Evening star., 1937-01-08

ing the entire structure. This old
Munitions Building, and its twin. the
Navy Building, also In the Mall, along
Constitution avenue, are destined
eventually to be torn down. but such
destruction apparently will await
several future developments, such as
completion Of the new War Depart
ment, and other quarters for the Navy
Department. A program for the new
Navy Department has not yet been
recommended to Congress, although
the site tentatively has been picked
along the Potomac River, adjacent to
the Naval Hospital.
Swanson Wants New Ships.
Secretary Of the Navy Swanson has
insisted on new ships instead Of . new
building. and this policy is reflected
in the budget. which provides for q
continuing program Of warship con.
struction.
The Government owns only q part
OF the new War Department site. 1t
has purchased two large apartments.
the Potomac Park Apartments, at the
corner Of Twenty-first and C streets,
and the Mayfair Apartments, nearby
at 2l15 c street. and a garage. Title
10 the Mayfair has just passed to the
Government from the owner at price
Of $195. 900. All tenants are out, and
the Mayfair Is to be remodeled to
house the Headquarters Company of
the Army. now housed in q temporary
wartime building along Constitution
avenue, between Eighteenth and Nine.
teenth streets. Eventually the War
Department. it Is understood. will erect
a permanent home for the Headquar-
ters Company on q site bounded by
E and F. Twenty-fourth and Twenty
fifth streets No funds for this are
available yet
Requires Buying Two Apartments.
The Government owns q large ga
rage in the War Department area, in
addition to the two apartments, but lit
tie else. Among the large pieces Of
property to be purchased will be the
Riverside Apartment. 2145 c street.
and Boulevard Apartments, 2l2l New
York avenue.
Because acquisition Of property is
slow, even with the new condemnation
law In the District Of Columbia, which
gives the Government the right of
quick taking, 1t will probably be many
months before the site can all be ac-
quired. Some idea Of the progress ex-
pected Is shown in the budget esti-
mates. which set aside $4.670, 600 for
site. out of the total Of ST, ,000, 900 total
limit Of cost for the new War Depart
ment. In other words. the entire next
fiscal year probably will be occupied
largely in the purchase Of lands and
the completion Of plans for the build
ing. In the site also are some business
property and many residences.
May Be Largest Building.
The recommendation Of the Presi-
dent, however, launches the huge prof.
ect, which eventually may result in
one Of the largest new public build
ings in the city. The huge Department
of Commerce, which forms the western
end Of the big Federal Triangle in
downtown Washington, cost about
1000, 900. while the new Interior De-
partment Is estimated variously be-
tween s11 ,0o0, 900 and $4,000. 900.
No item is included in the budget
for going ahead with the new Apex
Building, at the eastern tip Of the Fed
eral Triangle, Is complete funds for
that project previously had been ap-
propriated and are now available. Ex-
cavation for the Apex Building Is now
well under way on the site between
Constitution and Pennsylvania ave-
nues, Sixth and Seventh streets.
The item for the War Department
was sent to Congress in the Treasury
Department estimates, which indicate
the land will be purchased and the
building erected under supervision Of
the Treasury Procurement Division,
Public Buildings Branch.