Evening star., 1924-05-22
FEDERAL BUILDING
! HELD YEARS BEHIND
Architects Here Declare Need for
Increased Construction Is
Imperative.
IND0RSE PROGRAM OF 1901
Would Have New Agency for Su-
n pervising Work.

Declaring that the federal building
program IS many years behind the
progress authorized by Congress. the
American Institute of Architects at
the second session of the fifty
annual convention of the organization
a the Cprcoran Gallery of Art this
forn'pg EXPRESSED itself as feeling
may the need for increased federal
guiding accommodations had become
Imperative.
resolution was adopted by the in
Slituee urging the creation Of new
stsency or the reorganization by Con-
sress OF the supervising architects
once INTO a body similar to the Pub
nc Buildings CommIssio OF the Dis
.icl OF Columbia and to have within
ne scope of it's activities all build
tn5 euulrements of the federal gov
eminent throughout the country.
IndOrxe Plan OF 1901,
me convention reaffirmed its pre-
nous endorsement of the plan of 1901
for the development of the nark syS.
tem or the District Of Columbia and
in reference to this plan declared: TT
IS essentially an enlarge ment of the
historic plan of 1892. Congress is
autnorizinS the construction of de-
partmental or other buildings in the
bistr1ct provision that the loca-
non and design of all such struc-
rnres shall be in harmony with the
plan of 1901"
The committee on cooperation with
Ihe Commission of Fine Arts, of which
Hdrace W. PeaSlee of Washington is
chairman, submitted report to the
convention strongly recommending"
that the institute appoint a special
committee, with a member from each
or its chapters, so that the weight
and interest of each chapter as con-
stituents of certain representatives,
in Congress can be directed toward
the accomplishment of specific legis-
lation for Washington"
Delay in Congress.
congressional authorization for plan
ming and for urgently needed ap-
preparations has been repeatedly de-
feated for lack OF such definite sup
port, with the result that picturesque
residential sections have been devaS-
tated by the lack of adequate plan
ming and needed park sites eliminated
by AK, dump cart and steam shovel
before the appropriations could be
obtained
Another resolution adopted declared
that all public architecture of the
United States should reflect the high
est standards achieved in private and
corporate work, and that this end
may be attained with the lessenins of
work on the government bureau and
the arousing of more local interest by
a provision in appropriation bills for
the employment of architects in pri-
vate practice.
The result of such steps in the past
was pointed out by the institute in
the creation of such works as the
Lincoln Memorial. Freer Art Gallery,
National Museum and Treasury an
mex and other notable national and
state buildings.
Other matters taken up by the con-
vention included various reports of
interest to the organization and an
illustrated lecture on the work OF tn the
reau. The lecture was given by Rob
ert T. Jones.
Following luncheon It the WASH
ington the architects reconvened and
took up further business.
Urges Protection Of Recsr srds.
The recent passage of the soldiers
bonus bill was held by Col. g -. Sner-
rill. officer in charge of public build
ings and grounds, as another exam
nile of the immediate and urgent neeo
Of proper facilities for the housing OF
government documents and RECORDS IN
an address before the institute last
night, in which he depiored the hous-
ing of federal activities in non-tire-
proof and temporary buildings.
"Practically all the departments OF
the government in washington are
tremendously handicapped in the EN-
cient carrying out of their appropri-
ate functions by the crowded condl-
lions of their offices and the widely
scattered locations in which they nave
10 operate declared Col Sheriff..
The ever-present danger of nre In
these temporary and rented buildings
was stressed by the speaker. who de-
cIared that in spite Of the elaborate
precautions taken to prevent con,
1agration if once started a fire would
probably cause serious loss 10 the
government.
Col. Sheriff. declared the Depart
ment of Agriculture to be the worst
housed of all the government depart
ments, stating that the department
was scattered about in forty-hve
buildings. twenty eight of which were
rented and seventeen of which were
government owned. Other depart
nents which are in need of proper
housing facilities are the bureau or
internal revenue. the general ac-
ronnting office, the general supply
committee and the Department OF
Jnstice. he declared. Col. Sheriff. also
strongly advocated an archives build
ing for storage of government papers;
The institute unanimously approved
the Public Buildings Commission
$4,000 plan and stressed the con-
tinuance of the Identification OF
Washington.