Evening star., 1918-08-15
TEMPORARY. but
uKEL|Y:.TlOs |. STAY
Long Life for Mall and Park
! Buildings Predicted by
Arts Commission.
SITE FOR BOTANIC GARDEN

AlIlOuBH SOHSTCSo SpCSAhSeAy fAS
vided that the War and Navy build
Fipgs In West Potomac Park and other
government buildings in the Mall be-
tween Al and 18th street should be
Temporary" in character, the Nation
al Commission on Fine rts has ex-
pressed its official opinion that they
will remain where they are until no
longer fit for occupancy.
The buildings in West Potomac Park
are constructed of reinforced con-
crete. The others are frame struc-
lures covered with stucco.
The views of the art commission on
the subject are set forth briefly In Its
annual report to the President. just
made public.
Semi-Permanency Instanced.
1.-THE large occupation Of park
space" says the commission. comes
at time that ordinarily would call
of Washington instead of a marked
diminution of it. The buildings, while
spoken of as temporary. may remain
and continue to be occupied long after
the war ends.
in Paris about 1870 have continued to
be occupied for nearly half a century.
The old National Museum building Is
used as extensively as ever II was, In
spite of the erection of a building
designed to take its place. The for
mer building of the bureau of engrav-
ing and printing. which Congress be-
lieved to be detrimental to the health
Of the people housed therein, Is still
occupied and probably will be. SO long
as it holds together.
1T is not likely, therefore. that the
buildings which now occupy the Mali
and Potomac Park will disappear
unless they shall prove to be SO poor
ly constructed as absolutely to pre-
vent their continued occupancy: or
unless Congress shall take drastic
measures for their removal on the
diminution Of war activities.
TT will be impossible to dispense
with the temporary buildings unless
Congress shall see flt to adopt and
adhere to a policy of purchasing land
and erecting such office buildings as
will be needed even in times of peace,
Mall Plan Regarded.
'The temporary buildings covering
the area between 9Th and 7th streets,
B street north and B streets south.
were SO designed as to decrease the
fire risk and promote the efficiency OF
operation by carrying certain roads
and by placing the low-power build
.ings about midway of the area. For
tunately, it could be SO arranged that
these roads correspond with the
roads laid down in the plan for the
development of the Mall. and the
lowness of the power buildings serves
TO mark the central axis of the Mall,
so that when these buildings shall
disappear they will leave outlined thei
proper development of the spaces
which they now occupy.
For the purpose of preparing basic
plans M, II the ads ssveloPmens ss'c Sc
buildings and grounds has made a
Geographical survey Of the entire
Mall from the foot Of Capitol Hill to
] TIA street vast Grading plans and
East and for wss ss satoa ast9n paes ans
Henry Park have been approved by
the commission. When these plans
shall have been completed the loca-
ton OF future buildings and the
pla nting of the entire area can pro-
coed: and as opportunity offers grad
ing can be done and roads establish
ed. II this way the Mall scheme can
be carried on from year to year to
completion"
Commission Congratulates Congress
It is regarded by the commission as
fortunate that Congress has taken
measures to prepare general build
before it the comprehensive report of
the Public Building Commission "as
guide to. future operations" An alb
stract Of that report has been pub
lished in The Star.
The completion Of the Municipal
Fish Market. the commission says.
may be regarded. as the first step in