OLD AND NEW (RIGHT) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OFFICE BUILDINGS, SOUTH OF THE CAPITOL.

the rearrangement of the rooms. The modifications suggested by the Commission were included in a revised plan, which the Commission approved.

With this addition it is estimated that the Library of Congress can accommodate 10,000,000 volumes. Based on the estimated growth of the library during the past 28 years, this will provide space for the next century.

This Commission also approved plans for the extension of the main Library building on the east.

The unfortunate gilded dome (now toned down) of the Library, seeming to compete with the dome of the Capitol, was referred to in the report on the plan of 1901. Certain other changes in the architecture of the library have been suggested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This building represents the architecture of its day (1897) and its sculpture and mural paintings, as well as its art and manuscript collections, have given great impetus to Washington improvements.

The Commission of Fine Arts by law are excluded from dealings within the Capitol and the Library of Congress but are subject to the call of committees of Congress, and in response to such calls frequently have occasion to enter the sacred precincts of both buildings. Under a concurrent resolution, the Commission gave advice as to the dispersal of the forest of bronze and marble statues of all sizes that were taxing the foundations of Statuary Hall. At the same time the Commission made certain suggestions as to establishing standards, both historical and artistic, for the future.

The Folger Shakespeare Library: The Fulger Shakespeare Library, with its endowment, is to be recognized as one of the chief cultural features of Washington, a resort of scholars and a delight to visitors as well. The gift of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay Folger, it is administered by Amherst College, Mr. Folger's Alma Mater. The building was designed by Paul Cret, selected by the Consulting Architect, Alexander B. Trowbridge; with sculptures by John Gregory and Brenda Putnam. The architects had the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts.

CHAPTER V

THE TRIANGLE GROUP OF DEPARTMENTAL

BUILDINGS

During the administration of President Coolidge the need of new departmental buildings became irresistible. At the President's request a tentative program was prepared by the Commission of Fine Arts. Congress, through the Public Buildings Commission, of which Senator Smoot was the chairman, took up the matter vigorously and as a result the entire south side of Pennsylvania Avenue from the Treasury to the Capitol was purchased. The construction of the buildings was entrusted to the Secretary of the Treasury, Andrew W. Mellon, who appointed a board of architectural consultants, to each of whom he assigned one building. To the chairman of the board, Edward H. Bennett, representing Bennett, Parsons & Frost, was assigned the Independent Offices (Apex) Building and the design of the Great Plaza; to the Office of Supervising Architect of the Treasury (represented by Louis A. Simon) the Internal Revenue Building; to York & Sawyer (represented by Louis Ayres) the Department of Commerce Building (they being specified by Congress as winners in the competition of 1910); to Zantzinger, Borie & Medary the Department of Justice Building; to Bakewell & Brown (represented by Arthur J. Brown, Jr.) the Department of Labor and Interstate Commerce Commission Buildings; to Delano & Aldrich (represented by William A. Delano) the Post Office Department Building; and to John Russell Pope the Archives Building.

The work thus arranged for was pursued during the administration of President Hoover, and is being completed and the buildings are being occupied during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Both the location plans and the plans of the buildings. have been approved by the Commission of Fine Arts from time to time, after consultation with the officers of the Treasury Department and the architects individually and as the board of consultants.

The contracts made by the architects with sculptors and painters and landscape architects involved also the approval of this Commission. That portion of the work is still in progress.

While conforming to the general style of architecture set by President Washington and Secretary Jefferson in selecting designs

CONSTITUTION AVENUE VIEW OF THE TRIANGLE" GROUP OF DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS, SHOWING DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AT EXTREME LEFT, THEN
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION (CONNECTED), INTERNAL REVENUE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND ARCHIVES BUILDING.

THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING ADJOINS INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION BUILDING AND FACES PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.