The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-02-02
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

soosmeht VII tho pidus VI tne dTCni-
tects who entered into competition
for selection as tho designers OF the
three great new government buildings
which soon are 70 b. erected
II is the governments intention to
erect new buildings for the depart
ments OF commerce and labor. of JUS
tce. and Of state. between Ohio ave-
nue. and The Mall, which stretches its
green way from the capitol to the
monument.
The money for the structures al.
ready has been appropriated. 1t
amounts to about $4,000, 900. Author.
ity has been given for the employment
Of architects and for the prosecution
Of the building work.
At the time that the government Of.
hcfals considered the project OF de-
Gliding upon plans for the three great
new buildings 1t was determined that
only the best talent the country pro-
duced should be brought to bear In
making the selections for plans. Three
committees OF AWARD, consisting OF
i've persons for each building, were
named to study the preliminary plans
from which final selection should be
made. None Of the men appointed as
Judges had been in the field of compe-
ttion. and all of them we're distin,
guished in architectural work.
Entering into the competition were
81 architects, 10 to each building. The
intention was not to secure fully do
veloped plans, but evidences of skill
In directing such elements of prelim-
mary planning as would show that
the ultimate work was certain to hold
both beauty and strength.
Uncle Sans Extensive Plan.
When the Jurors were ready to be-
gin the work Of passing Judgment on
the plans submitted, Secretary of the
Treasury MacVeagh took them into his
office and told them that the present
project was the beginning of the work
OF taking over the whole south side
Of Pennsylvania avenue for govern
ment purposes, and he impressed upon
them the necessity of seeing to II
that the plans which they approved
were not only Of high excellence, but
were In artistic sympathy with the
great scheme OF a government park
which was to be added to the grounds
OF The Mall and TO occupy all the sec
ton south OF Pennsylvania avenue
now given over to business interests.
The building for the department of
commerce and labor will be the largest
Of the three new structures. 1t will
are to be only three. 1t will be sos
feet long with depth of 300 feet.
The elevation shows a plain facade.
the chief feature Of which Is a row
Of 2S attached columns. The building
probably will be Of marble.
Of commerce and labor building will be
q huge aquarium In the center. in which
will be shown an exhibit of the bureau
Of fisheries. Today this Is one Of the
most interesting sights In the city, but
the aquarium Of the present time Is
In a far on section of the town and
comparatively few people know OF Its
existence.
Beauty Of the Designs.
II is virtually impossible with a lay.
mans pen to give an adequate idea OF
the beauty of the designs which are
now on exhibition In the treasury
building. A fine detail OF the facade
Of the structure intended to house the
state department is eight Corinthian
columns flanked on either side by SIX
Doric columns. The four sides will
present to the view Sc Doric columns
some attached and others standing alb
solutely free.
In the state department building
there will be great dining room with
reception room on one side and q
smoking room on the other. The head
OF the state department has occasion
at times to pay honor to foreign
guests OF distinction, and the innova
ton of the banquet hall with all the
necessary adjuncts of kitchens and
pantries will enable the department
by entertaining in its own building, to
give an entirely official significance tc
the receptions which the necessities
OF diplomacy entail upon the repre-
sentatives of the great government
when representatives of other great
governments are in visiting bent
May Beat Commission Bill.
Tariff commission legislation is In
danger II has been pointed out that
before this some OF the Republicans
o. one OF the factions In the house
were opposed to the bill In the form
In which President Taft has given Il
endorsement II may be now that
these Republicans will succeed IN
making such changes In the measure
that II will not receive final endorse
nsnt
President Taft Is emulating the
Roosevelt strenuosity In his endeavol
to get the factions together on the
Iongworth bill. which more nearly
meets his views OF the form which the
legislation should take. The Demo
! Gratis will not fec. OF oil bad II the