Evening star., 1928-03-24
Progress in Public Building.

After a long period of preparation
actual work in construction. it is now
expected. Will begin next week on the
group OF new buildings that are planned
for Government housing in this city.
Excavations have been in progress for
some time past at three sites two in
the Mall-Avenue triangle and one in
the Mall itself, and now the stage of
erection has been reached in one in
stance. that Of the Department Of
Agriculture. That building will COM
plete the operation begun some years
ago when two wings were erected flank
ing the old red building that for so
7nany years housed the department and
was finally overfiowed by its increasing
activities. This Joining unit will not,
however. be the only new element in
the Department of Agriculture's perma-
nsnt equipment as supplementary
building is TO be erected south of B
street to house the various bureaus that
cannot find space IN even the enlarged
main building.
With the evacuation of the tempo
rary building on the site of the new
Commerce Department by the transfer
TO other quarters of the income tax
Unit occupying it, the work of clearing
that site is now under way and doubt
less in q few weeks construction work
xin likewise begin on that great edifice
su-A&rN &- he
viii be the largest single Office struc-
tare of ali Of the Governments plants.
Likewise, IN a little while, depending
somewhat on progress made in con-
6emnations. the site for the Internal
Revenue building Will be ready for con-
strac;ion operations. BY the first of
June. perhaps a month later. actual
erection work should be in progress on
al three OF the structures comprising
ahe first instaliment on the Govern
naent's great building program at the
Capital
Txo other structures, the Archives
Building and the new home for the
Department OF Justice. are in contcm-
plation for early addition to the Mall
Avenue triangle group. Congress has
granted authorization for the acquisi-
f5on Of ali OF the remaining Mall
Avenue area not now in Government
ownership and appropriations TO carry
Kh3S mandate into effect are TO be made
from time 10 time as the program de-
seiops Il Is highly desirable that there
should be 10 halt in the proceedings.
but that the work OF Transforming the
triangle into a public buildings cite
should progress speedily and steadily.
The present occupants OF that property
should have the fullest opportunity TO
locate themselves elsewhere and the
earliest possible action should be had TO
clear The sites, The removal Of large
number Of private establishments from
tl1e triangle 70 other situations will in
woIye heavy dislocation OF business in
Washington, and il is due to the local
community that this process be effected
without undue delay.
Il is always TO be borne In mind in
taiS connection that the District gog-
eminent is virtually under notice 70 quit
sts present headquarters building and no
time should be lost In making the necex-
EzTy provisions for this establishment
elsewhere. The plan for municipal
center on the area bounded by PennsyI-
ysnlav Indiana and Louisiana avenues
and Third and seYenth streets should be
ronsumnlatec by the necessary author
szing legislation a. this present session.