The Sunday Oregonian., July 02, 1911, SECTION FIVE, Page 2, Image 56

TIIE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX. PORTLAND. JULY 2, 1911.
NEW FEDERAL BUILDINGS ARE MODELED ON IDEAL PLANS
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Group, Which WS Be Used by Departments of State, Commerce and Labor and Justice, Are to Cost $8,000,000. ,
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WASHINGTON. Julr 1. SpoUl.
The approTal of the National
Fin Arts Commission on June
1. 111. followed by ih formal arpro
ral of the -President, the Secretary of
the Treasury and the secretaries of the
three departments, fairly Inaugurates
what is not only the (treat est bulldln
project in Washington, but the great
est bull.llnj project in the country and
one of the greatest which the world
has ever seen, the construction of the
nulHing for the Department of State,
Commerce and Labor and Justice.
!'' this Is one of the few times In
the history of the world when a group
of such Importance has been conceired
and studied as a whole, each Individual
building subordinating itself to the
group. It Is this, rather than the ex
penditure of $8,000,000 (a cost not in
frequently exceeded by single Federal
or state buildings), which makes the
project remarkable.
The -Administration has had but one
end in rlew. the best final result ob
tainable a group composed of whole
units, harmonious In Itself, supple
menting the existing architecture of
.Washington.
Mir Is Convenient.
The site rhosrn by Congress is that
recommended by the McKim Commis
aion and approved by the National Fine
Arts Commission. It lies between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets and
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The drawings themselves therefore
represented an expenditure of nearly
$40,000. Thta expenditure falls upon
extends from Pennsylvania avenue
south to the Mall, which runs from the
Canltol to the Washington monument.
The Department of Justice building
will occupy the north end tf this si.
Its principal front . on Pennsylvania
avenue, diagonally across from the
south front of the Treasury.
The Department of Commerce and
Labor, a building of the same width,
but of murli greater length north and
south, comes next, extending nearly to
the Mall.
The State Department, flanking the
Croup on the other end. will face south
on the Mall, its front on a line with the
south front of the National Museum, a
line corresponding with that upon
which the completed Department of
Agriculture faces on the south side of
the Mall opposite. The site for the
State -Department has not yet been au
thorized by Congress-
Competition Are Ucld.
To obtain designs for the buildings
three separate competitions were in
augurated by the Treasury Depart
ment and held simultaneously. Sixty
of the leading architects of the country
were Invited to submit plans. 20 for
each ibullding: 57 sets of six and seven
drawings each were actually sent In
some 360-odd drawings one for every
day In the year. Trobably the 20 best
ets cost their authors more than $1000
apiece and the rest an average of $300.
the architects and Is not borne by the
Government.
Three separate Juries of architects
were chosen and assembled for the
enormous task of winnowing out this
mans of material and rendering de
cisions so just as to be acceptable to
the officials of the departments and the
pubc and to justify themselves even
to the unsuccessful competitors.
Within a week of the submission of
the plans three telegrams were dis
patched by Franklin McVeagh, Secre
tary of the Treasury, announcing to
the winning architects the Jury's de
cision. The design of the building for the
Department of Justice was awarded to
Donn Barber; the Department of Com
merce and Labor to York & Sawyer;
the Department of State to Arnold W.
Brunner. These three architects, were
then called together by the Secretary
of the Treasury and given Instructions
to develop their Individual buildings
with the heads of the departments for
which they are Intended, having con
stantly in view at the same time the
reconciliation of the designs to each
other, and the harmony of the group as
a whole.
The group was then drawn for the
first time, in which the three buildings
were placed side by side upon their
relative grades, their relation to the
Treasury, the Monument, the Municipal
building and their surroundings
studied and the buildings themselves
modified at each step to conform
closely to each other.
In exterior deBlgn the three build
ings are similar In character, each
employing -columns three stories in
height set upon a windowed wall, and
architectural "basements." This wall
is one story high in the case of the
end buildings and two stories high
In the central one, thus correcting the
dip of the ground and raising the
three colonnades to the same level.
While ornamental In appearance the
buildings are of the utmost simplicity
and no fancied needs of "architectural
expression" have been allowed to in
terfere with the practical requirements
of lighting and arrangement.
From Pennsylvania avenue on the
north, the principal feature of the
front will be the entrance portico of
the Department of Justice; from the
Monument grounds or the Mall, that
of the State Department.
The building of Commerce and Labor
forming the connecting link, is a sim
ple rectangle. Its lies being unbroken
by any dominating feature. Its main
entrance Is on Fifteenth street, but
Its entrances for employes are from
the sidewalk of Fourteenth street, on
a level with the carllnes.
At the same time each architect was
rearranging and reassigning the areas
of his plans, working out in detail tne
requirements of the department to be
provided for and planning to meet not
only the needs of the moment, but the
probable necessities of the next ten
years, s'nee it is unjustifiable to erect
any Federal building which it can be
foreseen is likely to prove inadequate
within a shorter period.
Moreover, in designing the buildings,
every effort is being made to arrange
and construct them as Immense shells,
every part of which shall be equally
light, serviceable and availabler to di
vide them by secondary partitions as
light as possible containing no pipes
or flues which jnake their removal dif
ficult: In short, to so arrange that
every change or development In the or
ganization and the consequent reassign
ment of space in a department may be
made with the least friction and with
no Interference on the part of the
structure itself.
In all these buildings every provision I
is being made for the health and com
fort of the employes general locker
rooms, toilets, etc., being provided in
connection with their entrances. In
each case there is also a provision for
general files and storage spaces, and
every effort is made to standardize and
unify their requirements. While the
question of materials is not decided as
yet. it is likely, that white marble will
be used like the House and Senate of
fice buildings.
Saving to Be Made.
The completion of these new depart
ments will result In great economies to
the Government; not only will rent be
saved on all the miscellaneous build
ings now occupied, but the organization
will be for the first time properly ar
ranged and adequately housed.
The State Department will no longer
have space with the Departments of
War and Navy spreading into a series
of outlying buildings. Justice will be
removed from Its series of private
houses, "and the Department of Com
merce and Labor will collect Its forces
from the locations in which they are
scattered throughout the city.
When completed this grcup will go
far toward realizing that ideal of the
city planners, who wish to devote the
whole space south of Pennsylvania
avenue, between it and the Mall from
the Capitol to the Treasury, to Govern
ment buildings. Already the Botanical
Gardens, the National Museum, the
Postoffice and the Municipal building
occupy this area.
The following is the report of the
Commission of Fine Arts: ; "The Com
mission of Fine Arts, at its meeting
yesterday, gave most careful consid
eration to the plans for the new build
ings for the Departments of State, of
Justice and of Commerce and Labor, In
accordance with the President's wishes.
I am directed to state that the Com
mission approves the general prelim
inary plans for the group of buildings
for the Departments of State, Justice
and of Commerce and Labor, with the
understanding that, in the preparation
of the more detailed designs, the arch
itects will be free to develop such im
provements as may be suggested by
study on a larger scale umier the di
rection of their respective com
sions and that the Commission of Fine
Arts may have the opportunity to con
sult with the architects and to express
an opinion upon the detailed designs
before their final adoption."
NEW YORK'S "SAFE AND SANE" FOURTH
TO BE MOST PRETENTIOUS AFFAIR
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Jews of East Side Realize Importance of Making Their First Officially Recognized Celebration of American
Independence Day Signal Occasion, and Are Making Their Plans for Tuesday Accordingly.
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iFW YORK. July 1. (Special.)
-! and sane" celebration of
ppendenr Day next Tuesday,
will he on a more pretentious scale
than last year, when the plan, as out
lined by Mayor Gaynor. had Its first
official tet. There will be patriotic
exercises all over town, and the com
mittee on arrangement, which bas-
been hard at work for several weeks.
. effected a really attractive pro
gramme. The main entertainment wiH be the
official celebration In the City Hall.
Mayor (",. nor I to preside and the
speakers win include Governor Dix.
Controller Prendergast. and President
ft the Foard of Aldermen Mitchel. The
Police Band will lead the Parade of Na
tions, and a!o escort patriotic societies
from Fraunees' Tavern to the scene of
tSe exercUe. During the exercises, a
German singing society of 400 voices
wtil contribute patriotic airs, while a
chorus of 2" from the 'Labor Lyceum
will render a new National anthem.
Victor Herberf Is expected to lead the
chorus.
There will be a historic relebratlon
in Washington Square and various
city parks, and separate celebrations
for Italians. Hebrews. Hungarians and
Bohemians.
4fViUh Clllzeu to Celebrate.
On the East Side, a neighborhood
relebratlon will he held by the Jewish
citizens, and tbe co-operation of Indi
viduals and organisations has been se
cured. One of the most Interesting
features of this portion of the celebra
tion will he a street parade. In which
the various clubs and societies of the
neighborhood will be represented. The
Declaration of Independence will he
read, while tte most important slnfing
societies In that section of town will
furnish the music.
Another Interesting feature will be
the tableaux representing Important In
cidents In American history. These will
furnish an opportunity for the chlldrenj
of the neighborhood and or the orphan
asylums to participate.
"The Jews of the East Side." says the
committee having this part of the exer
rcises in charge, "realize the Importance
of making their first officially recog
nized celebration of the American Inde
pendence day a signal occasion, and
judging from appearances. It will be
one of the most Interesting celebra
tions of the kind that ever took place
In the city." -
Novelty Works Well.
Police Commissioner Waldo, who has
Introduced many novelties Into the eon
duct of his department, seems to have
struck another good thing In his "sta
tionary post" plan. It has been tested
In one precinct, and the chances are
that It soon will be extended to the en
tire city.
"The stationary post" has met with
approval of many business men. Maps
are distributed to business men and
householders, showing where they can
find patrolmen at all hours of the day
or night.
For the purpose of operation, the
posts are doubled up. Two men start
out to cover posts 1 and 2. for example.
One patrolman travels over the terri
tory for two hours, while the other man
remains at a certain designated corner.
After two hours they relieve each other,
and the walker lias a chance to rest.
In many cases of murder or riot,
valuable ttme has been lost In hunting
up the "man on post." Under the new
plan. Mr. Waldo asserts, this difficulty
will be eliminated.
For examole. some aerions crime han- i
pens at the corner of Broadway and 1
Eighty-second street. 'The person who
discovers it knows that he will And
patrolman at Broadway and Eighty-
fourth streets. So he hurries there with
the news. That policeman, by signal
Ing with his club, can raise his part
ners on both sides, and have a fair
sized force on the spot before the sta
tlon-house reserves could reach the
scene.
Of course "stationary" policemen are
expected to leave their beats In case of
emergency, but like fire apparatus, they
are expected to make all speed possible
In getting back.
Yesterday was graduation day in the
New York grammar schools, and a new
high mark was set. According to the
figures furnished by Superintendent
William H. Maxwell. 18.655 boys and
girls received diplomas, the largest on
record In any American city at any
time. An unusually high general aver
age was shown, for only six per cent
failed to pass the examinations, the
total registration being 19.891. A year
ago 18.S52 took the examinations, and
10 per cent, or li.fi S passed. The num
ber of graduates by boroughs Is as fol
lows: Manhattan. T74J: Brooklyn. 705$;
Bronx, 210; Queens. 1514. and Rich
mond, 3S9.
Jersey Mosquito Invasion Doe.
Professor John W. Dobbins, hesd of
the Newark Board of Health, is re
sponsible for the pleasant statement
that we may expect sn invasion of Jer
sey mosquitoes within few days.
The professor, being a New Jersey
scientist, is naturally an authority on
the subject of mosquitoes. He figures
that the rains of the past few weeks,
although welcomed by farmers, is
bound to cost the city residents much
trouble, as the Insects have their eyes
on Broadway.
The breeding place of these Delta -Is-
the Hackensack Meadows. Just across
the river and between Jersey City and
Newark. In happier years (that Is bap
pier for the mosquitoes) they have been
born there and then wafted to New
Tork by the first strong west wind.
After which it has been up to them to
"make good."
The only ray of sunshine In the situ
ation, according to Professor Dobbins.
Is the fact that such effective work of
extermination has been done during the
past year on the Hackensack Meadows
that the mosquito brood which Is com
ing will not be as large or as vicious
as that of former years, and that the
Insects will not hang around so long to
pester humanity.
Ths reason for this last theory Is
that the constitution of the mosqultles
has been undermined by gasoline, which
has been spread with a lavish hand
upon the marshes, and that only the
"young automobiles" will be able to
mingle In our midst. And then per
haps a, gasoline bite will not be as bad
as a straight old-fashioned mosquito.
Real Comedian Scores.
Many of our best comedian envy
John Scott an aged man. bent with
three score and IS years. He made the
whole town laugh, and It only cost him
one dollar. .
Scott is the driver of a Duane-street
horse car and he was arrested on a
charge-of speeding. Anyone who has
ever ridden cn the line wonders how
Magistrate Corrlgan had the heart to
Impose a fine.
The slowest transportation in the
world Is furnished on that road. In fact.
It has been said that "the horses are
so old and decrepit that they are
ashamed to meet one another, and go up
Chambers street and come back on
Duane."
In court, Scott was deeply affected.
In a feeble voice, which trembled with
Indignation, be said:
"I have been driving cars for 43
years, and the last 30 of them, were
spent on this line. For the past is
years I have driven the same team, and
this Is the first time that any police
man has made such a charge against
me. Maybe I was speeding, but I've
never been arrested for It before."
"As a magistrate, said Magistrate
Corrlgan, "I must frown on this prac
tice of our horse cars dashing nuner
and thither, there and yon. about the
streets of our fair city. Life and limb
must be protected. Scott, although
your offense is a serious one, your years
save you. I will only fine you $1."
Ex-Assemblyman "Tom" Barry, one
of the old residents of the district, In
commenting on the case said:
"I have lived here, man and boy, for
47 years, but never did I see a Duane
street horsecar go faster than an
anemic cripple could walk. Perhaps
this chap hit it up to two muea an
hour, but I can hardly believe it.
HOME SHOULD BE SACRED
INCLOSURE, SAYS WRITER
Rev. Madison C. Peters, in Woman's Talks, Declares Hearts Make Homes
in America Today.
"WET" CLUB IS OPPOSED
Iiloyd-George's Brotlir Frowns on
Mixing Drinks and Golf.
LONDON. July 1. (Special.) Some
of the bold spirit which enabled Lloyd
George to make a winning fight for his
famous budget inspires nis oromer,
William George, who is up In arms
against a proposal to make the Cric-
cleth Golf Club a "wet" Institution.
Crlccieth Is the most famous town In
Wales, as It Is the home of the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, and the golf
club where he relaxes from cares of
office has been "dry" ever since It was
established. Now a majority of the ex
ecutive committee wish the club regis
tered for the sale of Intoxicants, under
the Dlea that some visiting golfers de-
talre to Irrigate their throats at lunch
time with sometning stronger man
water, and that considerable profit
would accrue from the sale of strong
liquors.
William George and other "teetotal"
members of the club Immediately issued
a manifesto condemning the proposal,
and prophesying disastrous results if
a "wet" policy were Introduced. Friend
ly Interest In the trouble at Criccieth
is taken by prominent men all over the
country, as golf is the favorite pastime
of eminent politicians. ,
His Economical Reward.
St. Louis Republican.
"He Raved my life." declared the
millionaire. "Hand me a fountain pen,
somebody."
"Going to make out s check""
"No: going to indorse him for a
Carnegie .medal."
BY MADIBON C. PETERS.
THAT was a fine saying of Hare:
"To Adam, Paradise was home;
. to the good among his descendants
home is Paradise." Poe said the most
sorrowful word in our language Is
"nevermore," and Whltter sings,
Of all the sad words of tongue or pen.
The saddest are these: It might have been.'
However, there Is one word more
dreary still "homeless." What a dirge
of sorrow In Hood's lines:
Oh! It was r.itlful;
Near a whole city full
Home she had none.
Yet there are many who like Byron's
hero, have houses and yet no homes:
He entered In his house, his home no more;
For without hearts there is no home.
And there are many who have but a
hut, who find in. it the pleasures of
noma:
We need no power or splendor.
Wide halls or lordly dome:
The good, the true, the tender.
These form the wealth of home.
The Home a Sacred Enclosure.
I have somewhere read of a young
wife who set apart a room into which
none went except herself and her hus
band it was the most cheerful room In
the house; softest chairs, fairest pic
tures and best books were there.
Though little used, it represented ever
to her mind the sacredness of the rela
tion to which her marriage had intro
duced her.
It was a fond romantic spirit which
designed such an experiment, whiclf
you may not care for and which may
not be possible to you, but there should
be such an apartment in your heart,
or life. .
Guard your home, keep your own
secrets. Keep any estrangement or
discord sacredly within your hearts.
Let vour family be a sacred enclosure.
a hallowed shrine; teU the Bins and sor-
rows only to God and guard them from
the intrusion of the most intimate as
sociates. Viewpoint of Children Seen.
The number of people is Increasingly
large who look upon children as actual
nuisances and adopt the sentiments of
Beaumont and Fletcher who said in re
gard to children that "they are like '
bells rung backwards, nothing but
noise and giddiness." There is e, dis
agreeable side to children, but this
rough husk of their nature hides tne
golden kernels of value beneath. There
are "angels" in their natures which
make true the poets' lines:
The history of Paradise
To woman's faith is clear.
For happy childhood ever brings
The Eden vision near.
A man has generally formed his
habits before marriage, and she Is a
wise woman who will gratify some of
his whims instead of opposing them
patronize him a good deal on small
points. Most men have li'ttle crotchety
notions about which they are particur
lar which may be of themselves of no
moment, but if continually thwarted
they will soon be looked upon as
weighty matters and will lead to grave
disputes.
Guessed His Profession.
Washington Star.
"Can you tell me St-here your hus
band wenff" asked the bill collector.
"No," replied the anxious-looking
woman.
"Or when he will be back?''
"No."
"But you're sure he will be back
sometime?"
"Not entirely."
"Well," remarked the collector wear-
lily, "if the firm takes my advice thie
is the lest time It will extend credit to
an aviator."