Temple for Justice

Wreckers were last week invited to bid on the razing of two whole blocks of Washington buildings opposite the U. S. Capitol. Four apartment houses, 40 garages, and the old brick building where Congress met after the Capitol was burned by the British during the War of 1812, are to be destroyed. On the two blocks is to rise Architect Cass Gilbert's $9,740,000 edifice for the U. S. Supreme Court.

Last week Architect Gilbert showed the nation what he thought the Court's new home should look like: a classic temple of white stone 385 ft. deep, on each side of which abut lower rectangular wings. The temple-front is roofed to a slight peak above massive Corinthian columns, this portal and the wings to present a fac,ade 304 ft. wide.

Inside, offices for Justices and Court officials are grouped around garden courtyards. The Supreme Courtroom at the extremity is 64 ft. square, 30 ft. high, 60% bigger than the Court's present quarters. In the library stack rooms and two open shelf rooms, space is provided for 526,760 volumes. But the building will be plain. Said Mr. Gilbert: "There has been no intention of finishing the interior . . . with elaborate and expensive marble-work and excessive decoration, the design rather relying upon fine proportions and simplicity for the monumental effect desired."

He said also: "We have attempted to plan a building in keeping with Jefferson's ideals. . . . The building is designed for all time. Because of that fact, the work should not and cannot be carried forward as rapidly as is possible in the case of modern skyscrapers. Three years or more probably will be required for its erection."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.