The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-07
bU|LD|NGUNFT
ITO HOUSE FILES
| Of, WORLD WAR
Structure Not Only in Danger
!; of Flames, But Threatens.
! To Collapse Under Weight
:!!TlNDER BOXES" ADJACENT
Military and Civil Archives of
], Many Years Also Stored in
q
] Non-Fireproof Warehouses

= Markers in the story of civiliza-
Gon, the only authentic testimon-
fAls of Americas part in the
greatest war in history. the re-
cords of four million men of this
nation are housed in a low, nom
Mreproof, temporary war build
Ang, at the corner of Sixth and B
streets, in the city of Washington.
STAND ON WOODEN FLOORS.
Innumerable rows OF files, some
ef steel ana some of wood, standing
m wooden floors in rooms gener-
Ously placarded with fire proven
ton signs, hold the service records
and the histories of every organiza-
ton OF the late conflict.
= The archives of the world war;
hearing witness to Unreasonable
nacrifice by the Npeople of the
United States, are stored in what is
wholly unfit for the pu1pose. Not
only is the structure vulnerable to
IRE, but the superintendent of the
building told Hearst Representatives
who called at his office that the
priceless records have been jeopar-
oized from time to time by storing
700 many Of the heavy flies in the
upper floors.
On more than one occasion, it
was declared; the building has been
In danger OF c0lapsing under the
weight Of the closely stacked files.
OFFICIALS CONCERNED.
That this danger has caused con-
Germ among officials is testified to
BY the fact that the files have been
moved in many Of the rooms to
place the weight above the parti-
tons and pillars. It is now be-
neved that this hazard has been
reduced and that the principal
exposure and theft
4 The structure, although built of
steel, concrete and wood, is sur
founded by other buildings which
haye been characterized as finder
boxes. They are entirely OF wood
and fiber-board construction, and,
according to the fire marshal.
would burn to the ground in
4Drty minutes
Proximity of these buildings to
the non-fireproof structure housing
The war records is looked upon as a
constant menace. A fire in any one
81 the, group inevitably must spread.
TO adjoining buildings.
OTHER RECORDS IN DANGER.
= In addition to the world war ar
eliives, the service records and Of
fcial histories of 5000, 900 men and
their organizations prior to and fol-
lowing the world war are housed in
the adjutant generals branch Of
SIce In the temporary structure.
These include official documents be-
tween that time and the present
= The importance of such records
may he judged by the fact that.
every pension claim, every claim
Tor insurance and every application
Tor re-enlistment in any of the
military forces of the Government
must be referred to the files con-
tanned in this building.
= The condition of the archives has
aroused the national organization Of
The American Legion to demand
that Congress Immediately act to
feduce the danger to the records
Tor two consecutive years, the ma
1ional convention of theiLegion has
I'D opt ed resolutions protesting
against further delay and citing the
Urgency Of the problem.
LEGION PROTESTS.
The following resolution was
passed by the third national conven.
ton of the Legion at Kansas City
IN October, 1921:
= Whereas, the American Legion
is vitality interested in the secur-
ling and preservation Of the ar
.schives Of our National Govern
sment, now
e Be it resolved by the American
sIegion in convention assembled,
THAT the American Legion urges
:sfhe proper legislation for the erec-
stion of a suitable repository for
ELL national archives where they
.nIay be safe from any future DOS
.:sibIiity of fire, vermin, or other
.causes for their destruction.
:. The following resolution was
adopted at the fourth national con-
Nention Of the Legion at New Or
leans in October, 1922:
SECOND RESOLUTION
. Whereas, the situation in regard
70 a national archives building is not
materially changed from last year,
Is no appropriation has been Sc
cured from the Congress for this
purpose, and
Whereas, the danger to valuable
records and documents from fire,
damp and other destructive forces
still remains, therefore, be 1t
:, Resolved, that the American Le-
zion urge Congress to make an APP
EfpDriation for an archiAes building
taI order that the safety of the afore-
mentioned records and documents
may be made secure.
Eben Putnam, historian of the
1gT1on, in a recent letter describes
The attempt of the former soldiers
IN have the Government protect
Tie records of their service. The
letter says:
z.DEMANDS PRESERVATION.
&c The legion has learned the
.precarious condition of the
sYecords, the lack of facilities to
zconsult them, the scattered To-
-,cation, and all the other evils
attached to the whole miserable
4. disregard of the nations finest
acknowledgements than any me-
f.moriaI in marble, bronze, or what
mot.
The legion not only demands
that the records of the last war
be preserved, but taking a broad,
patriotic, unitarian stand, 1t
demands that Congress guard the