Evening star., 1925-10-06

several of the larger bureaus are
scattered In many buildings in diff
ferent parts Of the city. The picture
of the housing conditions in the De-
partment of Agriculture shown on
this chart discloses a situation abso-
lutely indefensible from the point Of
view of efficient business administra-
ton.
Referring back to the statement
that the valuable records Of the de-
partment are exposed to extreme fire
hazard in many buildings. 1t may be
fairly stated that of all the buildings
used In whole or I'm part by the De
partment as in alD only the follow
ing can he considered as of modern.
So-called fireproof construction. owned
by the Government: The east wing
and the west wing. rented. 1853 r
street southwest, occupied by Agri-
cultural Economics; eco Fourteenth
street southwest, extension service,
Bureau Of Plant Industry: 2l6 Thir-
teenth street southwest. Bureau of
Chemistry: Willard Building, Bureau
of Public Roads: 220 Linworth place
southwest. Publications: 22l Linworth
place southwest. principally cotton
work: 1850 Is street southwest. Ami
NAL Industry. Only 9 out of As build
ings are Of modern. fireproof construc-
ton.
Some "Slow Burning"
OF all the SO others, the best that
can be said i- that their brick and
timber construction may class some
of them as "slow burning" while
even this much cannot be said OF
such as Temporary Buildings F and c.
the inflamable character Of which has
been touched on in previous articles
in this series and needs no elabora-
ton. If the sprinkler systems in
stalled in Buildings F and G operate
promptly in case Of fire the buildings
may not become a total loss, but the
amount Of damage to Government
property which probably would re-
suit from the water poured out can
hardly be estimated. The best that
can be said for the retention and
"outlawed" use Of these buildings is
that. at the risk Of human life and
great property loss, the Government
has saved some money.
The three principal safeguards EN-:
ployed-sprinkler system. constant
patrolling Of the buildings and fire
drills of employes-are well designed
to prevent loss OF life: but in case Of
an extensive fire nothing can prevent
damage to property by fire or water
or both.
Rapid Growth OF Work.
Referring to the statement earlier
in this article that no building has
been undertaken by the Government
for the Department Of Agriculture for
nearly 18 years, it must be empha
sized that the rapid growth of the
department during that peirod has
made necessary not only the occupa
ton of additional buildings. but of
constant crowding In practically all
buildings.
Many units are in need Of addi
tional space to relieve these over
crowded conditions, which not only
reduce the efficiency of operation
but involve risk to the health Of en-
ployes. Overcrowding Is especially
serious in the following: Agricul-
tural Economics, Bleber Building and
others: Plant Industry, west wing
(entire); Division Of Account least
wing), Department Library, 1858 B
street southwest; Bureau Of Entomol-
ogy, Entomology Building; Insecticide
and Fungicide Board, 220 Thirteenth
street southwest.
In buildings where overcrowdtng
Is not so serious. it can be accurately
said that there is no room for growth.
Overcrowding has forced the use Of
far too much basement space for
housing employees under conditions Of
poor light and imperfect ventilation
which should not be imposed upon