Evening star., 1933-05-19
Complete the Public Buildings! !!

In the preparation of plans for the
execution of the public works progam
authorized by the newly enacted ma
tional relief legislation consideration is
being given to the matter of completing
the building projects now under way in
taken to determine the extent of the
operations. 1t Is indicated that all OF
the constructions now actually in prog
ress will be pressed to accomplishment.
That program should be carried fur
ther, to include all of the structures
which have been contemplated for Gov
ernment use at the Capital.
There are now under way buildings
for the Departments Of Labor, Post
Office Justice and Agriculture, the In
terstate Commerce Commission, the Su-
preme Court and the Archives of the
Government. Contracts for those struc-
lures having been entered into, 1t was
determined some months ago that there
should be no interruption of operations.
cluded in the general scheme of con-
struction. There remain to be finally
planned, contracted for and erected per-
manent housings for the Departments
of War and Navy, an addition to the
Library of Congress, Naval Hospital
equipment, the Apex" Building, to
house certain commissions, and the final
connecting units of the structures on
Pennsylvania avenue, to complete the
so-called Triangle group.
The Government of the United States
has never had an entire outfit OF
buildings. 1t has from the beginning
housed its departments and bureaus to
some extent in rented quarters, which
have been inadequate, costly and in
efficient. The general building program,
framed almost in complete detail few
years ago, had for its object the
final establishment of the Government
in it's own quarters, properly designed
and located to insure the highest pos
sible efficiency and the greatest economy
Of administration. The depression has
to some extent interrupted this work.
Now the Government is about to engage
in a program of extensive public works,
primarily to provide employment for
people now idle. The first consider
alton should be given to its own re-
quirements.
The full undertaking of the entire
program of public constructions In
Washington would meet in large degree
the purposes of the new legislation, as
far as providing work for artisans and
material fabricators is concerned. 1t
would prevent further delay in the ulti-
mate provision Of proper housing OF
the Government at its Capital. 1t would
facilitate public business on the basis of
efficiency and economy.
If only those features Of the buildings
program in Washington now under con-
tract are carried on there would remain
urgent requirements which must eventu-
ally be met at greater cost than at
present. The Capital City would re-
main in disarray, with glaring signs of
the interruption of the program in
lamentably conspicuous evidence. There
would be no economy in the postpone
ment, but actually an addition to the
eventual cost.
When this program Of Government
works in Washington as now planned
and contemplated Is finished there will
be no need for major constructions for
many years to come. To postpone the
half dozen constructions that still re-
main to be authorized and undertaken
until later period would be false
economy, just as the delay of more than
twenty years In the undertaking Of the
Triangle project" cost the Government
many millions Of dollars. Let economy
and construction, work provision and
practical business administration go
forward together, now, without any fur
ther procrastination.