Evening star., 1925-12-06
Assistance From Architects.

tdlliiiiIS LOT lhe new House once
Building brought into existence a new
organization ir Washington to CO
operate in the erection of monumental
Government buildings. This is known
as THE Allied Architects of Wash
ington, ID. G., Incorporated" and IL
includes the majority of the estab-
hShed Washington architects. all Of
whom are members Of the American
institute Of Architects. 1t has co
operated with the architect of the
Capitol and with the House Once
Building Commission. The special
feature of the corporate service is the
consultation and collaboration and
compilation of schemes among men of
the highest caliber and widest expert.
ence. The arrangement makes it
possible for the younger men of
marked ability in design to obtain for
their ideas full consideration by the
safeguard which comes from the
supervision or support of men long
in practice.
Under the leadership of the secre-
tary-treasurer Of the Allied Architects,
an effort is being made to have the
site between b and streets, South
Capitol and Delaware avenue taken
for the new House Office Building.
because this would eventually leave
the other land between r and C
streets. South Capitol and New Jersey
avenue for an open parkway space
from the Capitol toward the river. in
conformity with the plans which
were prepared for the late Architect
Woods.
In no case is II proposed to close
South Capitol street. which will be
kept open in any event. because of its
bea autiful vista to the Potomac
The argument advanced against the
site west of South Capitol street is
that the members of the House do not
want their offices any further away
than necessary. The committee rooms
will all be in the present Office building
and they want to be as close as pos
sible.
The House Office Building commits
sion will meet soon to consider the re-
port of Architect Lynn. Representa-
tive Dickinson of Iowa, chairman of
the legislative subcommittee of the
House appropriations committee, is
also greatly interested in this proposed
building. 1t is probable that the
House will act soon.
There is no question that consider
able additional room is needed and
that it is practically impossible for a
member to transact his duties in one
small office room. Some of the mem.
bers feel a little squeamish, just after
having voted in the last Congress to
raise their own pay, fearing that If
| they now vote themselves additional
office space they may be subject to
some criticism. However. they found
| that there was no kicking by their
constituents over the salary increase
I and it is only good business for the
! House now to provide the needed
| Office space.
The new building will provide for
265 two-room office suites. The exte
rior will conform to the architecture
OF the Capitol, the present House and
! Senate office buildings and other build
| ings in the group controlled exclu
s1Vely by Congress. The interior Will
| be OF commercial Office building con
struction instead of the high ceilings
and wide corridors which have re
| suited in so great a loss of space ir
the old Office building. On one Of the
( proposed sites the cost for land ane
building is estimated at $1,000, 900 ant
on the other $4,000, 900.
Botanic Garden Plans.
One of the biggest features Of the
contemplated parkway from the Unior
Station, past the Capitol Building te
the Potomac River, is the relocation o,
| the Botanic Garden in this area, be
tween the Washington Channel ano
| the Anacostla River, between the
Washington Navy Yard and the Army
War College, and the building up Of
this garden. For many years there
has been a determined effort to re
move the Botanic Garden from its
present site on Pennsylvania avenue
| to the west Of the Capitol. In order
! that the parkway plans of the Fine
Arts Commission might be carried out
! Lieut. Col. Clarence o. Sheriff., en-
ginse1 ofRnsAI- 3trnesn1 pG N omao q,