Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-09
LAFAYETTE Square.

Having determined definitely upon
a policy of using for future puohc
buildings the lands lying between
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and the Mall,
the Government should now declare
it's intention respecting another area
which has been for some time contem-
plated as the site of other structures,
the blocks surrounding Lafayette
Square. 1t has been understood to be
the purpose to use those spaces for
certain public buildings. the State De-
partment having been tentatively as
signed to the square on the west or
the park, while an extension of the
Treasury Annex has on certain maps
Of prospective developments been
placed on the eastern side. Nothing,
however, has been done toward the
foreclosure of this tentative lien. In
the public buildings bill enacted some
months ago a proviso was inserted
that none of the funds authorized for
appropriation should be used for the
erection of buildings north of Penn
sylvania avenue with the exception OF
a new Government Printing once.
That stipulation insured the concen-
tration of the contemplated new de-
partmental structures within the Mall
Avenue triangle, the complete acquisi-
ton of which has just now been au-
thorized. The proviso, however, is not
in the form of substantive legislation,
governing only the prospective con-
structions specifically authorized In
the adopted program. 1t does not place
a definite limitation upon the Govern
ments policy in other building en-
placements.
A new State Department Building is
urgently required. The present hous-
ing of that important branch of the
Federal administration is wholly in
adequate and unsuitable. 1t is joint
tenant in a three-department building.
It should have it's own home. The
Treasury Department is steadily ex-
banding, and must have more space
near the main building. The present
annex across. the street is filed to
overlooking, and ordinary foresighted-
ness suggests early beginning on the
extension of that annex. Assuredly
there is no justification in any scatter
ing of the quarters.
AS for the northern side of La
fayette Square a different situation
prevails. The two blocks present
distinct problem from those on the
Is occupied by the Veterans Bureau,
a private dwelling and church. The
other holds the home of the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States,
and, until a very few days ago, it
held two dwellings of notable architec-
ture which have been RACED for pri-
vate commercial construction. An APP
peal has been made by the American
Institute Of Architects for some &C.
ton which will prevent the use of
any of the lands thanking the square
for private purposes, or at least for
commercial uses.
Much as the intrusion of CONNER
cial buildings on Lafayette Square is
to be deplored, it is not fair to regard
those spaces as excluded from the en-
terprise of builders Indefinitely. There
should be specific definition of policy
respecting the whole area. If CONNER
cial use is to be permitted and a zon-
ing restriction is to be imposed, it
should be promptly established. If,
on the other hand, the Government is
to control for it's own uses or with
respect to private occupancy and use
quickly as possible be written into
law. The Government itself has ex-
ceeded the building height that is
recognized as most desirable for this
ing, which rises far above the Treas
ury Annex and the Chamber of Com
merce Building, and above the line
which has been tentatively adopted
IOT inc CLdI6 htpdT tulCnS vi TIC west
side of the park.
Although the session is drawing to
a close there Is time for some explicit
action which will either prevent the
intrusion of tall commercial structures
or will permit business constructions,
and such action should be had.
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