Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-03
POWER PLANT
URGED BY MACVEAGH
Sundry Civil Bill Will Contain
Item of $1,000 for
Investigation.

The Sundry civil appropriation BILL
soon to be reported to the House from
the appropriations committee, will con-
tain a paragraph appropriating. $4,000
for the investigation of the subject of
a central power plant for the new
buildings to be erected on the Mall
near the bureau of engraving and
printing.
The bill will also create a commits
sion consisting Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury and four other members
to be selected by him--three from de-
partments directly inter ted m the
proposed power plant AM one rom
some other branch of the government
that has had experience in designing
and erecting large plants of this type,
to direct the inquiry.
In a communication to Speaker
Cannon Secretary of the Treasury
Macveagh says:
Plans for New Building.
The Congress has authorized the
erection OF four buildings along the
: eastern boundary of the White Lot
for the Departments OF State. Justice
and Commerce and Labor, and the bu-
reau of engraving and printing. The
aggregate limit of cost is $4,000. OOO.
me plans and specifications Of the bu-
reau building are in the hands of pro
icssionai estimators and will be re-
leased to competing contractors imme-
diately; an architectural competition
| is being conducted in the case OF the
proposed homes for the three depart
building projects have been launched
and the problem Of supplying heat and
power and light is pressing for solu-
| ton.
II recommend to the Congress the es-
| adjustment OF a central power station
at point convenient to the present bu-
| reau OF engraving and printing The
| practicability and economy Of such a
course have been determined. ! am OF
! the opinion that il is feasible and de-
s!rable, in making provision to serve the
/ four projected buildings. 10 extend the
| service TO such existing government build
inss as may be supplied economically
within the operating zone Q, the pro-
posed power plant. 1t Is estimated that
| the segregated heating and power plants
| IN the dozen buildings OF the executive
| group, adjacent to the White Lot and
/, Mall, contain eighty-five boilers. These
| consume about $4,000 tons of coal an
| nually and require the attention of 100
employees. The aggregate rating of the
| engines and other mechanisms is $500
| horsepower. With the four new buildings
in commission it is probable that the
\ SQuipifHIl WIZ ltiIlCdoC - VI pei SSit
A Measure Of Economy.
!, 1T is possible by the concentration of
! the units of expense in highly efficient
plant operated under competent direction
| 20 secure unification of design and effect
! a material saving. At present there are
heterogeneous requirements and installa-
| tions-a heavy annual cost attending pur-
chased lighting service, scattered loca-
! ton OF boilers throughout the Independent
buildings, resulting in the absence Of con-
tinuous competent supervision, the trans
portation of fuel by stevedores, whereas
it should be automatically delivered from,
cars to storage bins, the expense incident
| to the removal Of ashes, and the Occu-
| Fancy by machinery and fuel of $4,000
cubic feet Of valuable space in the de-
partment buildings. II the existing de-
| partment buildings could enjoy practical
freedom from smoke noise and heat, and
il the space now occupied by the ma
chinery and fuel could be assigned to of.
does or converted into receptacles for
archives, some rented buildings in the
District OF Columbia could be surrender
ed. / am Of the opinion that the Congress
could, with advantage, at once empower
q department or a c0mMi Ssion to design
for the four department buildings a cen
trail power plant, capable of indefinite
progressive construction. and report &c
Congress an estimate of the amount re-
quired TO extend the service to the ex-
listing buildings Of the executive group