Evening star., 1927-05-29

ice building has been without a site
since its original location on the
square bounded by Fourteenth,
Fifteenth, E streets and Pennsyl-
vania avenue was withdrawn. This
site was selected some years ago,
when the Government purchased the
land and before the advance of the
automobile brought up the traffic
problem. Fifteenth street and Penn
sylvania avenue has developed into
one Of the intersections carrying a
very heavy volume of traffic, par
ticularly during the morning and eve
ming periods when the Government
workers are on their way to and
from work.
Traffic Situation Studied.
This matter has been given very
lengthy and serious consideration by
the Public Buildings Commission, the
Office Of the Supervising Architect Of
the Treasury and the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission 1t
has been pointed out by officials of
these commissions that when the Gov
ernment buildings are concentrated in
the proposed avenue triangle, this
area will furnish a very difficult
traffic situation, and it's solution would
have to be reached by leaving a wider
space at that corner for handling
traffic.
The proposed Department of Com.
merce Building is to be located just
south of the originally proposed site
for the Department of Justice Build
ing, and the proposal was made and
finally accepted that the Department
of Justice should give way and per-
NIT an extension of the Commerce
Building across T. street into this
square, at the same time providing
an underpass through the building at
d street. AS the extension of the
Department of Commerce Building
would not run entirely through the
square intended for the Department
of Justice Building, it will leave con-
siderable space to be used by the
planners in solving the problem of
handling the very heavy traffic ex-
pected at this point when all of the
Federal Government employees are
concentrated in the avenue triangle
area.
Seek $10,O00,O00 Endowment.
Only a tentative exterior design
has been made for the proposed Ma
1AoiloA ld0CAiI1 anu 1iiudotly ,
it was said, and those back of the
project are said now to be engaged in
raising a S10,00O,0O0 endowment fund
for the erection of the building and
its maintenance.
The commission took u short time
to approve the design for flying
cross proposed by the Army Quar-
termaster Corps. 1t is 10 be struck
in the form of a medal to be awarded
flyers who distinguish themselves. 1t
was said that the Army Is particu.
larly anxious to rush >Work on this
medal in order that the first one may
be awarded to Capt. Charles Lind.
bergh.
The commission considered for some
time the proposed plans for the bridge
over Rock Creek in the line of NJ
street to replace the present anti.
quated structure, but further studies
will be made. The bridge was de.
signed in the engineering department
of the District of Columbia, and while
it may be correct struturally, Mr.
Moore said it was the desire of the
| commission to have it better conform
to the surroundings in which it will
be located. He pointed out that the
| structure would be over Rock Creek
and Potomac parkway, now being
opened to the public, and it was de-
sirable to get bridge with good pro
portions to fit the location.
The design for the new center por
| tion of the Department of Agricu,
| ture Building, which is to replace the
| present brick structure, now entirely
detached from the two wings, was ap
| proved. 1t also approved plans fol-
the Department of Agriculture Build
| ing to be located on the south side ol
B street southwest. These building:
will he equipped with bridges to con
meet them with the main building, a.
| it is the purpose to keep B stree
southwest open for traffic.
The commission also considered de
signs for the proposed Gordon Junior
| High School on Wisconsin avenue
between Thirty-fourth and Thirty
fifth streets. Mr.. Moore said that th'
commission was not entirely satisfied
with the plans submitted by the Dis
trict, and would examine the site
| which he said was in a valley. requir
ing a very difficult kind of construc
ton. He said that further studie
would have to be made Of this matte
before any action is taken.