Evening star., 1936-07-07
ARCHITECT OFFICE,
TURN|NGCENTURY,
LAUDEDFORW WORK
$224,0 100000 Program Is
So Per Cent Complete
After 2H2 Years.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF UNITS
HAILED BY MORGENTHAU
Centennial Dinner Is Marked by
Review Of History-Relief
Guiding Motive

|
Climaxing 100 years Of service, the
Once Of Supervising Architect within
the past two and a half years, under
its new name Of Public Buildings
Branch, Procurement Division, Treas
ury Department, has completed or
placed under contract 96 per cent of
o 1924 ,000, 900 program. and still has
$50, 100000 more in appropriations "on
the books"
This was emphasized at the centen.
NAL dinner Of the Office at the WASH
ington Hotel last night where several
speakers reviewed the history Of the
ONCE, and told of much work to be
done in the future. Secretary Of the
Treasury Morgenthau sent to the
organization letter Of praise.
Work Is Praised.
Explaining that In its "long and
honored career" the Supervising
Architects Once has been charged
with the grave responsibility Of pro-
viding g. physical expression. In en-
during materials, of the forces and
functions of the Government" Nor
genthau declared:
Our most important and stirring
links with the past are the buildings
Of ancient time which stand for our
contemplation. One of our greatest
contributions to the future must be
the buildings which We erect now for
the eyes of coming generations.
Il cannot but feel. therefore," he
said, that through the cycle Of years,
the Supervising Architects Office has
performed an impressive public service
IN erecting structures which. now, and
in the future, will be visible symbols
OF that intangible thing, the Govern
ment of the United States"
Pays Tribute to Workers.
The letter was addressed to Rear
Admiral c. j. Peoples, director of
procurement. In o speech, Admiral
Peoples declared the keynote, and
guiding motive" behind the present
public buildings program was the "re-
lief Of unemployment" He paid high
tribute to the personnel of the Pro-
curement Division for their co-ordina-
tion Of all units towards this end.
This administration is going down
in history" he declared, "as one which
has brought about a revolution In Fed
eral architecture. You are building
something that for generations to come
will be typical of its kind, individual,
dignif1ed, without extravaganza or
recommendation"
Reviewing the status of the public
buildings program throughout the
country, Admiral Peoples said up to
last Friday night, 349 structures had
been completed, $40 more are under
contract. with some being completed
now from day to day. and 1875 more
are In immediate process Of being
placed under construction.
THE Office has a long, fine record
Of achievement" declared the director.
"of high ideals, of duty we'll per-
formed; its personnel of the highest
standard and its accomplishments
such that each and all connected with
it can we'll be proud. Garry on the
good work"
Cites Greater Insight.
Louis A. Simon, supervising archi-
tect, declared to-day the architectural
work of the Treasury Department
shows a renewal of the greater insight
and the larger view of the early days
Of its construction activities.
I'm an institution as far reaching
in its works and its influence as the
United States Government" said Mr..
Simon. "it is perhaps not unnatural
that issues arise and episodes occur
which lead some Of our citizens to in
dulge in gibes and badinage at the in
ways Of a republic. But no
thinking man can live in Washington
without feeling underneath the super
ficial appearances of things, and deep
down in his heart, the steady throb of
the mighty force of his Government,
sweeping on its course, undisturbed by
and counter currents.
Ours Is the responsibility to uphold
the best traditions of a service that has
been placed in our keeping"
Tracing the development of the Su-
pervising Architects Office from Rob-
ert Mills. the first Federal architect, to
the present time, Neal A. Melick, super.
vising engineer, declared the number
Of buildings now under supervision of
the director Of procurement through
out the country had increased to ap-.
1900, and the outlook Is,
he added, that there will be 5000 in
1888. Melick paid tribute to the sup
port Of the field organization which
has supervised the construction of pub
Lie buildings throughout the country.
w. E. Reynolds, assistant director
Of procurement, praised the Public
Buildings Branch as q most efficient
organization" and paid high tribute to
the character and ability Of its per-
sonnel
James A. Wetmore, formerly acting
architect for many years,
in a letter from his home in Florida,
read by Fred Trott, sent to the gather
ing his regards, with the wish that the
Public Buildings Branch continue to
be credit to itself and honor to the
Treasury Department, of which it has
been so long q part
. "Old Because It's Good"
. e. B. Morris, chairman Of the COM
mittee in charge Of arrangements and
toastmaster Of the evening, declared of
the office, eft isn't good because it's
old; It's old because it's good"
Among many prominent persons
from the early days Of the organization
were A. A. Packard, for
merry supervising superintendent Of
construction; Frank 4. .Birgfeld, for.
mer chief of tbs accounts division. now
chief clerk Of the Treasury Depart