Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-11

\, D. c., TUESDAY
should seek to assist in maintaining and
giving the impulse Of progress to COM
merce and industry in Nation whose
successful economic life underlies ad-
vancement in every other field"
Secretary Lamont referred to the
great changes that have taken place
since the department was organized in
1903.
Urges Sound Business.
"Our population has increased so per
cent" he said. Manufactures have in
creased more than 400 per cent. Elec-
tricity, as measured in kilowatt hours,
has increased more than 5000 per cent;
telephones from 100000 to 100000.
In 1903 there was one automobile to
every $500 persons. Now there Is one
to every five. Our commerce Is thus
conducted on a vastly greater scale. 1t
can no longer go forward in haphazard.
guesswork fashion. To survive bust
ness must be on an economically sound
basis. 1t must proceed on knowledge
of exact facts"
Senator Smoot referred particularly
to the work of Mr.. Hoover as Secretary
of Commerce in building up the de-
partment to its present position.
ITO Herbert Hoover the Department
Of Commerce owes an incalculable debt
of gratitude" said Senator Smoot, for
his organizing genius, his mastery ad-
ministrative skill, his creative imagina-
ton and amazing energy, his crystal
clear comprehension of the depart
ment's needs and possibilities in rela-
ton to our national life. The Depart
ment of Commerce as 1t stands today
Is in the fullest sense q monument to
him, and in its new incarnation on this
spot it will continue to be SO increas-
ingly."
Touching upon the subject Of modern
business, Senator Smoot said, ut Is
moving definitely away from an exclu-
sive preoccupation with selfish prof1t.
Pays Homage to Hoover.
profit, to be sure" he added, 'is
utterly essential If our commercial
structure is to remain sound, and 1t Is
profit which supplies the most COM
polling impetus to enterprise. But we
have learned in recent years, think,
how inadvisable it is to direct our en-
tire attention to that phase.
"Business has been developing a
vastly broader outlook-an acute aware
ness of the common good, a keen and
ardent willingness to serve it. In our
commercial community we see on every
hand a generous public mindedness.'
1--WE take delight in the knowledge
that this building is to be but one OF
many here in Washington-aH as I'M
pressive and appropriate as this; al
serving as a concrete, tangible emDodl.
ment of the greatness OF our Natlon;
Representative Elliott referred to this
as a "red letter day in Washington"
I'VE are laying the corner stone,
he said, "of the worlds greatest office
building, which is to house the thou
sands Of employees Of the Department
of Commerce, one Of the newest and
vet one of the greatest executive de-
partments of our Government. Under
the guidance of that master genius,
President Hoover, who was for many
years head of the department, Its I'M
portance grew by leaps and bounds
until its activities reach into all paris
of the world, aiding our citizens 10
carry on their commercial operations,
great and small, with every ciVilizeo
nation"
A Great Building.
Mr.. Elliot said that the public build
ing act. of which he was co-author In
1926. has been amended and supple
mented until today the total amount
authorized for the National Capital Is
$115,O00,0 900, and for the Nation al
large, about SEAS, 900 900, to be expend-
ed at the rate of $35,000,ooO annually.
cit is probably the most stupendous
building program ever adopted by TINS
or any other government" he added.
at is UNIQUE in this; that it Is the first
time in history that our Government
ever adopted a definite and business
like program for the handling OF the
of its great public build
ings."
Mr.. Cortelyou spoke briefly Of the
of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor, Of which he was
the first secretary, and out OF which
grew the present separate Departments
Of Commerce and Labor. The Com
merce Department has had many dis
tinguished Secretaries, he said.
continued, "of having given to the
country President"
The spirit of the departments person.
mel has been of the highest, Mr.. Cortel-
you said, and has carried it ito the
front rank OF the executive departments
of the Government and has made 1t OF
invaluable service to the people"
The new building for the Depart
ment of Commerce as planned will be
one Of the great office buildings OF the
world. It will occupy three complete
city squares. It's length, 1850 feet ex-
ceeds that of the United States Capital
by 800 feet, though its breadth, 1926 feet.
is IS feet less. 1t is also longer than
the British House of Parliament by ITO
feet, though not as wide. The land area
occupied is about 345,0 900 square feet,
nearly eight acres. The building will
rise seven stories. Construction under
ground will include a complete base
ment for general use. with a sub-base-
ment for the heating and lower plant.
The setting for the building Is one Of
natural beauty. With its southwest
corner at Fifteenth and B streets north
west, 1t looks southwark over the
grounds of the Washington Monument
and westward over the park lying south
Of the White House. The view north
ward will be over e street and triangu-
lar park toward Pennsylvania avenue.