Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-07-19
$4,000 in Extras
Added 10 Courthouse,
Still Below Estimate

for the new District Courthouse,
now more than two-thirds COM
iplete. since the plans were ap-
proved, it was learned today.
Even SO, the cost is running
some 81 million below the author
lied limit of $18,665 900 for the
building. Public Buildings Service
officials reported.
They said that less than $12
million has been earmarked. This
includes the 1891 .686 contract
cost of the courtroom building
proper. FL. 49,.
The authorized cost takes in the
50 ,420, 900 value fixed on the site,
constituting the Districts share
Of the expense.
PBS spokesman said they do not
consider $4,000 worth of "ex-
tras" added to the layout since
the contract was awarded an UNI
usual percentage for the job.
Judges Rostrum Enlarged.
Although the building is gener-
ally in line with an approved
manual for United States Courts,
some changes have been made.
For instance, in 1913, when the
building was designed, there were
only six judges on the United
States Court Of Appeals. Only
seven places were provided on the
lrostrum of the courtroom. Now
there are nine judges. so that fea-
ture had to be enlarged.
Some Of the judges wanted
showers in their suites. These were
added to the plans. Several pros
pective tenants of the new build
ing wanted doors changed. Most of
these changes were made before
the actual work began. however.
1t also was decided to partition
of a large open space into a
suite of rooms for visiting judges.
| But keeping watch over all
changes. and having the final say.
too, is the Design and Construc-
| ton Division of the PBS.
| If there's ever been a building
put up which is unitarian rather
than ornamental, this it," said
Chief Judge Harold M. Stephens
IOf the appellate court.
2-Story Courtrooms.
Courtrooms of the new building
will be two stories high. One, on
the sixth floor, will be double size,
suitable for ceremonies and spe-
cial events. It is known as Court
room No. 20.
/ 1t will feature four 41a-foot high
statues depicting the lawgivers
Moses, Scion. Justinian and Ham
murabi. by Sidney Waugh of New
York.
Outside the building will be
trylon by C. Paul Jennewein of
New York. On two faces. it will
portray articles of the Bill of
Rights. and on the third, the
Great Seal of the United States,
with excerpts from the Constitu-
ton and the Declaration of In
dependence. It was designed by
Edward c. Rust of Memphis.
/ Also designed are a number of
metal plaques to form decorative
features around various doors.
! Martin Grieve, job superinten-
dent for the Charles H. Tompkins
Co., said the courthouse is "prac-
tically on schedule" He said
there has been some delay be-
cause of materials scarcity, in
Icluding one tie-up on electrical
fixtures.
Plastering Started.
Right now. the contractors are
engaged mainly in plastering
setting marble and preparing for
the paneling, which will be mostly
walnut.
But Mr.. Grieve said he expects
some of the tenants to move in
Iabout the first of next year.
They're crowded." he said. II
realize that"
I Judge Stephens fervently
agreed.
District Court" he said, "has
been a shambles. The worst hous-
ling in America for the courts has
been in the District.