Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-07
The Public Building Program.

There is no occasion for 1mpatience
with the rate at which the Govern
ment's new building plans are being
developed. While several months have
passed since the appropriations for
the new construction in Washington,
to cost s5o,O0O,O00 became available,
and all that has been tangibly accom-
plished is the clearance of a portion
Of the site for one Of the structures,
that which is to house the Internal
Revenue Bureau, there is sound rea-
son for the delay and the time that
has elapsed Is not to be regarded as
wasted. For since the authorizing
legislation was enacted there has de-
veloped new aspect Of the problem
Of emplacement, which must be solved
before actual construction work can
be started.
1t is now the fixed policy Of the
Government to locate all of the struc-
lures contemplated in the new pro-
gram within the Mall-Avenue triangle,
save the Department of Agriculture
and its extensions, which are to go
upon the Mall itself and squares lying
Immediately south of the reservation.
But for a last-minute delay which
blocked all legislation at the close of
the last session of Congress there
would be now definite authority for
the acquisition of the lands within the
triangle not already owned by the
United States. That authority will
assuredly be given at the next ses-
sion.
It is therefore requisite to proceed
carefully in the ALLEGATION of space in
the designing of the structure, to
yield composite Of the greatest effec-
tiveness as well as utility and con-
venience. Advisory bodies are now
studying this problem. A second meet
ing Of commission Of architects will
soon be held, and it will recommend
a plan of treatment, which may con-
form to the proposal of the Commits
sion Of Fine Arts for a virtually con-
tinuous facade along the Pennsyl-
vania avenue frontage of the great
line of structures.
One thing is assured, that the re-
suit, when this program is completed,
will be monumental and satisfactory.
Specific construction work is soon to
be started, in the completion of the
long unfinished Agriculture Building.
Work may likewise soon be begun
upon the Internal Revenue Building.
A site for the Justice Building will be
chosen early, changing 1t from the
original situation at the northwest
corner Of the triangle to site more
easterly, leaving that corner for an
enlargement of the street space, to
effect a parklike frontage Of the more
northerly of the two department build
ings that are to go upon the long
held 'ive-sQuare site"
After so long wait for actual build
ing operations the spending Of few
weeks, or even months, in painstak-
ing studies and preparations is not
to be begrudged. The program Itself
is not in danger Of postponement. This
work is to be for all time. Mistakes
have been made in the past In the
designing and emplacement OF the
public structures in this city, and the
present prayer is that no mistakes
will be made now that definite large
scale project is under way. Accord
ing to any Of the plans now in con-
temptation Washington will be great
ly enriched in appearance and brought
far forward on the way to develop
ment as the greatest of capitals. 1t
is easy to be patient while such a re-
suit is in the making, with actual
operations assured for the very near
| future.