Evening star., 1934-06-30
Strictly Utilitarian.'

In announcing the decision TO allo-
cate $4,000 900 for the construction
Of new building for the Department
Of the Interior on site south Of the
main structure, Secretary Ickes, in
his dual capacity as head OF that de-
partment and of the Public Works
Administration, says that the building
will be a place where public business
may be transacted, with every facility
and modern convenience for workers
He adds: 1t will be a fitting and
appropriate architectural production,
but undue ornateness and magnificent
doo-dads will be eliminated" Fur
thermore, he remarks: "Magnifcence
has Invariably resulted in buildings
poorly planned for public Offices"
Comparison OF some of the earlier
Government structures erected in
Washington for public purposes and
those that have arisen In later years
in development of the great plan OF
consistent scheme of site selection and
building design does not altogether
Justify the implied criticism of the
later additions to the Government S
equipment at the Capital carried by
the Secretarys words. In the design
ing and construction of the more elab-
crate housings that have been placed
in late years on the Mall-Avenue tri-
angle for example, there has been no
sacrifice Of utility and convenience to
architectural attractiveneSS. The more
elaborate designs have included all the
facilities required for the transaction
Of the public business.
Reversion to strictly unitarian
constructions for the accommodation
Of the public business would be u
sad mistake. to be deeply regretted
hereafter. The difference in cost be-
tween a building that conforms TO a
general plan of good designing and
one that affords mere facility and
convenience for the transaction OF
the public business is small-so small
in the present measure of public ex
penditureS as to be negligible.
A little more than nifty years ago
a new building was required for the
housing of the Pension Office, to be
placed in Judiciary Square. Under
an economical urge it was planned
as what would in present day par
lance be termed a strictly utilitarian
construction. 1t was built of red
brick, slightly ornamented, and it
rose to be one of the monstrositles of
of the Capital. whose only virtue, il
was currently declared, was its chief
defect in that it was tireproof. 1t is
now, as it has been for many years,
blemish. Plans, which it is TO be
hoped will soon be carried into effect
have been drawn for its renovation,
with a stone surfacing to correct this
long standing error of judgment on
the part of the authorities of the early
eighties.
While it is stated that the new
Interior Department construction will
be of stone-no more red brick it is
thankfully to be noted-there will BE-
no ease of mind as respects this de-
yelopment until the plans are drawn
and published, lest this newest addi-
ton to the Capitals Government out
fitting be, in line and contour an
other Pension Building of less fiorid
complexion. The worst economy is
that which seeks small savings at the
expense of the architectural harmony
which should be the desire and the
aim of all who contribute, by their
official actions, to the development
of the National Capital.