The Washington times., 1915-11-26

Attorney General Gregory wants the
Government to make good that Latin
inscription chiscled over the portals or
the Department OF Justice, 'nFiat jusu-
tia, ruat coeIum."
II the Government Il so all-fired de-
ternined to 'let Justice be done. though
the heavens fall" as the promiscuous
use of that motto around the premises
would indicate. Mr.. Gregory believes
that Congress can give substantial
proof OF 1t by making appropriation for
new Department Of Justice building.
He wants Congress to let Justice be
done to the Department Of Justice.
Accordingly the Attorney General in
his report to Congress. which Is now in
the hands Of the printers. reiteratcs tho
request that has been made by all his
predecessors since the time Of the first
Attorney General. that Congress show as
much consideration for tho headquar-
ters Of the legal department as It shows
to the district courts In Kankakee, Ko-
komo. Keokuk, and Kalamazoo by erect
ing for II a suitable building.
The Attorney Generals Plea.
Here are some OF the reasons he Is
prepared to advance:
That the use OF four converted resi-
dences as offices for tho Depa rtment Of
Justice and the consequent housing Of
legal officials In bath rooms. buffers
pantries and servant quarters Ia not
consistent with the air of dignity
the highest judicial branch of the Gov
ernment.
That the group Of buildings now In
use are non-fircprsof. with no pro-
visions for the safety Of judicial records.
and that. for the lack Of fire. proof
vaults. Invaluable records arc stored in
a converted stable.
That judicial records and papers are
not only subject to the peril OF fire.
but that they are the prey of rats that
scamper over the buildings at night.
nibbling legal papers and pardon rec
ords. and destroying evidence.
Only collective sense of humor I'M
usual inthe legal mind saves high ju-
dietary officials OF the Government
from constant embarrassment caused
by the housing conditions forced on
them by an unfc"ling Government.
Occupies Eight Buildings.
The department occupies eight
in all. The main building
Is at 1895 X street. historic as the old
home Of Senator Palmer. and a center
VI sotlNi activity III an carrier 0Ry,
but never intended to be an office
building. There are three other con-
verted dwellings Joined with the old
Palmer home. One is at 1899 X street,
another at 1000 Vermont avenue and
a fourth at 1913 Fifteenth street. The
first three are the main buildings, the
fourth Ia an annex connected with the
main group by a bridge. dubbed the
bridge of sighs." which spans an
alley. In this alley is senator Palm.
ers old stable. but the stalls OF Maud
and Nancy have been torn down and
replaced with heavy Ale cases 10
which the most important legal docug
ments possessed by the Government
are stored. There are three other
buildings In group at numbers 6. s.
ana 10 Jackson place, used by the
claims branch OF the department
Other officers Of the department are
quartered in twenty-four rooms on
the ninth floor OF the Southern build
ing.
a Congressional visitor at the de-
rartment finds the Attorney General
chartered in the parlor OF the house
at 1000 Vermont avenue: Assistant At
torney General Todd. the Government
l'citor General Davis in the front up
stairs bedroom. Assistant Attorney
General Warren, nemesis of the bomu
plotters. has the parlor in the house
at 1899 X street. and Assistant .Attor-
ney General Underwood has the iin-
ing room and kitchen Of the same
house.
Guide Is Needed.