Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-12
Annual Figure $1,231 SO,
Buildings Commission
Reveals.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
DECLARED FIRE TRAPS
Health, Economy and Beauty Are
Arguments for Program
Extension.

Justifying the Governments great
public building program in Washing
ton from an economic point Of view,
the Public Buildings Commission in It's
annual report, just submitted to Presi-
dent Hoover, shows that the rent bill
for the Government in this city dur
ing the year totaled 1921 ,32l.93. The
payroll loss in six Government activi-
ties where personnel was dismissed
from temporary buildings on account
of Summer heat" ran up to more than
a quarter Of a million dollars, the re-
port said
The commission characterized the
fire hazard as very real danger TO
old temporary wartime buildings. Loss
to the Government in the destruction
by fire of temporary building No. was
computed by the commission, tncludnlg
replacement cost, at $144,67917. The
cost of moving to other quarters was
s6.635.09, while the cost of preparing
new quarters was palced at SIS, 846 10.
The Government activities affected IN
cluded the Federal Trade Commission,
the Children's Bureau and the Womens
Bureau.
The commission also pointed to two
of the new buildings here, with an es-
innate that the total yearly rental value
of the new Internal Revenue Building
would be 1891 ,3l4.65. while the great
Department Of Commerce Building, to
be occupied this Fall had total yearly
rental value of 1921, 665.50.
Savings Would Be Large.
Computing various factors. such as
amortization of the cost, interest on in
yestment. taxes lost on land, income
tax lost and other things, the commits
sion figures that the savings to the Gov
eminent each year on the Internal
Revenue Building would be $346, 1856. or
in 40 years a total of $13, 49,, 442. SINH
lar savings on the Department OF Com
merce. it is figured, would be $543,632
a year or a total savings in 40 years OF
$21, 748,318
Tracing the history of the public
buildings program in Washington and
giving a mass of data on each project
in turn, the commission in a summary
of the situation declared:
Briefly characterized, the program
involves a basic step forward in the
Governments administrative economy.
Around this imperative fact expert
thought and study have evolved de-
sign which combine the most up-to-date
facilities and devices to provide for the
unitarian needs of efficient administra-
ton, and reasonable possibilities for
future expansion, with general artistic
treatment of such merit as to give as
surance that the new group OF building
now under way will be one OF the great
est and most impressive compositions OF
the kind ever undertaken.
THE advantage of such unified de-
sign is not alone to be found in the
architectural effects obtainable, but its
unitarian value is indicated by the fact
that despite two great plazas, ample
through streets, and adequate interior
courts. more floor space Is said to be
obtainable than would have been pos
sible in individual buildings separately
designed to fit the original street system
and the old private property lines.
Healthy Conditions and Beauty.
"The completed building conception
of the present and future is to obtain
healthy working conditions and orderly
growth and beauty as an integral part
of the entire scheme. Collectively, the
buildings should express the dominant
emotions Of the whole Nation. That
environment which satisfies mans in
herent love of beauty engenderS civic
spirit and national pride, and becomes
a necessary means Of lending dignity TO
democracy"
Discussing the economic Justification
for the building program, the commits
sion pointed out that Government per-
sonnet In many buildings "are suffering
from unbearable heat in Summer.
drafts, and poor ventilation, and from
lack of natural light as we'll as from
congestion and other insanitary condi-
lions. This fact in itself presents an
adequate and pressing economic reason"
said the report, for supplying those
who transact the Nations business with
good and adequate buildings as rapidly
as appropriations can be made available.
IF no other reason were assigned to
Justify the public buildings program,
the increased efficiency and money
saved by having interrelated Govern
ment units under one roof would be
sufficient.
Temporary Buildings Expensive.
1.-THE amount expended during the
past year for rent" the commission
pointed out, was $1,231,32 80 Indirect
cost to the Government through con-
tinued occupancy of temporary and old
buildings, and consequent decrease of
efficiency Of personnel must also be
considered as a reason in dollars and
cents for continued efforts to develop
the building program. The cost Of up
keep of temporary buildings In 1880
was $55,8l7.94. Other years it has been
greater Expensive reconstruction Of
the Mall group will be necessary inside
a couple of years. If these buildings have
to be continued in use"
Although the emphasis Of a public
building program" the commission said,
appears to center on erecting buildings
to meet the economic needs OF depart
ment and independent establishments,
nevertheless there are other factors
which also justify the building program.
The impression Of we'll ordered and
properly designed Government buildings
insures popular respect for the Govern
ment. A great Government can and
should set an example of good taste and
intelligent planning to private de-