Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-18
SUPREME COURT SITE
East Washington Citizens Urge an Early
Selection.
Cloud Cast on NeighbOrinE Real
Estate by Delay in Reaching
n Decision.

The House committee on public buildings
and grounds today gave a hearing to prop
erty owners and representatives OF the East
Washington Citizens Associa ton on the
Senate bill to provide 4 site and building
for the United States Supreme Court near
the Congressional Library building. Those
present included VIM. C. Dodge, ex-Gov
Ordway, W. A. Croffut, F. T. Dieudonne
E. j. Foy, w. P. O'Conner, E. NJ. Willis,
NJ I. Weller, Mrs. Easily Smith, Hersey
Monroe.
MIR. Ordway, addressing the committed
said he was a property owner in the square
where it is proposed to erect the Supreme
Court building, corner lot, which he re-
CARDS as the best in the city. He would
prefer to keep his lot, but as the movement
is so powerful in FAVOR of the plan of TAX
ing the square he will not oppose the pro-
jcct.
MIR. Dodge Urges Early Action.
Mr.. w. c. Dodge, representing the East
Washington Citizens Association, address
ed the committee. He SAID there was no
question as to the necessity for building
for the United States Supreme Court. That
is admitted on all sides. The only question
now is to find a site and authorize the con-
struction of the building.
Mr.. Dodge said that to delay acquisition
of a site would be to add to the ultimate
expense of the project. The present is a
good time to get the site proposed near the
Congressional Library building; it will be
good bargain for the government.
Put the Supreme Court on that square"
said Mr.. Dodge and the United States
will have a trio of public buildings unsur-
passed in the world"
Mr.. Dodge spoke of the cloud cast upon
the property in the vicinity proposed to be
utilized caused by the likelihood that the
government will some time need the prop
erty and will take it. He said that until
Congress decides one way or the other that
the government will will not condemn
sites for public buildings the cloud will
continue to rest over the property.
IF, as all agree" said Mr.. Dodge 'it is
to be taken by the government sooner or
later, every consideration dictates that it
should be taken now.
Mr.. Weller called attention of the COM
mittee to the memorial presented by Rep
resentative Grout. and which is published
elsewhere in The Star.
Effect Of Uncertainty.
Mr.. w. A. Croffut, representing property
owners, said that the perpetual tumult
about taking a site for government build
ings in this neighborhood has resulted viz
tually in putting mortgage on the private
houses in the neighborhood. Many of the
houses which are offered for rent are kent
vacant by the uncertainty about the gov
ernment's intentions. One property owner
wants to put up pile of flats, but has
been deferred by the threat of the govern
ment condemning the land.
Mr.. Linton, representing Justice Field
who owns property in the square in cues
ton, said Justice Field was not anxious
to dispose of his property, but would not
oppose parting with it for the purpose con-
templated.
The committee came ono conclusion to-
day, but will await report from the SUBJ
| committee, consisting Of MIR, Mercer. Mr.
Mr