Evening star., 1940-02-11

Bureau to recommend to Congress
that $35O,0OO of an unexpended
balance of a $500,000 appropriation
be reappropriated to begin construc-
ton of the first unit of the new
Central Library. The Commission
ers also requested authorization to
enter into contracts for construction
of the first unit, the total cost OF
which was not to exceed 81 ZOO 900,
including improvement of grounds.
furnishing and equipment. They
pointed out that the present Library
building at Seventh and K streets
NV. has long since proved to be
definitely inadequate for public
service or for administration of the
library system" 1t is neither con-
venient nor is it accessible to park
ing facilities, it was pointed out, and
it is physically inadequate to handle
present numbers of readers.
Congress, on July IS. 1899, gave
final approval to a District appro-
priation bill which made available
$3.50 900 to complete plans and start
work on the first unit of the library
building, placing the limit of cost at
$1,118,000 and designating as the
site the square bounded by Penn
sylvania avenue, c street, John
Marshall place and Sixth street NV.
There was prior appropriation Of
$6O, 900 for drawing plans, to which
10000 was added from the new
appropriation.
Few buildings have been planned
with more care than the new library.
Months of consideration were given
by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and the Com
mission Of Fine Arts to plans drawn
in the Office of the municipal archi-
tect. Nathan C. Wyeth, in co-opera-
tion with DR.. George F. Bowerman,
librarian. Many designs and models
were prepared for study. Special
consideration has been given to the
matter of the Pennsylvania avenue
facade. which will face the Mall
Triangle. 1t is to be the closest
neighbor of the new Apex Building
and the magnificent National CAL
lery of Art. gift of Andrew Mellon,
which now is nearing completion
directly south of the library site.
Architecturally, the library build
ing must be in harmony with these
imposing Federal buildings and must
serve as the connecting link between
the Mall Triangle group and the
new Municipal Center.
Design Is Approved.
A final design for the building was
approved by the Fine Arts Commits
sion last July 20. Earlier approval
had been given by the Planning
Commission and the way finally was
cleared for the preparation of de-
tailed plans and specifications as a
basis for the inviting of bids. Con-
struction of this most important
initial unit Of the new building will
be an outstanding local event of the
early 1940-50 decade. A 5000 900 ap-
preparation for furthering construc.
ton Of the building has been recon-
mended in the 1941 budget, trans
mitted to Congress January 4.
Opening of the new decade finds
work In Judiciary Square farther
advanced than in the new Municipal
Center. with several long-needed
building operations entering their
final stages. During the latter part
OF the past decade a 81 500 900 Police
Court building was constructed at
the northeast corner of Fifth and e
streets. 1t was occupied about q
year ago, when judges and court
oficials abandoned the unsightly
hre-trap on D street, which for
years had provided such a gloomy
setting for the administration Of
justice In the cases of petty offenders
and trafilc law violators.
The Municipal Court, Just about
as poorly housed, will move this year
into its $500 900 new home, now
under construction at the northwest
corner Of Fourth and E streets,
across Judiciary Square from the
new Police Court building. These
structures are balanced, symmetrical
units Of the new building center for
the District judicial system.
Also nearing completion, at the
southwest corner of Fourth and e
streets, is q new $780, Juvenile
Court building, which. In turn, will
balance the Court Of Appeals build
ing at the southeast corner Of Fifth
and e streets.
Completion and occupation Of
these new structures will give the
District, for the first time, a we'll
balanced, well-planned courts group.
In this respect, the Capital early in
the new decade will find itself the
peer Of the proudest cities after
suffering for years the blight Of
administering justice in some Of the
most unsightly, inadequate court
buildings in the country.
From the standpoint Of improved
housing conditions for the District
government, 1t now seems certain
that the 1o40-50 decade viii be the
most notable similar l1erind In thu