The Washington herald., 1911-02-22

said. II was possible to effect a great
stroke and deliver set Of structures to
the government which would In the fu-
ture be one of the great sights of the
nation just as are the Capitol, the
Library Of Congress, the White House,
and the Monument to-day.
1t is understood that the three archi-
tects warmed instantly to Secretary Mac
Veagh's ideas. Although the three firms
have never worked together before, there
is now a coalition for the purpose of pro-
ducing the great building group. Study
will be carried over period of possibly
three months, and numerous drawing of
the group proposed will be turned out.
After the best results of this work have
been submitted to the Secretary OF the
Treasury, the National Arts Commission
will be given its opportunity to inspect
and criticise
Views of Artists and Architects.
The arts commission, as its functions
prescribe. win have the final word as to
the design and location of the three
buildings Inasmuch as this body is COM
posed of many of the leading artists and
architects Of the country the perfection
! of the plans is practically assured even
at this day
IN separate Ii y" lOli
next Monday the architects who have
won the designs of the three buildings
will learn from Secretary OF State Knox.
Attorney General wickersham. and Sec
retary Nagel the particular accommoda-
ton needs of their respective depart
ments.
In this matter also, II is proposed TO
make no mistake. The many details pc
culiar to the needs of each department
are to be worked out with the utmost
care. It is whispered in this connection
that frantic efforts will hardly be made
! to keep the cost OF interior construction
and decoration within the estimates. for
1t is felt that with dignified plans under
way Congress will hardly withhold any
amounts called for by a deficiency ap-
preparation.
Providing the determination Of plans
progress favorably during the coming
summer, it is said to be likely that the
demolition of the buildings occupying a
portion of the ground where the new de-
partments are to be placed will COM
mence next fall AS conceived at pres
ent- the plans do not call for the imme-
diate removal of the theater and the
hotel buildings which face on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. In case that particular
plot OF ground is to be converted into a
HoL ~ NhO dI pItSCHl OSCupS MS
| it win be left to earn rent for some time.
No Hurry by Government.
The lease on the theater building, it is
understood. has three years yet to run,
| with a proviso that should the govern
ment desire the structure vacated be-
fore that time it pay damages at the rate
of $4,000 a year. 1t is generally con-
ceded that there will be no occasion for
the government to pay damages in this
quarter.
The imposition of the three new build
ings of the government on the ground
south of the Avenue Is to result in the
formation of a magnificent square, which
it is expected will become something OF
a municipal center. In fact, suggestions
were filed with both the Secretary of
the Treasury and the supervising archi-
tect yesterday that the street car COM
pany be made to cause its tracks 70
detour around this square when COM
pleted: that a park be established. and
| that the business concerns bordering two
sides OF the square be given every in
ducement to add to its general beauty.
Broad sidewalk cafes are suggested, al
so theater and roof garden at the east
ern end of the square. 1t was pointed
out by the caller that Washington had
no municipal center. and that the erec-
| ton of the new government buildings
would afford the opportunity to install it