Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-23
TO HASTEN ARM0RY
Senator GaIIinger Wants Work
Begun Within Year.
TO MEASURE
Would Have Congress Approve
Plans Of Special Commission.
FAVORS LETTING CONTRACTS
Addition to Sundry Civil Appropria-
ton Bill Makes $4,000 I'm
mediately Available.
FAVORS LETTING CONTRACTS

That start in the construction Of a
new armory for the District National
Guard, in accordance with the plans sub
mltted to Congress last session, be made
within the next year is proposed in an
amendment which Senator Gallinger has
offered to the sundry civil appropriation
bill
The chairman of the Senate District
committee proposes that a paragraph be
inserted in that bill expressing the an
prevail by Congress of the plans of the
special commission appointed to prepare
plans and specifications, defeating the
site of the old Pennsylvania railroad sta
ton for the armory, authorizing the let
ting of contracts for the building to cost
not more than s., go 600 and appropriating
$4,000 to be Immediately availabl to
begin construction work.
The adoption of this provision. it Is
argued, Will mean the early completion
of the project which has. been aHtated
by the local guardSmen and their friends
In the District for several years Con-
gress would be committed to the plan, it
is pointed out, and would make provision
for further work as the construction pro-
eeeded.
Supervision of Work.
The amendment to the appropriation
bill would put the construction work
under the direct supervision of the Of
ficer in charge of public buildings and
grounds in the District, but the plans for
the building are to be approved by the
Secretary of War and by committee
consisting of the members Of the armory
Commi ssion.
The plans for the new armory for the
local National Guard organization We're
prepared under the direction of a special
commission appointed by an act of Con-
gress. 1t was composed of the assistant
secretary of war, the general command
ing the District militia. the officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds
in the District and the superintendent of
the Capitol buildings and grounds. To
cover the expenses of that commission
Congress appropriated s., 800.
The commission recommended that the
armory be on the site Of the old Penn
sylvania railroad station. using the
frontage along the south side of B
street, between eth and 7th streets.
This situation is central, accessible
by several car lines, on ground already
occupied by the United States. and near
for outdoor drills" the commission
commented. Moreover. 1t is under
stood to be the policy of Congress. as
evidenced by the location Of new build
and the National Museum, to place pub
lie buildings of a monumental character
along both sides of the Mall. The
south front Of the proposed armory is
to be in prolongation Of the building
line Of the corresponding front of the
new National Museum
Five Estimates Submitted.
The commission submitted five estimates
Of cost. based ON the use of five different
materials The commission expressed a.
preference for a building constructed Of
granite composite (concrete) or of granite.
The limit Of cost fixed in the amendment
indicates that it would provide for a
granite armory The architects estimate
for such a building was $2,lA-,4:D. but
the commission thought that estimate
should be increased by $3S,o1O, making
the total estimated cost of u granite
armory 50, eco. 1t is also estimated
by the commission that from three to
four years would be necessary to finish
the structure.
Senator Gallinger's amendment was re-
ferred to the Senate committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds. 1t is expected
it will receive the approval of that COM
mittee and then be referred to the Sen
ate committee on appropriations for ms
CORPORATION In the sundry civil appropria-
ton bill Upon that committees action
largely will depend the fate of the project
at this session. =,
The friends of the plan for new
armory in the National Capital contend
that the appointment Of the commission
to prepare plans and specifications COM
mtted Congress to it and that Congress
should now further it by making pro-
vision for the beginning of construction.