The Washington herald., 1911-07-02

1
to the south. thus preserving the har-
mony OF arrsngement of the individual
members: The basement OF this building
win be OF two stories. while that OF the
Department OF Justice viii be of only
one. This Is caused by the difference
in level Of the parts of Fifteenth street.
As the rows OF columns are supported on
this architectural basement, the differ
ence in the street level makes this pro-
vision necessary to keep the rows of
columns In All OF the buildings at the
same level.
COnmeree and Labor.
Between these two buildings and facing
on Fifteenth street is the space reserved
for the Department Of Commerce and
Labor building In architectural design
this building differs materially from The
other two. The essential differences are
that IL is larger and much palmer 1t
forms what Is termed a link between the
other two simplicity prevails through
out Its design. although the harmony of
its lines Is maintained. so that there
Is no perceptible loss in the general plan,
nor any incongruous defect.
The main entrance to this building is
on Fifteenth street. but the entrance on
Fourteenth street, on a level with the
street and car lines, is reserved for the
convenience of employees as well as
others who desire to use IL.
All OF these buildings win be construct
ed, IL Is believed, OF white marble, SINH
lar to that used in the office buildings
OF the House and the Senate.
Meeting the Needs.
All OF the three departments provided
competing architects with schedules
showing the needs Of each department
This schedule showed the number of
rooms now in use and the number Of oc-
cupants in each one scheme was also
shown of the dependence OF these rooms
upon one another. 30 as TO help In prop
erly arranging the layout OF rooms.
This scheme showed the present needs
and forecast the probable needs of each
department at periods Of five years hence
and at fifteen years hence. so that the
future growth OF each department might
in some measure be provided for.
With this before them. the architects
were able to plan not only for the pres
eat needs, OF accommodation and interior
Arrangement. but TO look forward so that
no additional space need be sought FOR
some years to come.
This preparation brought out vividly the
scattered forces ana the cramped quar-
ters OF the three departments.
The State Department Is now spread
over many Buildings outside OF its head
.ofices along with the war and Navy
departments Many pfivate dwellings,
widely distributed over the city. are IN
use by all three OF these departments.
ana the disadvantages are many
II Is pointed ont that the Department
of Commerce and Labor alone pays an
annual rental Of $4,000 for its widely
dispersed oalces Similar conditions pre-
van IN the other two departments.
Who WflE oeeapy Them.
In the cases Of the Departments OF State
and justscs no dlhiculties present shera-
selves regarding the transfer Of ofncss
to the new bindings II Il conceded that
the new buildings win BE- auficient to ac-
conmodase all Of thu ofaces working
under these departments
But the Department % Commerce and
Labor presents unusual conditions This
is one Of the largest of All the depart
ments, u not the largest when al ara
collected. Il i conceded that the tsr,-
porary forces employed On the decenniaf
census sannot Be housed d the new boiid.
lns. The permanent census o1icials can
be taken care ef there. but those ~bo
who se On duty curing the taklnr sf TIE
census es1hoi tz placed N the b1|I1.