three new buildings for the departments
of State. Justice. and Commerce and
Labor, there was not SO much as a casual
criticism. 1t is now q realization that
the cid building on Executive avenue r.
outgrown and overerowded.
This new operation of the government
is one Of the greatest, both from con-
structivo and architectural STANDPOINT,
ever attempted in the National Capital
Including as it does. the total demou-
ton of three city blocks and the closing
of int5Tsecting streets. all within the BUSH
ness center OF the city. it can only be
interpreted as marking a long step to-
ward placing the scenes Of the govern
mental activities of tine nation in an
architectural scheme destined 10 add
beauty TO the city and place it upon a
plane with the capitals Of the Continent.
work soon Begins.
According 10 the plans of the Treasury
officials, the actual construction work is
10 begin at a date not far distant The
competition for the designs submitted by
the architects closes on December so of
the present year. Succeeding this, the
commission Of award will undoubtedly
be engaged for several months on the
work of selecting the successful architect.
The designs selected viii be modified TO
a considerable extent before the detailed
plans are prepared, but the whole time is
not expected 10 be more tnan a year.
Upon this basis the construction may
be expected 10 commence early in 1872
and viii then be carried TO swift COM
pletion. According 10 the plans already
adopted for the development OF the plat,
the block OF buildings facing on Penn
sylVania avenue will be the last TO fall.
Facing the Avenue will be the Depart
ment OF Justice. with the space OF ground
extending from Fifteenth TO Fourteenth
streets and south TO a line of the facade
Of the new Municipal Building thrown
into a park. In a general way, this will
complete "A park space extending down To
Thirteenth street. with the portion in
front of the District Building and the
triangle containing the recently dedicated
statue of Count Pulaski completing the
rectangle
Eighty Millions to lie spent.
The total amount to be spent in this
great work will total close TO $4,000, COO
on more than seven times the amount
originally voted by Congress for the
State. War, and Navy Building The
separate amounts assigned TO each build
ing are: For the Department OF Justice
s1.9Oo,O0; for the Department of Com
nlerce and Labor. S36500OO, and for the
Department Of State, $2,2O0,00O.
Various features are to be included in
each building-diplOmatic accommodations
In the State Department, aquariums in the
Commerce and Labor building for the
Bureau of Fisheries, and various rooms
for government attorneys in the Justice
structure,
$1,000 azNA xy~xzNS - NNH NsA4~S